Neighbors helping neighbors.
Born in 1968 as South Hills Interfaith Ministries by, no kidding, a priest, a rabbi and a minister, SHIM has been providing food, clothing and services to people in need in Pittsburgh’s southern suburban neighborhoods ever since. Faced with unprecedented new levels of suburban poverty, SHIM is expanding our work to include more neighbors helping more neighbors in need.
Together, with teams of dedicated volunteers, donors and partners, we’re working to reduce the devastating effects of suburban poverty among the working poor, unemployed, families, single parents, senior citizens, women and the high concentration of refugee families in our service area.
SHIM Vision
An inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
SHIM Mission
SHIM mobilizes community resources and implements sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency and build community.
SHIM Values
Equity and Inclusion
We believe that an individual’s background, situation, and life circumstances contribute to a vibrant community. We believe that all our neighbors should be treated with dignity and respect.
Building Community
We believe that the community is stronger when it comes together. We take pride in facilitating connections between people who need help and those able to provide help, enriching the lives of all involved and cultivating a community of neighbors helping neighbors.
A Hand Up, Not a Handout
We believe in addressing need holistically. We help people meet basic needs, and then leverage our comprehensive programs to help move people along their path to self-sufficiency.
Partnering for Power
As the largest human services agency in the South Hills, our greatest strength is our ability to convene stakeholders, serve as an effective partner, identify needs, and coordinate resources to serve the community.
Our People are Our Priority
We believe that our employees, volunteers, and donors are our greatest resource. We strive to ensure that our staff and volunteers feel respected, well-cared for, and have proper access to self-care resources.
SHIM Leadership
James Guffey
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The smiling face and leader of our organization, Jim joined the SHIM team in 2006 as SHIM’s first Director of Development and Public Relations. Now the Executive Director, Jim is responsible for the day-to-day operation of all aspects of SHIM as well as working with the Board of Directors to facilitate the strategic direction of the organization. A graduate from Robert Morris University, Jim has 25 years of experience working for notable nonprofits, including the American Heart Association and United Way of Allegheny County (now United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania).
Courtney Macurak
Director of Programs
Responsible for the programmatic success of SHIM, Courtney ensures seamless team management and development, program delivery, quality control and evaluation. Dedicated to SHIM since an internship in 2002, Courtney is the organization’s Director of Programs. She has a masters degree in social work with a concentration in community organizing and social administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
Andrew Baram
Director of Finance and Administration
Andrew joined SHIM in 2023. He manages the development and execution of all projects related to finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, IT, administration, and facilities. Andrew has 20+ years of corporate experience and received his Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Penn State.
Seth Dubin
Director of Development and Communications
Seth joined the SHIM team in 2016. He has the privilege of engaging with our generous supporters in the community, connecting them to the work we do and enabling them to fulfill their philanthropic aspirations.
Seth has more than a decade of fundraising experience in arts organizations, public TV, but his heart lies in human services. Seth has a bachelors degree in German and sociology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Meet SHIM’s Board
SHIM’s distinguished board of directors is comprised of leaders and professionals in the Pittsburgh area who dedicate their talents and expertise to serve the South Hills community. Their active commitment and contribution to our programs have strengthened outreach efforts and provided new opportunities for growth.
Pace Markowitz, Chair
Pace Setter Strategy
Alexandria Samuel, Vice Chair
PNC Bank
Linda Jones, Secretary
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Jason Savarese, Treasurer
Alcoa, Inc.
Kim Amey
Carnegie Science Center
Dennis Astorino
DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design
Amela Burlovic
BNY Mellon
Renee DeMay
Ansys
James Frantz
TEDCO Construction
Jennifer George
Community Bank
Joanna Hughes
St Clair Hospital
Kathy Lipecky
Partner4Work
Jennifer Nanz
NOVA Chemical
Dr. Kiran Patil
Butler Health System
Jiwan Pradhan
Companion Care
Barbara Rosenberger
Event Planner/Consultant
Rev. Brian Snyder
Bower Hill Community Church
Christopher Stephey
St Clair Hospital
Robert Thumpston, Jr.
ABART Coca-Cola Beverage
Rob Wagner
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
Dr. Alan Yeasted
St. Clair Hospital
Cynthia Donahoe,
Recording Secretary
James Guffey
SHIM Executive Director
Our locations
South Hills Interfaith Movement
5301 Park Avenue
Bethel Park, PA 15102
Get directions
Phone: (412) 854-9120
Looking for the receptionist? Dial ext 113.
Fax: (412) 854-9123
Email: info@shimcares.org
SHIM South Hills Family Center
41 Macek Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Get directions
Phone: (412) 892-4673
Email: info@shimcares.org
Staff directory
SHIM Center
James Guffey
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 101
jguffey@shimcares.org
Andrew Baram
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
(412) 854-9120 ext. 102
abaram@shimcares.org
Molly Penderville
BASIC NEEDS DIRECTOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 108
mpenderville@shimcares.org
Jessica Christopher
HR MANAGER
(412) 854-9120 ext. 125
jchristopher@shimcares.org
Lisa Turske
SERVICE COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 104
lturske@shimcares.org
Marcele Reola
INTAKE AND SERVICE COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 107
mreola@shimcares.org
Olivia Montana
MOBILITY MENTORING SPECIALIST
(412) 763-2560 ext. 382
omontana@shimcares.org
Ann Talarek
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 106
atalarek@shimcares.org
Mary Amatangelo
CHECKMATES COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 116
mamatangelo@shimcares.org
Courtney Macurak
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
(412) 854-9120 ext. 103
cmacurak@shimcares.org
Seth Dubin
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
(412) 854-9120 ext. 109
sdubin@shimcares.org
Eric Ross
SERVICE COORDINATION DIRECTOR
(412) 892-4673 ext. 345
eross@shimcares.org
Rachel White
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(412) 854-9120 ext. 112
rwhite@shimcares.org
Ashley Abbey
AFTER SCHOOL DIRECTOR/SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR
(412) 742-6122
aabbey@shimcares.org
Kyla Ross
BASIC NEEDS COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 120
kross@shimcares.org
Miranda Gales
DONOR RELATIONS OFFICER
(412) 854-9120 ext. 123
mgales@shimcares.org
Jignesh Chauhan
ACCOUNTANT
(412) 854-9120 ext. 121
jchauhan@shimcares.org
Becky Henninger
COMMUNITY GARDEN COORDINATOR
(412) 854-9120 ext. 111
bhenninger@shimcares.org
SHIM South Hills Family Center
Mary Pannier
CHILDREN AND YOUTH DIRECTOR
(412) 892-4673 ext. 396
mpannier@shimcares.org
Netra Kafley
FATHERHOOD PROGRAM COORDINATOR
(412) 892-4673 ext. 375
nkafley@shimcares.org
Dawn Rees
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
(412) 892-4673 ext. 350
drees@shimcares.org
Susie Backscheider
YOUTH MENTORING COORDINATOR
(412) 892-4673 ext 340
susie@shimcares.org
Jackie Mwanjumwa
ISAC COORDINATOR
(412) 892-4673 ext. 355
jackie@shimcares.org
Indira Pyakurel
COMMUNITY LIAISON
(412) 892-4673 ext. 320
ipyakurel@shimcares.org
Bhola Chamlagai
COMMUNITY AIDE
bhola@shimcares.org
Lexie Garcia
YOUTH MENTORING ACADEMIC SPECIALIST
agarcia@shimcares.org
Amy Moon
FAMILY CENTER SITE DIRECTOR
412-892-4673 ext. 315
amoon@shimcares.org
Loredana Marinescu
LEAD FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
(412) 892-4673 ext. 310
lmarinescu@shimcares.org
Miawna Johnson
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
mjohnson@shimcares.org
Becky Brown
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
(412) 551-7642
bbrown@shimcares.org
Diana Hunsberger
LEAD EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
(412) 892-4673 ext. 325
dhunsberger@shimcares.org
Januka Regmi
ISAC SERVICE COORDINATOR
jregmi@shimcares.org
Jinan Hassan
COMMUNITY LIAISON
(412) 892-4673 ext. 330
jhassan@shimcares.org
Interested in joining the SHIM team?
Please contact Jessica Christopher with any questions
(412) 854-9120 ext. 125
HR Manager
jchristopher@shimcares.org