Pittsburgh-based Evolve Coaching named Champion in Action by Citizens Bank and Trib Total Media

Evolve Coaching is a champion.

The organization provides neurodivergent individuals with personalized coaching, social groups, and mentorship that support independent living, college success, and career readiness. It has been recognized with the Citizens’ Champions in Action award.

The award is given to support nonprofit organizations that address social challenges facing their communities.

Evolve Coaching will receive a $50,000 “Champion in Action” grant to “advance employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities in Pittsburgh,” according to a news release.

Neurodivergent describes people whose brain functions and processing styles differ from what is considered typical or neurotypical, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD and dyslexia.

The award was presented jointly by Citizens Bank and Trib Total Media on Tuesday at Future Camp, which features classes on animation, sound design and script writing. Campers also work on a project held at the camp at Winchester Thurston School in Shadyside.

Citizens chose Evolve Coaching “for its pioneering work to expand employment pathways for individuals with diverse abilities.”

The recognition comes close to the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, which represents the ongoing importance of workforce inclusion and accessibility.

The funding will support employment coaching, employer trainings and stipends for participants in their Film Apprenticeship Program and in future Future Camps, said Heather Conroy, executive director and co-founder of Evolve Coaching.

“Our small but mighty nonprofit is devoted to championing inclusion and success for disabled and neurodivergent people in the Pittsburgh region,” said Conroy.

Conroy said the award comes at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth as it is renovating its future headquarters, the Evolve Coaching Inclusion Center in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood. It will house a gallery for First Fridays in Garfield and other art events, a media space to learn to capture and edit video, and have space for a new program of independent living training.

Evolve Coaching will receive promotional support to help raise awareness and volunteer support from Citizens colleagues. Twice a year, the bank selects one nonprofit in each of its nine major markets to receive support aligned with its “Sustainability and Impact Priorities: Fostering Strong Communities, Building the Workforce of the Future, and Supporting Positive Climate Impact.”

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in the workforce,” said Mark Rendulic, Pittsburgh market president of Citizens, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to recognize Evolve Coaching as a Champion in Action and support their efforts to create a more inclusive and resilient economy in Pittsburgh through career training, job placement and workplace accessibility.”

Since the program’s launch 23 years ago, Citizens has awarded more than $12 million in unrestricted grants and promotional and volunteer support to more than 400 Champions in Action nonprofit winners across the bank’s footprint. In Pittsburgh, 57 nonprofits have been recognized, receiving more than $1.7 million in funding.

Conroy said the money is needed as they helped 411 people last year and that number most likely will grow to 450 in 2025.

”Many of the people we serve are unemployed or underemployed,” said Conroy, a Hempfield High School graduate. “We can use this money to make sure they have access to support.

“It’s about building confidence to take those scary first steps to live in a dorm or apartment or start that first job.”

Details: evolve-coaching.org