New monthly series connects youth, health services, local businesses and nonprofits

On Saturday, March 14, from noon to 4 p.m., downtown Philipsburg will debut a new monthly event built around one idea: if you want a stronger community, start by listening to young people.

Second Saturdays will take place every second Saturday of the month, beginning with the March 14 kickoff event themed “Easter Gras,” Philipsburg’s annual Mardi Gras Celebration, moved a bit closer to Easter this year in hopes of better weather.

Organizers hope the series becomes a steady draw for families from across Centre County and surrounding communities. Downtown restaurants will feature specials, nonprofit organizations will host outreach tables, and families can enjoy a variety of activities including The Goat Bus petting zoo, food, vendors and live music.

As part of the monthly series, Penn State Health’s Lion Mobile Clinic will be present on Front Street at each Second Saturday event, offering free walk-up healthcare screenings with no appointment required.

The initiative builds on the work of Keystone Community Partnerships, a Penn State Outreach program focused on youth leadership and sustainable community and economic development.

Over the past six months, local high school students have surveyed peers and residents, identified priorities and asked tough questions about what Philipsburg needs next. Second Saturdays brings that work into public view, giving students a platform to share their findings and ideas and invite community response.

Student presentations will take place at

4 p.m. at the historic Rowland Theatre, highlighting what they’ve learned and where they hope the community can go next.

The event will also offer practical resources. In addition to the Lion Mobile Clinic screenings, FNB Bank and Timberland Federal Credit Union will host financial literacy workshops on topics such as managing a checking account, purchasing a first home and starting a business.

Centre County nonprofit partners including Centre Foundation, Centre Safe, Discovery Space & The Rivet, the Youth Service Bureau, and the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation will be on site connecting with families and sharing resources.

“Following the collapse of the coal industry in the 1980s, generations of young people moved away from Philipsburg and never returned,” said Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation President Eric Rusnak. “We need young, new, strong leaders to see their own futures in Philipsburg and to build their home here, so we can improve our town’s economy and quality of life.”

Following the event, downtown partners will collaborate to shape future Second Saturday themes. The long-term goal is simple: create steady, predictable foot traffic downtown and build lasting economic momentum for Philipsburg businesses and organizations.

Additional dates include: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8.

Additional partners include DiamondBack Covers and The DiamondBack Foundation, the Philipsburg-Osceola School District, UNESCO Youth as Researchers, Keystone Community Scholars and local youth and residents.

The series will continue monthly through the summer, with potential expansion into the fall based on participation and community feedback.

Organizers describe the vision simply: keep youth leadership at the center, expand access to services and strengthen downtown connections — month by month.

For more information, visit www.outreach

.psu.edu/about/keystone-community

-partnerships.