In Summer 2013, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies welcomed five students as its inaugural Youth Philanthropy Interns. This eight-week program was made possible through a grant from The Heinz Endowments and is based on its long-running similar program in the Pittsburgh area. Throughout the course of their internship, students assessed community needs through research, site visits and interviews. They determined that the region would benefit from a stronger educational program aimed at preparing students for jobs in Bedford, Cambria and Somerset counties and – with $25,000 to award — issued a request for proposals to build a program that will connect students, parents and businesses to meet this objective in a cohesive, sustainable and measurable way.