Philly Plain Dealer

News just broke that the School District of Philadelphia was defrauded out of nearly 700,000 dollars through a sophisticated cyber scam. It is the second time this has happened in three years. And while investigations unfold, one thing is already clear: our systems are vulnerable. Not just to hackers, but to the cracks that form when people are overwhelmed, undertrained, or unsupported.

This is not about blame. It is about reflection. Because while the headlines focus on what was lost, I want to talk about what is being built.

Youth in We Love Philly’s cybersecurity pre-apprenticeship collaborate on a project at the One Art Community Center. The program provides over 300 hours of training, mentorship, and paid work experience to help Philadelphia teens build real skills, confidence, and community.

At We Love Philly, we work with the same youth who have often been written off by traditional education. And we are preparing them to do the kind of work that prevents these very kinds of breakdowns.

We run state recognized pre-apprenticeship programs in Cybersecurity and Digital Marketing. Our programs train high school students in real-world skills: yes, technical literacy, but also emotional regulation, attention to detail, and professional accountability. We teach them how to manage sensitive data. How to detect digital scams. How to slow down and verify before clicking send. We also teach them how to show up, how to communicate, and how to lead.

They are not just learning how to succeed. They are learning how to protect the systems they will inherit.

Our youth receive over 300 hours of training, mentorship, and hands-on client work. They earn Google industry credentials, develop portfolios, and leave with actual work experience. Over the duration of the program, our youth have the potential to earn more than $4,000. We also provide a hot meal every day and offer daily wellness support and trauma-informed care. More than 90 percent of our participants graduate from high school, often through Act 158, which recognizes pre-apprenticeships as an official pathway to a diploma.

This is not a side project. It is a graduation strategy, a workforce pipeline, and a public safety investment all in one.

So when we hear about six figure losses in the central office, we do not point fingers. We think about how that money could change the trajectory of entire communities if reinvested in the people doing the work on the ground.

We are building systems of accountability, transparency, and transformation on a youth development budget. Imagine what we could do if we were resourced like the central office.

We are not just reacting to a problem. We are preparing young people to lead with integrity in an increasingly digital world. And while cyber scams may be growing in sophistication, so are our students. They understand the stakes. Some of them have had to grow up fast, manage adult responsibilities, and survive conditions no teenager should have to face. That lived experience is not a barrier to learning. It is part of why they take this work so seriously.

As one of our apprentices, Thayid Wilson, put it:

“We Love Philly was a turning point for my life. Thanks to their real-world approach, I was able to mentally and financially benefit from their life lessons and on-site opportunities in a way that leaves me confident about my future.”

Educators across Philly see the shift. For students who’ve struggled in traditional classrooms, We Love Philly offers healing, purpose, and a path forward. As one educator shared:

“I have been referring seniors to We Love Philly’s pre‑apprenticeship for years because of its selective cohort and deep support. Before certification, students spend time reflecting on trauma and building self‑care practices—essential preparation before entering the workplace or training environment. Some of the same students who struggle with truancy or parenting thrive here thanks to the trauma‑informed approach and the trust they develop.”

— Maureen Quiles‑Rosa, Philadelphia high school educator

That is what happens when you design systems with intention. When young people feel respected, challenged, and seen. Not just managed.

We know large systems carry enormous weight. We know burnout, understaffing, and pressure can create blind spots. But we also know that training and investment matter, especially when it comes to the people behind the screens.

We are not here to compete with the district. We are here to complement it. To serve the youth who have slipped through the cracks. To offer pathways that work for those who need something different. And to show what is possible when we invest not just in policy, but in people.

This moment is about more than missing funds. It is about who we trust to build a better future. It is about recognizing that the talent, the discipline, and the solutions are already here, growing in classrooms that do not always look traditional, but are doing transformational work every day.

We Love Philly is not perfect. But we are present. We are consistent. And we are building from the inside out.

If the goal is a safer, smarter, and more resilient school system, we are ready. Let us fund what is working. Let us train the next generation like the future depends on it, because it does.