PSVP Wins “Fast Pitch” at SVPI International Conference in Dallas, Texas

Posted by on November 5th, 2009 in General, Investments Comments Disabled
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“There are lots of great ideas incubating around the network all the time – programs of both SVPs and investees that are ripe for replication. Learn about the best of these and find out how to bring them to your community.” – Dallas SVPI Conference Agenda

Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners (PSVP), a partnership of philanthropic-minded individuals who invest their time, expertise and capital in nonprofits serving at-risk youth, was recently recognized at the Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) Conference in Dallas, Texas.

“PSVP is dedicated to impacting at-risk children in our region,” said Tessa Nicholson, Vice-Chair of PSVP. “During the recent international conference, a “Fast Pitch” event was held that involved each Social Venture Partner organization from 24 cities around the country and internationally “pitching” their most innovative and successful investment to the audience. Members recognized Pittsburgh for its SNAP™ program model, which PSVP Partner Tom Canfield brought to Pittsburgh in 2007. With his passion, an $8,800 grant was leveraged into a $6 million initiative that has impacted hundreds of at-risk youth.”

SNAP™ is a cognitive-behavioral strategy that helps children and parents regulate angry feelings by getting them to stop, think, and plan positive alternatives before they act impulsively. The strategy was developed in the late 1970’s for use in a classroom by the former Earlscourt Child and Family Centre, Toronto, Canada.
In 2006, PSVP Partner Tom Canfield set out on a personal mission to find the best possible program to keep troubled kids out of trouble. With an $8,800 grant from PSVP, Tom brought SNAP™ to Pittsburgh and in 15 short months, with the help of the United Way and Allegheny County, Tom leveraged $6 million to start 4 pilot programs and undertake a 10 year study of the kids in the program. The program works with boys between the ages of 6-10 who have already encountered significant trouble with the law or within school and is currently being piloted in three locations in Allegheny County – Holy Family Institute, Auberle, and an Auberlie location in Homestead.

Pittsburgh Partners who attended the SVPI conference in Dallas, Texas included Tom Canfield, Tessa Nicholson and John Denny.