Homestead’s historic St. Mary Magdalene Church now holds Dragon’s Den, a bold, 501(c)(3) non-profit providing transformative learning environments through the use of a state-of-the-art, two-level therapeutic and educational challenge course, including a 160-foot zipline and 20-foot climbing wall. Our course is designed to engage youth of diverse backgrounds and abilities to overcome challenges in themselves, their communities, and the world.

 

 

 

 

We are excited to say we are listed as a 2021 top-rated nonprofit through Great Nonprofits and received the 2022 Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid.org!

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 enthusiastic trustees who believe the world and our communities can be improved by a small group of thoughtful committed citizens. The Board members have a variety of backgrounds and abilities, including corporate CEOs, educators, engineers, and marketing, sales, accounting, and public relations professionals. Their passion is using their abilities and determination to make the Dragon’s Den dream a reality – a beacon of what is possible in Allegheny County and beyond.

BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Aaron Johnson – Chair
Lois Bron – Vice Chair
Lisa Earle – Treasure
Carrie Hill Machuga – Secretary
Georgiana Riley – Trustee
William Petrucci – Trustee
Joan Kamin – Trustee
Mary Nesby – Trustee
Dan Kelly – Trustee
Robert Powell – Trustee
Buddy Hobart – Trustee
Rachel Hailey – Trustee

The Dragon’s Den is an ambitious project that would not be possible without the assistance of many organizations, foundations, businesses, and individuals who have believed in us through the years.

Our Partners

Who Supported Us for Many Years

Our deepest thanks to those who have joined forces with us:

  • Foster Love Project
  • Venture Outdoors
  • MUSA
  • Greater Valley Community Services
  • Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
  • Allegheny HealthChoices Inc.
  • Tickets for Kids Charities
  • Mentoring Partnership
  • Literacy Pittsburgh
  • Steel Valley School District
  • Propel Homestead
  • Propel Hazelwood

Our Benefactors

Giving with a Dragon’s Heart

Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who have generously contributed time, services, and donations:

  • Adventure Network
  • Awesome Foundation
  • Mrs. Betty Esper, Mayor of Homestead Borough
  • Mr. Lloyd Cunningham, and the whole Homestead Borough Council
  • Levin Furniture
  • Berner International
  • BoardBookit
  • Goldberg, Kamin, and Garvin
  • Lucio and Patrizia from Parco Avventura Resinelli
  • Sr. Melanie di Pietro Esq. and the Sisters of Charity

Our Supporters

Support That Allows Our Dragons to Soar

Our unending gratitude goes out to all of our generous donors who have believed in the Dragon’s Den’s mission:

Fire-Breathing Dragons ($200,000+)
  • Mr. Robert Levine and Dr. Kerry Bron
  • Jefferson Regional Foundation
Soaring Dragons ($100,000-$199,999)
  • Mrs. & Mr. Georgiana and Bob Riley
  • The Department of Human Services
Floating Dragons ($50,000-$99,999)
  • Heinz Endowment
Gliding Dragons ($20,000-$49,999)
  • Buddy Hobart
Hovering Dragons ($5,000-$19,999)
  • Mrs. Lisa Olszak Zumstein (former chair) and Dr. Martin Earle