The Dragon’s Den is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in a stunning historic building that is home to Pittsburgh’s most innovative programs for children (K-12) of different backgrounds and abilities.

We believe in the preservation of our history, architecture, and past as an inspiration to build proud, strong, and community-oriented young adults.

Our Board

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead

The Dragon’s Den’s Board is supported by a cadre of very enthusiastic trustees who believe the world and our communities can be improved by people like you. We have a variety of backgrounds and abilities, including corporate CEOs, educators, engineers, and marketing, sales, accounting, and public relations professionals. Our passion is to use our abilities and determination to make the Dragon’s Den dream a reality – a beacon of what is possible in Pittsburgh.

Our Founders and Their Inspiration

The idea for the Dragon's Den was "conceived" 14 years ago during the Founders' honeymoon. Bill and Giulia Petrucci didn't ask for gifts for their wedding but for contributions to deliver to a mission in a small town in Patagonia, Commodoro Rivadavia in southern Argentina. They raised over $19,000, the amount Father Corti needed to finish building another school to serve poor children. During their honeymoon, Bill and Giulia were deeply affected by what they witnessed - the strong determination of Father Corti and his deep faith in God and humankind. Through his lifelong devotion to children who lived on the sidewalks among dogs and dirt, he was giving them hope and a future.

Bill and Giulia were married in Italy, and their inspiring story appeared in a local newspaper. Click on the arrow on the right to find out more...

Bill and Giulia wanted to share their love and happiness with the less fortunate.

They raised over $19,000, the amount Father Corti needed to finish building another school to serve poor children.

Nobody could resist Padre Corti's love and determination to give a better life to "his" children.

Another school for Father Corti's children!

Bathrooms at the mission were the best quality, granite, marble... such a stark contrast with the outside poverty... Why so much ? Giulia asked Father Corti.

"Because, my children were born on the street among garbage and dogs. They have never seen anything beautiful. I need to teach them how to dream before I can ask them to work hard to achieve those dreams".

Beautiful stray dogs and

children lived together ...

But when Father Corti talked...

... children listened,

and listened ...

and listened to the one who cared.

Father Corti labored tirelessly to break the cycle and make a better life for his children, and

gave them the gift of dreaming their own lives, different than their parents or relatives.

Bill and Giulia asked the children to make drawing to thank all the people who cared for them and made donations for their schools.

The theme was : "What I dream to become when I grow up".

"What I want to become when I grow up is a great human being who understands that there are children that today have nothing to eat". This drawing became the couple's Christmas Card that year.

Walking in town with Father Corti was like walking with a legend. Everybody was one of his student, and

wanted to share their successful story with us.

Thank you letter from Padre Corti.

Our Partners

Who Supported Us from the Beginning

The Dragon’s Den is an ambitious project that would not be possible without the help and support of many people, organizations, and businesses that believed in us and in our founders from the start.

A deep thank you to the following people and organizations who have publicly expressed their support:

Mrs. Betty Esper, Mayor of Homestead Borough
Mr. Lloyd Cunningham, and the whole Homestead Borough Council
Mr. Edward Wehrer, Superintendent of Steel Valley School District
Mrs. Josephine B. Moore, Co-Founder & President, Emerita The Neighborhood Academy
Mr. Jonathan M. Cuniak, Principal of St. Therese School – Munhall, PA
Sr. Lynn Rettinger, Principal of Sacred Heart School -Shadyside, PA
Mrs. Cathrine Lesko, President of Steel Valley Enterprise Zone Corporation
Mrs. Hilda Pang Fu, Founder and President, Luminari, a 501(c)(3) founded to “foster activities that broaden minds, inspire innovations, and promote community engagement.”
Mrs. C. Lesko, Licensed Supervisor of R.V. Anderson Funeral Home, Inc. – Munhall, PA
Mrs. Denise Kelly and Mary Ellen, friends of Homestead

…and many, many individuals from Homestead, PA, in particular, a special thanks to Mrs Paula Glancy, the crossing guard that works at St. Mary Magdalene’s corner and sends us inspirational texts each morning. 🙂

Our Benefactors

Businesses with a Dragon’s Heart

Thank you for the following businesses that generously contributed time, services, and donations:

Sr. Melanie di Pietro Esq. – Sister of Charity. Thank you for all your hard probono work!
Lucio and Patrizia – Parco Avventura Resinelli. Thank you dear friends!
Valentina Piccolo – Structural Engineer and Architect – Thank you for your stunning 3D rendering of our Dragon’s Den!.
Fagnelli Heating and Cooling – The best partner our founders could have for such a massive project!
Levin Furniture – For donating our furniture. Thanks to you, we will be the most elegant and comfortable 501(c)(3) organization in the area!
Berner International – Thank you for providing the air curtains at our entrance to keep us warm!
I -Squared, Inc – Thank you for taking care of all our IT challenges!
BoardBookit – Thank you for the best board portal software a nonprofit could dream of!
DePardo Baldacci – Thank you for supporting us in all our accounting needs!
Goldberg, Kamin, and Garvin – Thank you for supporting our first steps!
Jim Watson Engineering – Thank you for sharing your immense experience with us!
Barth Olds Engineering Consultants, Inc – Thank you for supporting us!
RSSC Architecture – Thank you for the excellent work!
GH Roofing – Thank you for keeping us dry!
Imagebox – Thank you for your patience and support!