October Non-Profit of the Month: The Challenge Program
Established in 2003, The Challenge Program has grown from a small, start-up non-profit into a regional force – driving much needed support to our community’s youth education programs and workforce opportunities.
The Challenge Program’s mission is to motivate high school students to develop the habits required to succeed in school and in their careers by building business/education partnerships. Essentially, The Challenge Program exists to help students understand the importance of their education, community impact, and reliability while supporting them by creating relationships with their future employers.
When The Challenge Program first started 23 years ago, there was one singular school and one sponsor involved with the organization. Today, the program has grown and evolved into a statewide program, becoming a “workforce engine” connecting business and education. In 2025, The Challenge Program now works with approximately 150 schools and about 90 businesses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They have developed relationships with fifteen (15!) schools in Westmoreland County alone.
The Challenge Program inspires students to take their education and futures seriously and motivates them to develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce in five key areas. These areas are: academic improvement, attendance, STEM, community service, and academic excellence. One unique aspect for their organization is they financially reward students that reflect these five key categories. In fact, The Challenge Program has given $6.5 million+ to students in the program, rewarding their hard work and dedication to success in the classroom and community.
Because of the nature of their existence, The Challenge Program is an active member of the Westmoreland County Chambe of Commerce, as they continue to develop new relationships with employers who need to develop young, talented individuals to become the next generation of our community’s workforce. Their program is crucial to Westmoreland County as we strive to bring more employers and job opportunities here, and the Challenge Program is helping develop young, reliable workers in a variety of different fields.
Thank you, Challenge Program, for the hard work that you do, and the impact you have on our local communities. Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition as the Westmoreland Chamber’s Non-Profit of the Month!
