Welcome to our blog!

Learn more about the people we serve, the people who help, and why our work is important.

From Public Media to Human Services, Meet Patrick

by Patrick Smith, SHIM Donor Relations Officer I’m the new Development Relations Officer at SHIM and I have worked in nonprofit development and fundraising for nearly two decades. I’m originally from New Castle, PA, but currently live with my wife Christina on Mt. Washington, where I have lived for over 10 years. My career in development began with an internship at a large think tank in Washington, DC, after I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a degree in Political Science. I often tell the story that I discovered my calling by accident, applying to the organization’s Development department not even knowing exactly what it would entail. As I progressed through the internship, I realized I loved working with the organization’s donors – communicating need, reporting impact, and stewarding those relationships. After a semester in the nation’s capital, I returned to Pittsburgh and started an internship downtown with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. This would be my introduction to the city’s generous and vibrant nonprofit community. I continued to hone my skills with roles of increasing responsibility at several Pittsburgh nonprofits, including Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (before there was a garden!), The Frick Art & Historical Center, and Chatham University. I spent my days answering member calls, processing donations, and managing donor databases. I’m grateful for this time in my career because it formed the foundation for my work moving forward. It also made me a better colleague, having spent time working with donors throughout each step of the process. I settled into my longest professional stint when I accepted a position with Pittsburgh’s public radio stations WYEP and WESA. As a long-time fan of both stations, it was a dream come true to put my skills and experience to work for something I was so passionate about. My passion for public media and its supporters continued to fuel me when I took my next position with WQED – one of the most storied and landmark institutions in Pittsburgh and the public media industry. Public media will always be important to me because it provides something sorely needed by our communities: high-quality, reliable news and entertainment (often local!) and irreplaceable educational programming. As I helped steward WQED’s donors and grow the development program, I knew this type of work fulfilled me. Bridging the gap between donors and the impact they wanted to make on their community drives me. When the opportunity to do this work at SHIM presented itself, I was intrigued. I recognized a growing need in our communities for human services – especially during the COVID pandemic. I thought about the good I could do on a more family-to-family level. The more I learned about SHIM’s work in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, the more I could see myself dedicating my efforts to their mission, their donors, and their neighbors. I couldn’t be more excited about joining the amazing team at SHIM and supporting their mission to mobilize community resources and implement sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency and build community. The needs of our neighbors have increased tremendously and organizations […]

Patrick Smith, Donor Relations Officer

Where Do Your Neighbors Come From?

By Tika Shankar, Development Intern, SHIM Pittsburgh, the place so many of us call home is not home to just one culture or background. Walk through any neighborhood, step into a local store, or sit in a school cafeteria, and you’ll experience the vibrant diversity all around us. You can smell the spices drifting from kitchen windows, hear different languages spoken on every block, and see neighbors from all over the world building their lives here. But have you ever wondered, where do your neighbors come from? Our mid-sized city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has a population of 302,971 according to data from 2020, of which 66.4% of residents are White, 23% are Black, 5.8% are Asian, and 3.4% are Hispanic or Latinx. In this mix, 26,254 refugees have arrived in Pittsburgh between 2010 and 2019. Among the refugees included, are Bhutanese (9,378), Burmese (2,827), Congolese (2,939), Iraqis (2,470), Syrians (1,313), and Somalis (1,510). Since 2019, there has been an influx of Afghan refugees, especially in the fall of 2021, as Pittsburgh was one of the 19 cities recommended by the US Department of State to resettle Afghan refugees along with Ukrainian arrivals in 2022 (Welcoming Pittsburgh Annual Report 2021). While these numbers reflect Allegheny County, the heart of this change can be seen in the South Hills, where neighborhoods like Baldwin and Whitehall have become a home for many of the refugees. In these communities, SHIM plays a key role in helping newcomers adjust. Starting with the basics like food, clothing and programs for youth and families, SHIM supports immigrant and refugee families as they build a new life here. Shekewa, an Afghan resident of Baldwin who is also a SHIM pantry participant, has shared her experience as a newcomer: “Afghanistan is not safe now and we cannot go back. Therefore, we must call this place our new home, at least for the sake of our children’s future. The biggest struggle I face right now is language barrier. Without the language knowledge, I cannot do anything especially with my 3-year-old child. Coming out to the SHIM food pantry allows me to get out of my house and interact with the community so it makes me more comfortable to get used to this new environment while taking basic needs things for home to feed my family.” SHIM provides more than just groceries. For newcomers like Shekewa, the pantry is also a place to connect, build confidence, and begin adjusting to life in a new environment. Economic growth accompanied this growing immigrant population, as these diverse neighbors contribute greatly to our region’s economy. Immigrants and refugees in Pittsburgh work hard, raise families, and play a vital role in our region’s economy. According to New Americans in Pittsburgh, in 2019, immigrant households in Pittsburgh earned $1 billion to which $202.9 million went to federal taxes, $95.1 million went to state and local taxes, $730.8 million was left in spending power, $93.9 million to Social Security, and $26.8 million to Medicare. Refugees alone, around 8.7% of local immigrants, earned $179.2 million to which $28.3 million went to federal taxes, $17.8 million went to […]

Development Intern Tika Shankar

Feeding Families Takes a Community

By Kelly Pare, Philanthropy Stewardship Coordinator, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank relies on a vast community of supporters to provide our neighbors struggling to fill their plates with the food and resources they need to thrive. We serve to ensure no one has to go hungry, but also to stabilize lives and confront issues of chronic hunger, poor nutrition and health. Whether you need help or give help, by joining our community you can ensure all of our neighbors have enough food. I joined the Food Bank in 2022, as a community engagement intern and eventually transitioned to my current role as philanthropy stewardship coordinator. My position is designed to help connect people from across Pennsylvania in support of community members facing food insecurity. This often includes working with many people and organizations in the Food Bank community. In this work, I feel a sense of fulfillment in knowing that community members continue to stay engaged with the Food Bank and our mission, even in the most uncertain times. Recently, I had the pleasure of working closely with South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) and was able to see firsthand some of the impact that our partner agencies are having in connecting communities to vital resources. At the heart of the Food Bank community are the 1,000+ partner agencies across the 11 counties we serve in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Food Bank relies on collaboration with a variety of food assistance programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, emergency shelters, churches, missions, school outreach centers and more to act as a bridge between our organization and our neighbors. These valuable partnerships allow us to increase access to healthy foods for individuals, families, children and seniors facing food insecurity. Not only do partner agencies help us deliver food to people in need, they also share their knowledge of the area and the neighbors in their communities. SHIM has been a valued partner agency of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for 40 years! Adept at serving the refugee and immigrant populations in Pittsburgh’s South Hills neighborhoods, we’ve taken cues from SHIM about ways to be more inclusive. From translating our materials to sourcing ethnic foods, we count on insights from partners like SHIM working in the local communities every day to inform and improve the way we work. With a focus on holistic service, SHIM illustrates the ways in which additional human services partnered with food resources help individuals and families improve their economic stability. Food insecurity impacts so many parts of people’s lives, and we know that it can be indicative of a greater need for support. At SHIM, program participants work with service coordinators on identifying additional resources to help meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency and build community. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and SHIM have both grown significantly in the last five years. The Food Bank has made fresh produce more widely available for our partners, developed new innovations to reduce barriers to food access, targeted underserved communities and helped expand the capacity of our network agencies to help meet the needs. Because of the […]

Kelly from Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Congratulations Grads! Now What?

With SHIM Youth Mentoring Graduates Preyanka and Anmol Last month, seniors graduated from high school, ready to start their young adult lives. We spoke with two students who attended SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program to hear their thoughts on what comes next. Preyanka came to Pittsburgh from Nepal in 2015. She remembers life in a refugee camp, noting that there were no buses, so everyone walked everywhere. Preyanka thinks one of the biggest differences was between the education systems. In Nepal, she just learned basics like how to speak English, but here in the US she learned many subjects on a deeper level. When her family first moved to Pittsburgh, they utilized SHIM’s food pantries but have since become self-sufficient and no longer need the resources. Anmol came to America when she was just 7 months old from Nepal. After living in upstate New York and Ohio, her family moved to Pittsburgh when she was a freshman in high school. As she settled into her new home in Baldwin-Whitehall, her aunt suggested that she check out SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program. She joined her cousin Dilisha, who had been attending for several years. After getting over the initial feeling of intimidation from joining such a large group, Anmol invited her friend Preyanka to join her. “At first I was so intimidated, there were so many people there.” -Anmol SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program hosts more than 150 students throughout the year, with approximately 70 attending homework help sessions and mentoring groups regularly. Some of Anmol’s favorite activities were cooking and mock trials. She enjoyed judging a case based on facts instead of the people presenting. Preyanka especially enjoyed volunteering, which helped her see things from a different perspective. Whether they were picking up trash, handing out meals to the homeless, or organizing diapers for distribution, she got close with people in her community. “I didn’t know there were so many opportunities to help people. I realized I can actually make a difference in people’s lives.” -Preyanka Both students enjoyed playing soccer with SHIM’s partner Open Field, especially since the students involved in the program were so culturally diverse. They appreciated the chance to meet students from outside their own community. A major focus of SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program is preparing students for life after high school. During the 2024-25 school year, SHIM launched the SHIM Scholar program to further support juniors and seniors in goal setting and college/career readiness. The program included monthly one-on-one guidance sessions and workshops on credit, law, psychology, mental health, and other important topics. They also participated in monthly medical classes through a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Seniors conducted interviews with juniors, to help them think about how to present themselves professionally. Students even participated in a ‘secret Santa’ scholarship exchange, where they did research for fellow students on potential college scholarships. “Learning about credit was really big- most of us are going to take out a credit card or have a loan for a car or house, so we learned skills to prepare.” -Anmol Preyanka and Anmol, who both achieved perfect attendance as SHIM […]

Youth Mentoring graduates Pryanka and Anmol

How to Host a Successful Food Drive

by Madi Senneway, Mt. Lebanon High School Senior When I was six years old, my parents hosted ‘my’ first food drive in my name. Growing up in ‘The Bubble’ of Mt. Lebanon, my parents wanted to make sure I understood how incredibly lucky I am. They wanted to teach me the value of community and the importance of giving back. Now, I am seventeen years old, going into my senior year of high school at Mt. Lebanon, and will be hosting my 12th annual food drive this August. After the first food drive, we delivered the donations to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. At six years old I couldn’t comprehend how the Food Bank could possibly need more food when they already had a massive warehouse full of it. It felt as though my small donation didn’t really matter. My parents, however, were not discouraged by my reaction, and decided to research more local organizations. When we found SHIM, we knew we had found our fit. When we visited, the modest (by comparison) pantry had several empty shelves. When they shared that shoppers had just been there this morning and they were waiting for donations from a local organization to arrive, we knew this was a place where we could really make a difference. SHIM is such an amazing organization, with lovely people, committed volunteers, and a strong central mission. What really inspires me is just how local it truly is. When they say, “neighbors helping neighbors,” they really mean it; each and every donation makes a lasting impact on people within our community. While it may not seem like it, not everyone in our community is lucky enough to have the newest clothing trends, a roof over their head, or food on the table, and food drives collect donations that go directly to families in need. Food drives help make sure that no one in the community goes hungry when faced with difficult times. They also raise awareness about food insecurity and how much of an impact people can make when they come together to help. Access to food is a basic human necessity, and helping others meet those needs shows compassion and unity. Organizing an annual food drive makes me feel proud of my community and the help we can provide, and hopeful for a future where food insecurity is something people do not have to face. It feels good to know that something so simple can make a real difference in someone’s life. But food drives just don’t happen on their own. Someone needs to get the ball rolling by being a host, promoting the event, collecting the donations, and delivering them to SHIM. For anyone considering hosting a drive: DO IT! It’s surprisingly simple to organize and an amazing way to bring your community together while also making a difference for your neighbors! After years of experience, I’ve developed a system that’s fun, easy, and successful. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just someone who wants to make a difference – here’s my simple, step by step, guide to starting your own food […]

Donation drive host Madi with Seth at SHIM

Gardening and Giving Back at SHIM

By Becky Henninger, SHIM Garden Coordinator Gardening is an amazing way to feel at peace with nature. As you tend to plants, you see tangible effects of your nurturing. Watching seedlings grow and bloom is incredibly satisfying. Especially if you are growing food, gardening can be immensely rewarding, as you taste the benefits of your hard work. As SHIM Community Garden’s Program Manager, I build partnerships with local congregations and community groups who want to join our network of Community Gardens. I also manage the garden at SHIM Center in Bethel Park as well as our Whitehall Peace & Community Garden in Whitehall. Like many of our supporters, I decided to volunteer when my kids got older and became more independent. As a South Hills native and current South Hills resident, I turned to SHIM to find a way to give back. I learned they were to start a community garden program, so I joined the team. Although I grew up surrounded by nature, I didn’t fall in love with gardening until adulthood. As a child, one of my responsibilities was to help weed and maintain my dad’s large vegetable garden. I was unaware at the time what I was learning in the garden – patience and appreciation for what the earth can provide, and the amazing taste of a freshly picked tomato warmed by the sun. Gardening felt like a chore until I became a parent and was looking for opportunities to be outside in nature with my children. I began taking them to the nursery each year to choose several plants of their own to care for through the summer. Through gardening, they learned core life skills – responsibility, patience, the importance of nurturing and the miracle that is contained in one small seed. For me, gardening became therapeutic as it provided an escape from the chaos of life. As the kids became more independent teens involved in sports and school activities, I had the time to further my education and learn more about the science behind growing vegetables and flowers. I enrolled in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Program and became a Phipps Master Gardener in 2011. When SHIM decided to start the Community Garden program in 2012, it was just a big idea from executive director Jim Guffey. Jim was ready to stop mowing so much grass and wanted to use the land to provide food for SHIM’s food pantries. I knew that I needed to volunteer a certain number of hours to maintain my Master Gardener certification, so the opportunity felt perfectly timed. Two other volunteers joined the cause, and we began planning the first SHIM garden. We mapped out the space and figured out what would be manageable for the three of us to build, plant and maintain. Our first year, we grew 1,500 pounds of food and learned a lot, including how much we underestimated the amount of work it would be! Our garden at SHIM Center in Bethel Park is very visible. Located on busy South Park Rd, people passing by were curious about what we were doing and would […]

Garden coordinator Becky

Guest Blog: Bringing Community Together

By Cristen Dando, Whitehall Public Library, Children’s Library Outreach Coordinator As the children’s outreach coordinator at Whitehall Public Library, I have the opportunity to meet neighbors of all ages, cultures, and life experiences. I value open-mindedness and love learning about the people in our community. Originally from Pennsylvania, I began my career as a pharmacist on a Cherokee reservation. I was interested in public health, especially Native American health, after doing a rotation on the Navajo reservation in my last year of school. Working within the Native American health system was enlightening. Unlike our American system of siloed providers, the Native American health system was all under one roof. This allowed patients and providers to know each other better, leading to more holistic care. I realized the benefit of having a community that was so connected. Continuing to pursue employment in support of the community, I decided to apply for jobs in libraries. I’ve always been passionate about life-long learning, and I was used to working with the public. After working for several years at a library in North Carolina, my family moved to Pittsburgh where I found my current position at the Whitehall Public Library. When I arrived, I was thrilled to learn that my predecessors had established a robust outreach program. The library had strong partnerships with many local agencies. I love bringing enriching programs to childcare centers, after school programs, and summer camps. I get to plan and lead a wide variety of activities working with toddlers through eighth graders. Sometimes partners have specific requests for programming, but most of the time I get to find and create curriculum that inspire kids to create and explore. I work with several different programs at South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM). I bring story time to the littlest learners in SHIM’s Early Childhood Program, engaging preschoolers in reading and discussions. I visit SHIM’s After School program monthly with Early Learners projects for 1st-5th grade students and also present the Girls Who Code curriculum to SHIM’s 4th and 5th grade girls in After School. This unique program, established by a nonprofit driven to close the gender gap in tech, provides hands on activities that spark interest in STEM. We explore the basic concepts of coding, including terminology and its applications. At the end of the school year, UPMC Women in IT join us to talk about career options. I also bring weekly programming to SHIM’s summer camp, focusing on different age groups each week. To engage parents in their children’s learning, we also partner with SHIM to host family engagement nights. These events help families feel more comfortable accessing the library and encourage students to explore all that the library has to offer. No one tells you, but when you’re a kids’ librarian, you feel like a rockstar. When I walk into a program, kids get excited! I feel grateful to work with such enthusiastic learners. One thing I focus on when preparing activities for students is representation. When I come to SHIM, I want the students to recognize themselves in the pages of the books I bring. I look for […]

Cristen at Whitehall Public Library

It’s Easy to Appreciate our Amazing Volunteers

By Ann Talarek, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator As a South Hills resident previously involved with refugee resettlement, I’ve known about SHIM for a long time. I remember taking refugee clients to SHIM’s original Family Center in the Prospect Park apartments in the early 1990s. At the time, I had no idea the scope of SHIM’s work! I followed my other passion of horticulture and worked at Fallingwater for almost 20 years, helping to coordinate a small team of volunteers in support of landscaping projects. When I was ready to shorten my commute, I started searching for jobs in the Pittsburgh area and joined SHIM as volunteer engagement coordinator in 2022. I am a volunteer myself, processing immigration paperwork and serving on the board of directors of the Pleasant Hills Arboretum. I even volunteered at SHIM during winter months when I was employed at Fallingwater and I had extra time off. During those experiences, I learned more about the breadth of SHIM’s work in the South Hills community. Working with volunteers is a blessing. Our volunteers are so giving of their time and skills, and they show such kindness to everyone in our community. They’re always willing to jump in and do what’s needed, devoting themselves hours each week to helping those less fortunate. I never knew there were so many generous volunteers right here in the South Hills! One thing I love witnessing firsthand is the patience and positive energy they show to individuals and families accessing our services. They listen and emote such warmth that everyone feels welcome and more at ease. They are humble, empathetic and selfless. I’ve been surprised at the overwhelming gratitude that our volunteers have for their own lives and how they funnel that into supporting our clients. They’re a joyous group of people working as a well-oiled machine powered by positive energy! Another benefit of getting to know our 300+ volunteers is hearing about their life histories and accomplishments. Many of our volunteers are retired and have interesting tales from storied careers, exciting travels, and meaningful personal experiences. They come from all different backgrounds- economic, cultural, and religious- to work together as one caring team. For those looking to volunteer, one of the best things about SHIM is that there is a wide variety of tasks available. Whether you like physical labor, office tasks, working with kids, or sharing specific skills like carpentry or engineering, we have an opportunity for you. We’ve recently expanded volunteer opportunities to include recycling and composting initiatives, flower arranging, and job shadowing. And did you know that volunteering is good for your health? Studies show that volunteering improves cardiovascular health and mental health. It helps you meet new people, make new friends, and connect to your community. While we aren’t a faith-based organization, many of our volunteers find us through their congregations. Additionally, our volunteers tend to invite their spouses and friends to join them, which enhances the familial feeling of our volunteer team. I love finding ways to support the work we do by creating new volunteer opportunities. For example, when we expanded our recycling and composting initiatives, one […]

Cropped Ann Talarek

Let’s Destigmatize Food Insecurity

Molly Penderville, Basic Needs Director As SHIM’s basic needs director, I see firsthand the struggles families face putting food on the table. Since becoming an AmeriCorps member with SHIM in 2014, I’ve watched pantry attendance grow every year, especially the last five. I see a lot of people who qualify for our services but feel embarrassed asking for help. It is clear that they are doing everything they can to keep up with the high cost of living. I’ve learned from some of the seniors we serve how much harder it is for them to adapt to a change in income. When you’re young, you can be more flexible in finding employment. As you get older, especially if you are facing health challenges, finding employment can be extremely difficult. This leaves seniors particularly vulnerable to economic hardship. Even through the coronavirus pandemic, the demographics of pantry participants have been consistent. We meet a lot of families who are working at least one job, sometimes two, and we meet a lot of seniors and people with disabilities who are living on fixed incomes. Many people are surprised to learn that only 10 percent of pantry participant households are unemployed, and many times, these participants are in between jobs and actively looking for work. If there was one thing positive that came from the pandemic, it’s the destigmatization around asking for help. As numerous people faced job losses, work stoppages, and school closures, there seemed to be an acceptance that everyone faces hard times and needs help sometimes. Regardless of income and education, everyone was struggling. The rising cost of food was also a shared experience, which allowed people to feel less alone in their plight. When everyone is experiencing sticker shock at the grocery store it helps reduce stigma around food insecurity. I have also noticed a generational difference where seniors sometimes feel more embarrassed asking for help. Part of my job here is letting people know that it’s ok to need help. If we can help you with food, that lessens your burden keeping up with other bills. Many of the working families we serve are stuck in the gap where they make too much money to receive benefits but still don’t make enough to keep up with the current cost of living. Most live between 150-200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). For a family of four, the FPL is $31,200, which means 150% of FPL is still only $46,800. Can you imagine finding housing and feeding a family of four for under $50,000 without needing help these days? Even The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TFAP), which used to be based on 150% of FPL recently raised their eligibility to 185% of FPL, recognizing the increased cost of living. Over the past decade, we’ve worked to bring nutritious food to our pantry participants. We’ve heard that people struggle accessing staples like fresh produce and dairy products. Thanks to our partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB), we’re able to provide consistent access to produce, milk, eggs, cheese, and meat. Many of these items are subsidized by the […]

Basic Needs Director Molly Penderville

How are recent federal actions affecting SHIM?

We’ve received lots of questions about our funding sources, our work with refugee and immigrant neighbors, and how recent executive orders might impact our programming. While we don’t have all the answers, here is what we know. Are federal funding freezes affecting SHIM? We do not receive any direct federal funding. Support for our programs comes from individuals, community groups, foundations, and congregations. We also receive contracted funding from Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services (DHS). Since Allegheny County DHS receives federal funding which they pass along to contractors like us, funding cuts may trickle down and affect our contracts. Similarly, we receive significant support from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB), who receives federal funding to support their work. If they experience cuts in funding, those effects may impact our ability to purchase sufficient food to feed the thousands of neighbors relying on our food pantries. Do you anticipate increased need in the community? In our fifty-seven-year history, we have experienced ups and downs in local need, but the overwhelming trend has been an increase in need. As the cost of food, fuel, and housing continues to outpace salaries, especially for low-wage workers, the need in our community continues to climb. We’ve seen a 21% increase in pantry attendance over the last two years, and that’s after pantry attendance doubled between 2019-2022. Approximately 8,500 of our neighbors need our help each year! We anticipate that need in our area will remain steady or continue to increase in the coming year. What changes are you seeing for the immigrant and refugee families in our area? Some of our immigrant and refugee neighbors are feeling scared and nervous. Local resettlement agencies are losing funding and cutting programs. We’re preparing to offer additional support to the refugee and immigrant families who we serve. We don’t collect any information about legal status and do not anticipate collecting this information as a requirement for accessing our programs. We remain committed to helping all families in need in the South Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh. How can I help? We rely on generous neighbors like you to support our holistic programming. As funding sources become more vulnerable, we hope that individuals, community groups, and congregations will help fill the gap. We know our neighbors are dedicated to building a community where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re volunteering your time or giving a financial gift, your support directly impacts our South Hills neighbors. We’re committed to helping local residents and feel confident that neighbors like you will ensure our ability to keep our doors open for all our neighbors in need. Read more perspectives on our Blogs page.

How are recent federal actions affecting SHIM

Family Center Director Amy Relates to Immigrants

As SHIM’s Family Center Director, I work closely with families from many different countries. My team and I help them to find resources and sign up for programs at SHIM, making them feel welcome and safe. My personal and professional experiences helped prepare me for my role leading SHIM’s family center. My mom is from Guatemala and my dad is from Rochester, NY. I grew up bilingual speaking both Spanish and English. When I was growing up my dad was a bilingual elementary school teacher and my mom was a social worker. They taught me the importance of respecting everyone and helping in the community. I’ve lived in California, New York, Utah and Pennsylvania for at least a decade each and I spent a semester in Mexico and have spent time in Guatemala. After graduating with a BA in English Literature, I found a job teaching preschool at a nonprofit program in Utah. Our students came from low-income households and the school offered social services including transportation and meals. Since the majority of students were Latino, I was able to use my Spanish language skills to communicate with the families. I took time away from the workforce to raise my four children and really enjoyed that time as a stay-at-home mom. During that time, I was able to volunteer in their schools and our community. When my youngest started first grade, I re-entered the workforce teaching at the preschool my children had attended. When we moved back to Pittsburgh, I was excited to attend a series at the Mt Lebanon Library that was about building a community that is supportive and welcoming to immigrants and refugees. I knew that was something I wanted to support and get involved with so I attended the series and then did some volunteering with Hello Neighbor, Casa San Jose and at SHIM’s Early Childhood Program (ECP). I really enjoyed my time as a volunteer but decided it was time to find employment. After working at Southminster Presbyterian Church’s preschool program for a couple of years, I was excited to see a part-time position open in SHIM’s ECP. I was invited to be the assistant teacher, working alongside the lead teacher to help refugee and immigrant students prepare for kindergarten by learning English and appropriate classroom behavior. I loved seeing the commitment of the parents, sometimes coming off night shifts but making time to take their kids to school. Even for households facing obstacles, parents made a point of attending parent-teacher conferences, prioritizing their children and working to be the best parents they could be. As I was ready to move to a full-time position, I was hoping to find a position within SHIM. I love working at SHIM and feel deeply committed to fulfilling the mission of helping people holistically. When a Family Development Specialist (FDS) position opened, I was encouraged by my supervisors to apply. When I got the job, my supervisors were flexible about transitioning so that I could finish the school year in ECP before transitioning fully to the FDS position. As a Family Development Specialist, I had a chance to […]

Family Center Director, Amy Moon

What is philanthropy? Who is a philanthropist?

According to the Miriam Webster Dictionary, philanthropy is goodwill to fellow members of the human race. More specifically, it is an active effort to promote human welfare. The term ‘philanthropy’ has lofty connotations. Picture Andrew Carnegie or Bill Gates, titans of industry establishing charitable foundations to effect change. However, anyone who contributes time, money, or talents can consider themselves a philanthropist. Last year in America, individuals gave $374.40 billion, which accounted for 67% of all charitable giving. The average yearly charitable donation from middle income earners was around $3,300. Two thirds of charitable households gave an average of 4% of their income in charitable donations. We are a generous country, with Americans donating 3-15 times more than other developed nations. Now you might be asking, how do I decide how much to give? The great thing is, there is no right answer- just find what feels right to you. Some financial advisors suggest that you use the 50/30/20 rule as a starting point with 50% of your income going to necessities, 30% going to things you want, and 20% going into savings. Once you’ve calculated these categories, you can dip into the 30% category to set aside an amount to give away. Another common practice is to follow religious guidelines and tithe 5% or 10% of your income. Surprisingly, among low-income households that give to charity, a significant number share double-digit portions of their incomes. For donors considering tax-savvy options, donating appreciated stocks and mutual funds can enable individuals to give more than they would if they donated cash or cash equivalents. Once you are comfortable with the amount of money you want to donate, it’s time to do research to find organizations you feel are worthy of your support. One common myth is that the lower the overhead costs, the more impactful an organization can be. According to the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, equating an overhead ratio as an indicator of effectiveness doesn’t consider investments needed to ensure that nonprofits can operate smoothly. A better way of measuring effectiveness is to consider overall financial health, program outcomes, and long-term sustainability. Did you know that being a philanthropist is also good for your health? Not only do you develop a stronger sense of empathy, but you broaden your perspective while making a difference. Helping others gives you purpose and has been proven to increase your happiness and sense of optimism. As Tifany R. Boyles writes in The Power of Philanthropy, “Supporting causes or specific organizations inspire us to learn more about social issues and the approaches to resolving them. Most nonprofit organizations go beyond trying to achieve their mission and also invest significant dollars in communication efforts that educate their stakeholders and create awareness.” As we work together to improve the lives of our neighbors know that every gift, no matter the size, is meaningful and impactful! Give now at www.shimcares.org/hope.

What is philanthropy graphic

Trauma Informed Care Helps Families Holistically

Loredana Marinescu, SHIM Lead Family Development Specialist In my fifteen years working at SHIM, I’ve learned a lot about people. As a family development specialist, I meet families from all over the world who have settled in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Each family brings unique experiences, and I enjoy working with them to help their children thrive. As an immigrant myself, I understand the challenges that people face in starting life in a new country. I moved to Pittsburgh from Romania and immediately started looking for work. I used the World Education Services to find the equivalent of my degrees from Romania- a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sociology and a master’s degree in communications- and I brought with me recommendations from professors and previous employers. Still, it was hard to find employment, so I started volunteering to make personal connections. At first, I volunteered with Jewish Family and Community Services at a program helping immigrants. I also volunteered for Literacy Pittsburgh (at the time called Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council). During a training I attended to become an English teacher for beginners, I met a social worker that connected me to SHIM. She encouraged me to apply for their family development specialist opening, and the rest is history! Along with visiting families to help children under five years old, I teach parenting classes, I am involved with the Hello Baby program and assist SHIM’s other family development specialists. I love working at SHIM because it allows me to use my knowledge of human behavior to help my neighbors. I understand firsthand the challenges families face assimilating into a new country, and I work to empower them to thrive. I’ve taken advantage of SHIM’s encouragement of professional development, taking courses on trauma informed care. At first, I accessed free resources to learn more about trauma awareness. As I delved deeper, I decided to get licensed from Lakeside Global Institute so I could train fellow staff members. Trauma sensitivity can lead to positive changes in relational dynamics. I’ve learned to be more aware of my personal perspective and to consider the different perspectives others have in various situations. By observing body language, word choices, and overall mood (such as nervousness or anger), I can tailor my actions to support the person I’m working with. All of us hold preconceived notions and personal opinions, but when we change our thinking from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you”, we respond differently to someone exhibiting challenging behavior. Another interesting fact about trauma is that the same experience doesn’t necessarily lead to the same reaction. For example, two people who are in a car accident together may react differently. One passenger may feel ready to drive again within days and another passenger may be too fearful to drive again for years. “Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better.” -Maya Angelou Our brains are malleable, ready to learn and change. This awareness has helped me adapt my teaching. In parenting classes, we talk about trauma- what it means, different brain states, and how it […]

Family development specialist Lori

Crises Can Be Complicated- Comprehensive Services Help

Eric Ross, SHIM Service Coordination Director As the Service Coordination Director at SHIM, I often find myself in discussion with people about what we/I do at SHIM. Some people quickly pass judgement when you tell them how we have programs and funds to help individuals meet basic needs both with food and direct financial assistance. I try to explain how tremendously difficult it is to make ends meet even in a two-income household these days. I ask them if something happened to you, or your partner, how long could you stay afloat on one salary or none? Usually, the answer is not very long. I am always impressed by the resilience of a single income family. I am not just talking about single parents; others are seniors struggling to live off Social Security. For some families it’s cheaper for one of the parents to stay home with the kids because of the high price of childcare. Unfortunately, we encounter families that have sick partners or children at home and can’t juggle full-time employment while caring for their loved ones. I can often relate to SHIM clients struggling to make ends meet. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania in a two-parent household with my two older brothers. My dad was a full-time warehouse worker. He worked every shift of overtime he could get. My mom was a stay-at-home mother for much of this time. We could manage on one salary, but it wasn’t easy. In my dad’s early 40’s he suffered a back injury, and we went from barely making ends meet to borrowing money from family and refinancing the house to stay afloat. The injury was too close to his spine and was too risky for an operation. Returning to work wasn’t an option. We struggled financially most of my teenage years. During this time, my dad enrolled in college, and we lived off his workers’ compensation, which is usually only two-thirds of your income. Workers Comp didn’t consider that he made much of his money working overtime. My dad graduated 3 years later with a bachelor’s degree. He worked in social services until he retired a few years ago. It took years to get back on track since entry level social service positions don’t usually pay well. Stereotypes of being lazy or just wanting a free handout are not the norm. I feel a lot of us are just one layoff, illness or accident away from needing help. Most of the families we help with direct assistance have jobs and continue to fall short due to rising costs on just about everything. Over the last few years everything from food, gas, utilities and car repairs has skyrocketed. The costs of car parts have risen drastically. Most car batteries have doubled in price and repair costs have risen upwards of 20%. It’s not uncommon to see interest rates over 20% on used vehicles, which are typically older vehicles that need frequent repairs. Often, we see individuals stuck in a cycle of ‘what bill I can pay this month’. As they struggle to make payments on time, credit scores drop. Families […]

Cropped Eric Ross, Service Coordination Director

Halloween from a non-American Perspective

Jackie Mwanjumwa, SHIM ISAC Service Coordinator The cultural diversity here in the South Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh amazes me. As an immigrant, I love celebrating different holidays and traditions. Some holidays feel familiar while others are new and different. One holiday that surprised me when I moved here was Halloween. I’m from the Taita tribe in Kenya. We’re from a hilly mountainous region with a rich heritage. Our culture honors ancestors with sacrifices and celebrations, valuing ceremonies that bring the community together. Sometimes we even place skulls in caves to honor our ancestors. One thing we don’t do is display skulls outside our houses! When I first moved to America, I was shocked to see skulls on display in people’s yards and on their porches. In my culture, placing skulls on your house would be inviting black magic or witchcraft. When my parents visited me, my mom was worried that the skulls and black shadows would attract demonic spirits. She couldn’t believe people would tempt fate so brazenly! Now that I’ve been here three years, I’m more used to this holiday. At first, people who dressed as wizards scared me as they resembled witch doctors who cast harmful spells. I’m still afraid of zombies, but I enjoy dressing in costume and going to Halloween parties (although I always choose a non-scary costume). While some members of my African immigrant community feel wary of Halloween, I encourage them to embrace this new holiday. The more we learn about it, the easier it is to release judgement. I like to point out that Trick-or-Treating is a lot like a tradition we have during the Christmas holiday where children visit neighbors’ houses and ‘angels’ give them gifts. For my American friends, I try to share the perspective of my immigrant and refugee neighbors. To someone who potentially fled violence in their home country, receiving a knock on the door at night from someone in costume making demands can be quite terrifying. Additionally, sending Black and Brown children to the homes of unfamiliar white families sometimes raises concerns from my friends, because of the racial hate crimes appearing in the national media. Part of what I like about my role as an Immigrant Services and Connections Service Coordinator at SHIM is the ability to share knowledge and bring awareness of our shared values. Both with immigrant and refugee families who I work with and with friends and family in my Pittsburgh African community, I strive to empower them to ask questions about their adopted country and to connect with local South Hills residents to learn more about local customs. I also appreciate the chance to teach my American friends about my culture, my homeland, and my African American community. We are more alike than we are different, and we benefit from sharing with one another to find mutual respect and acceptance. Read more perspectives in our other blogs!

ISAC service coordinator Jackie

Summer Camp Growth from Counselor-turned-Director Ashley

Ashley Abbey, SHIM Summer Camp Director Like many SHIM employees, I started in a small, part-time role as a preschool summer camp counselor right after graduating from high school in 2008 and loved it so much that I decided to get more involved. Then, I joined the After School team as a kindergarten teacher. In 2016, I became the summer camp director and joined my colleague Becky to become co-director of SHIM’s After School program. I’m a South Hills native and I found out about SHIM from my grade school teacher, who was SHIM’s youth director at the time. She recognized my desire to work with kids after I had worked as a counselor at a Boy Scout camp the year before. Back then, SHIM’s preschool camp took place in an apartment in the Prospect Park complex where SHIM’s original South Hills Family Center was located. I worked with 3- and 4-year-olds in a tiny classroom in a rented apartment. SHIM also started a bigger camp for kids in grades 1-8 in a large park located behind the Prospect Park apartments. When we started the larger camp, we saw 60-80 kids each day. Since it’s an outdoor camp, attendance always fluctuates due to weather and other factors. The program has continued to grow with attendance growing to 100 kids per day this past summer. This 2024 summer, more than 300 kids attended SHIM summer camp! Our summer camp is a space where kids feel safe and welcome while school is not in session. We provide enriching programming thanks to partners like Venture Outdoors, Whitehall Public Library, Baldwin Borough Public Library, STEM Seeds, Whitehall Pool, Whitehall Fire Co. and Police Station, Open Fields, Allegheny County Department of Health, and Bookworm Global. Kids participate in swim lessons and field trips, and recently we’ve tailored the field trips to better meet each age group’s desires. Our younger kids really love going to the farm, while our older kids enjoy ice skating. We learn what our campers want and work to provide opportunities to which they may otherwise lack access. A valuable addition to our Summer Camp is our partnership with Baldwin United Methodist Church, which provides well-balanced lunches for our kids from Monday to Thursday, accommodating various dietary restrictions, including vegetarian and peanut-free options. Their team checks in each morning to prepare meals tailored to every camper’s needs, and we wrap up the week with pizza Fridays! One of the best things about our Summer Camp is getting to see our After School students all year round. It’s great to be able to reach them consistently, providing a welcoming place for them to express themselves and learn something. Many of our counselors are from the refugee and immigrant community, some of whom attended SHIM’s youth programs when they were kids! This helps campers feel connected and supported. I love seeing campers support one another. Every year, we have at least one or two campers who don’t speak any English. Because our campers are from such diverse backgrounds, we have many kids who speak multiple languages. Without fail, our non-English speaking campers will find […]

cropped Ashley

Back to School with Becky Brown

Becky Brown, co-director, SHIM After School Program Who’s ready to go back to school? Parents? Teachers? Kids? As a co-director of SHIM’s After School program, I’m excited to welcome back our kids. As a mom, I’m ready for the routine that the school year brings. However, transitions can be tricky! I’m looking forward to reuniting with kids who have attended our program over the past few years and hopefully, getting to meet new students too! They all grow and develop so much in the four months that our After School program doesn’t operate, and I love hearing about what they did over the summer. Some of our students even travel internationally to visit family in their home countries and share interesting experiences and perspectives from their trips. Me personally, I had a great time with my two daughters this summer, packing every day with as many fun things as we could. From carnivals to Steelers training camp, Sandcastle, Kennywood, hiking, biking, swimming and everything in between, we’ve had a blast! The only problem with having a fun summer is that it can make it harder to transition back to the school year routine. The summer is full of fun and freedom- staying up late, snacking all day, and feeling more flexible. As I prepare my daughters to go back to school, I know to expect some sleepiness, irritability, hunger, and unexpected mood changes. If you’re a parent, these feelings may sound familiar! I watch kids in our After School program take several weeks to settle back into the routine. Initially they feel tired, have trouble focusing and can be easily distracted. After about a month, though, students have gotten used to new schedules and expectations and are able to thrive. I miss the families we serve during summer break and I enjoy reconnecting with our parents too. It is such a pleasure to be part of these families’ lives as their children develop during these formative years. Especially as the beginning of the school year is full of new information from schools, I feel grateful that I can help local foreign-born families navigate the communication that comes in emails, apps, and mail. Many of the families we serve struggle to understand documents and messages that are not translated into their native language. Our After School staff members work with parents to help them understand school expectations. SHIM’s After School program has a close relationship with the Baldwin Whitehall School District. They help to identify students who would benefit from our program and work with us to provide transportation. As wonderful as the program is, we are limited in our capacity to serve all the students who could benefit from our enriching environment. Over the years, SHIM’s reputation within the refugee and immigrant community has led to high demand of youth programs. Due to building and transportation constraints, our After School program is usually capped at 75 children. The waiting list for After School currently has at least 50 students. It’s tough to see kids waiting to join our program, knowing how eager they are to participate. In a perfect world, […]

After School co-director Becky with her two daughters

Language Acquisition in Early Childhood Learning

Diana Hunsberger, Lead Early Childhood Program Teacher Early childhood education is essential in supporting children’s growth. According to the National Institute of Health, early learning can lead to higher test scores, better grades, and a better chance of graduating from high school and pursuing post-secondary education. Early learning also reduces teen pregnancies and is linked to better mental health, a lower risk of heart disease, and even a longer lifespan. In SHIM’s Early Childhood Program (ECP), English language proficiency is an additional goal in helping children enter kindergarten ready to succeed academically and socially. As I’ve worked with these young non-native English speakers I’ve gained insight as to their learning process. You may be surprised to know that it takes 5-7 years for children to learn a second language proficiently enough to fully participate in academic learning. This chart shows the five stages of learning a second language. While some of my 3 and 4-year-old students enter the classroom with a little conversational English, they are unable to recognize English letters. Other students enter my classroom with no previous knowledge of English. As you can see on the chart, it takes up to three years to have enough language to answer “how” and “why” questions and to use short sentences to describe and question things in their world. Understanding the disconnect between academic ability and language skills is important in helping English language students, as they may seem fluent in English but struggle to understand a textbook. ECP is laying a foundation for children’s language learning. Most of my students graduate from ECP in stage 2 with the top few students achieving stage 3 before heading to kindergarten. I am honored to help these students learn English alongside other preschool skills such as identifying letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. I have noticed that the children learn most from hands-on activities and toys. They also learn from each other, for instance when one child says “I don’t like it” at snack time, others repeat the phrase even if they previously enjoyed the food provided. I encourage this peer learning as they feel empowered in helping one another. One of my students, Ausmita, entered ECP at age 3 with no English. When I realized she was using the Nepali word to say “finished”, I started saying it in English to give her context. By the time she graduated from her second year at ECP in May, she was using full sentences and asking questions. My students are courageous speaking in a new language, and I try to make them feel heard. I relate to their experience of learning a new language from my time as a missionary in Mongolia. The patience and kindness of the people I met helped me feel encouraged to keep trying. Building confidence is an important part of the process. My goal is to help the children achieve proficiency before kindergarten, but I understand that retaining their native language is important to their parents. Sometimes the only practice they have with English is in my classroom. To help kids continue learning at home, I provide kindergarten kits to […]

ECP Graduation teachers with students

Kyla and Marcele Talk Mental Health

Kyla Ross, Basic Needs Coordinator; Marcele Reola, Intake and Service Coordinator; and Rachel White, Development and Communications Manager Mental health illnesses affect more than 20% of American adults. That’s more than 50 million people according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Locally, several South Hills suburbs are rated as having moderately high levels of mental health need, including Baldwin, Whitehall, and Dormont. At SHIM, we strive to holistically help neighbors in need- that includes neighbors facing mental health issues. While we don’t have counselors on staff, many of our employees have completed mental health training to better equip themselves to help. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with service coordinator Marcele and basic needs coordinator Kyla about what we can do to help neighbors facing mental health issues. Mental health issues are more common than we think, affecting people of all races, religions, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. Just like a cancer diagnoses, a mental health diagnosis requires a treatment plan. Marcele’s personal experience with mental health challenges informs her work of helping others. She helps people advocate for themselves and their loved ones, sharing resources and connecting people to mental health professionals. She is open about her own journey, empowering others to find their path. “It’s part of who I am but that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me.” -Marcele Kyla partly attributes her productivity to her bipolar diagnosis. Excellent at breaking down problems and finding solutions, she embraces the ways in which her active mind and attention to details benefit her work. “Bipolar is my superpower. If my brain didn’t work the way it does, I wouldn’t be able to jump in and do my job the way I do.” -Kyla Helping our neighbors includes giving them space to be themselves. Sometimes people feel ashamed to talk about their struggles, as mental health issues can carry stigma. We can help by being good listeners. “The more we talk about it the more we remove and dissolve the stigma. You might not have all the right answers, but just listening will help.” -Marcele Marcele also recommends becoming educated about mental health. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and resolve Crisis Services can empower people to help their loved ones. The more we know about mental health, the easier it becomes to address challenges. Even children can learn more through social and emotional learning. We can teach them the vocabulary they need to express their feelings and equip them with the tools they need to build healthy lives. For those struggling with mental health issues, Kyla and Marcele agree that persistence is key. Finding the right therapist or the right dose of medicine can take time. Sometimes things don’t work as well as you’d hoped, and the process can make you feel vulnerable. Try not to get discouraged and remember that transparency is important in facing hurdles. “Therapists are like shoes. Once you find the pair that fits, it’s amazing!” -Marcele Kyla remembers keeping her mental health struggles a secret because she watched other people in her life face judgement while fighting similar battles. She […]

Kyla and Marcele

Helping People Holistically-by SHIM coordinator Lisa

by Lisa Turske, SHIM Service Coordinator Some people have misconceptions about the clients SHIM serves. As a service coordinator, I’m on the frontlines working with South Hills residents who need help. I can tell you from my experience that we have much more in common with one another than we have differences! Many of our clients have faced unexpected hardships that, coupled with world events and changing economics, has brought them to our door. With a background and training in the education field, I came to the social work field later in life. I spent a few years as a substitute teacher in elementary schools and also led children’s programs at the Carnegie Science Center before pausing my career to be a stay-at-home mom. When I returned to the workforce, my teaching credentials were no longer valid, so I looked for a new career path. I found a job as an activity director for a local nursing home. Many of my skills transferred as I arranged activities for people with different levels of physical and cognitive abilities. I enjoyed planning interesting activities and adapting them to the needs of the residents. After the coronavirus pandemic, I was looking for a new job but wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. Instead of perusing job listings I decided to go straight to websites for local organizations that I knew and loved. As a South Hills native – I grew up in Carnegie and have lived in Bethel Park since 2006- I’d been connected to SHIM for years. I even participated in the SHIM Shuffle a few times! How lucky I felt when I saw that they had an opening for service coordinator. When I arrived, I realized that my listening skills and ability to assess needs were an asset to my role in helping people address crises. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I quickly learned how important it is for clients to have a reliable place to turn for help. Whether they are facing illness, unemployment, a death in the family, divorce, or even falling victim to scams, many of the people who come to SHIM are facing unexpected hurdles that are out of their control. Coupled with the rising cost of food and fuel, it’s hard for people to manage. Some of your own neighbors who never needed assistance before and had stable finances, are currently finding themselves facing very tough financial situations. When working with clients, I like to help them see things from different angles. For example, if someone is having trouble keeping up with bills, I encourage them to come to our food pantries so they can save more money to put towards other bills. We look at their situation from all possible points of view to see which programs can be utilized and to see what options are available to them. I do a lot of research to find resources throughout Pittsburgh. I even find helpful agencies and programs scrolling through Facebook! Every time I find a new resource, I add it to my list so that I can offer clients a […]

Lisa Turske, service coordinator

Translate »