The Why Not You Foundation partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pa. on a place for children to pursue their dreams

To Janelle Hahn, having a “Why Not You” mindset means having the ability to push yourself toward any dream.

Hahn, executive director of the Why Not You Foundation, said people shouldn’t set barriers for themselves. Young people need to believe they can be a doctor ever if there hasn’t been a doctor in their family before, she said.

To further that mindset among local children, the foundation, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, held the grand opening on Dec. 10 of the first Why Not You Center in Shadyside.

Founded in 2014 by Grammy-Award winning R&B artist Ciara Wilson and her husband, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, the foundation is dedicated to fighting generational poverty through education and empowering youth to live with a “Why not you?” attitude.

“Russell and Ciara always had a dream of opening spaces that, first and foremost, are safe, but that are also inspiring for young people and teens to come to and really have an equal opportunity,” Hahn said. “To have a ‘Why Not You’ mindset every day of their life and really set those dreams and have the resources and support to achieve them.”

Hahn added that there are other Why Not You centers planned. Soon, the foundation will announce a second Pittsburgh location and there are plans to take the concept to the national level.

“When we opened up our center last week, as the event was ending, these adorable children were running out of the building and one little boy — it just so happens to also be his birthday — is like ‘Today was the best day of my life!’” Hahn said.

“Hearing something like that just gives you chills and reinforces the fact that we are fortunate and blessed and that’s the mindset of Russell and Ciara — how can we use our generosity to help change and transform the life of others who might not have as many resources or opportunities directly in front of them?”

The Why Not You Foundation was founded in Seattle, when Wilson played for the Seattle Seahawks. It followed him and his wife to Denver during his tenure with the Broncos and eventually to Pittsburgh.

Ciara Wilson, a singer and songwriter, works to empower girls and young women with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to grow in a positive way. Among other initiatives, she and her husband financially support organizations in line with the foundation’s mission and advocate for pediatric cancer research with visits to children’s hospitals.

And while the organization mostly focuses on youth, Hahn added that their “Why Not You” mindset also translates across generations.

“We also see the need of multi-generational programming because when you look at cyclical poverty, it’s impacting more than one generation,” Hahn said.

“It’s all about transforming lives. At the end of the day, we do what we do because of the impact that we can see or hear about with the people we’re serving.”