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

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

Black History Month and Beyond- Kyla’s Perspective

by Kyla Ross, SHIM Basic Needs Coordinator As Black History Month ends, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to continue thinking about amplifying messages of equity and inclusion. While many of us in the nonprofit community have made strides in this area, we sometimes feel hesitant in knowing what steps to take. As a Black woman, I want to share my thoughts about how we can honor Black history while moving in the right direction. It’s great that we have a month dedicated to honoring African American people but dedicating the shortest month of the year to emphasizing a complicated history of 47.9 million Americans doesn’t seem like enough to change public perceptions. Racism is a tough topic, and I’m not going to dwell on the hardships that Black people have faced in our country. Instead, I want to talk about how we can move forward together to improve inclusivity in our communities. When I educate myself, my children, and the people in my life, about Black history, I don’t limit it to February. Though it is purposely thought about and discussed during the month, it feels constrained to only focus on it during this designated time. I’ve lived in several different parts of the United States, and I’ve noticed that misconceptions most often occur in communities where residents haven’t traveled much or experienced life outside of their small towns. I’ve witnessed small-mindedness in several communities, even within Black communities, when people haven’t taken the time to learn about people who are different from them. One of the ways in which we can make a difference is by calling out bigotry or stereotypes when we are faced with them. Many of us are tempted to stay silent when a friend or family member says something judgmental or uninformed because we are afraid of confrontation. From my experience, this is the perfect time to educate! Instead of being quiet, enlighten people who may have misconceptions. If you step up in the moment, especially with people you are intimate with in your life, you can make a difference. I see similarities between Black people fleeing slavery and some of our current SHIM clients, who have fled persecution based on their religion or culture. When it comes down to being inclusive and open minded, getting to know people beyond physical appearances will ultimately help us build more inclusive societies. You can read all you want about Black history, but if you don’t have conversations then that knowledge won’t spread. Learn about people’s actual experiences and be comfortable asking questions. Make space for alternate viewpoints, and you’ll find that we are more alike than we are different. Read more about our values.

Smiling Kyla, basic needs coordinator

Fatherhood Program Empowers Refugee Dads

Netra Kafley, Fatherhood Program Coordinator SHIM programs work to holistically help families address barriers to build healthy lives. One of the lesser-known programs is our Fatherhood Program. This program grew from interest among students enrolled in our Nurturing Parenting classes. Most of the participants were moms, and they expressed their desire to have the dads learn parenting skills too. Even though dads are invited to attend Nurturing Parenting classes, it is less common for them to participate. I began researching ways to help dads in our local refugee and immigrant community. I received a couple of trainings from 24/7 DAD (A Curriculum developed by the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) for their fatherhood training program, which encourages fathers to be involved, responsible, and committed to their children 24 hours 7 days a week. I also received training from Promundo –US on their Manhood 2.0: A Curriculum Promoting a Gender-Equitable Future of Manhood curriculum and facilitated classes using these resources. Many of the men I work with in my Dad’s Group were raised in households where men barely participated in household work and child-rearing. I enjoy sharing with them the joys (and difficulties) of being an equal partner in the parenting process. Encouraging them to learn skills equips them to be better fathers and husbands. I was born in Bhutan and was forced to leave the country in the year 1992. I lived in a refugee camp in Nepal for 18 years before moving to the United States. I feel lucky that my parents were more flexible in their parenting and division of their household work than some of the more traditional families I knew (where parents had more control and unrealistic expectations on their children). Men were barely involved in parenting and other household tasks because of the harmful social and cultural norms and expectations associated with what it means to be a man. When I had my own kids, I learned to be calmer, more patient, and comfortable to participate in household work. Many of the dads in my parenting class have strong opinions about keeping traditions. It can be a tough sell to tell dads to take on more work and to give their children more leniency in obedience methods. These kinds of gender disparities are difficult to dispel, but our welcoming classroom helps dads discuss these ideas and consider changing their perceptions. Even as I teach Nurturing Parenting classes and Dad’s Group I learn alongside my students. As a parent, we are always tackling new challenges. When we share our experiences, we learn from one another. I’m grateful to be part of this nurturing environment. Want to learn more about one dad’s experience? Check out Bhim’s story.

Smiling Netra with kid

Honoring MLK Through Volunteering

Ann Talarek, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator As the volunteer engagement coordinator at SHIM, I think about serving the community often. Today we celebrate the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and I am heartened to share my thoughts on volunteering. As Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” Giving back to your community is a wonderful feeling. You get a sense that you are making it stronger by helping those in need and providing a welcoming environment. I have been volunteering for most of my adult life. Volunteering your time and energy to an organization or cause that is important to you gives an immense feeling of satisfaction that you are doing good for your community. We’re lucky to have an amazing volunteer base here at SHIM. Last year, over 300 volunteers dedicated more than 15,000 hours to helping others. Whether they were driving our truck to pick up food at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, growing food in one of our community gardens, or helping kids from foreign-born families with their homework, they are a vital piece of our workforce. Our volunteers feel that they are making a positive impact on those we serve. If you’re thinking about getting involved in volunteering, I think the most important thing to do is to find out what interests you so that you can use your time and talents in an environment that suits you. One of the misconceptions I hear is that only certain kinds of people are suitable for volunteering. For example, food pantry volunteers need to be able to lift 50 pounds. While we certainly appreciate our heavy-lifting volunteers, we have a number of volunteers who do fewer physical tasks. Whether you love to talk on the phone or prefer to sit quietly at a computer doing data entry, we have volunteer opportunities that fit different needs. We have volunteers that prefer data entry, some that prefer direct client contact, or more physical activities like food distribution or working in the community gardens. I love helping people find the right fit! Every day, our volunteers amaze me with their kindness and dedication. Every SHIM volunteer contributes in so many ways. I am inspired by their dedication and commitment to helping others, along with their positive energy and the fact that they choose to spend their valuable time and skills to help us help South Hills neighbors in need. On the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, I feel especially appreciative of the generosity of our volunteers. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always ripe to do right.” Join us! www.shimcares.org/volunteer

Ann Talarek

Big Changes at SHIM Center in Bethel Park

by Jim Guffey, Executive Director As you may have noticed if you’ve driven by our Bethel Park location at the corner of Park Avenue and South Park Road, we are renovating! It’s been a long process, but we’re excited to finally be making accessibility improvements to our facility. SHIM programs are currently housed in three locations in Bethel Park, Whitehall and Baldwin. Our original home was in South Hills Village Mall, but we’ve moved multiple times since those humble beginnings in 1968. When we purchased our Bethel Park facility in 2009, we knew we would need to make some updates. Currently, the building houses SHIM’s administrative offices, service coordinators, donation center, utility assistance hub, community clothing closet, and its largest food pantry. Modest capital improvements have been made over the past decade, including a new roof, parking lot paving, HVAC upgrades, and a security system installation. In the last fifteen years, we’ve grown from a $300,000 organization with 5 full-time staff members to a $2.9 million organization with 27 full-time staff members! At the same time, we’ve dramatically increased the number of people we serve through our comprehensive programs. As more and more people come to SHIM for help, the need to invest in enhancements to our Bethel Park facility became a priority. We are renovating 7,200 square feet of existing area to improve client support services and reconfigure administrative offices. We’re also adding an elevator and a 350 square foot addition at the lower level, providing an on-grade accessible entrance immediately adjacent to SHIM’s parking lot. The accessible addition will enhance the building specifications to comply with the established guidelines of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and allow guests to enter SHIM Center safely. A new vestibule will also be constructed adjacent to the waiting area, providing an energy efficient entrance into the building. The addition will create a singular entrance point for clients and supporters which will improve their experience and the efficiency of staff. If you’ve ever donated food to us and wondered where to go, you’ll notice a huge improvement in our new welcoming reception area! We are blessed to have support for this project from a variety of sources, including Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism funds, along with generous support from individuals, foundations, and congregations. While the initial project was expected to cost $700,000, the total project cost is now upwards of $1.3 million, partly due to inflation. Thanks in part to our successful Do More Good Campaign, we are able to make these important investments to better serve our South Hills neighbors. The renovation should be completed in late spring, and I look forward to welcoming you into our new space! Stay up to date on our renovation.

Renovation graphic

Celebrating 7 Years of Joyful Fundraising at SHIM: Bridging Hearts and Impact

Seth Dubin, Director of Development and Communications As I approach my seventh anniversary working at the South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) as a development professional, I find myself reflecting on the pure joy that comes from fundraising for a community-focused, hyper-local, and mission-driven human services non-profit. When I first joined SHIM, I was drawn to the organization’s unwavering commitment to the South Hills community, a place where I’ve lived and grown to love. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was the satisfaction that comes from connecting generous people in the community who want to help with those who need help right in our own backyard. At SHIM, fundraising isn’t merely about securing dollars; it’s about weaving a vibrant tapestry of human connection. It’s about nurturing a community where children joyfully donate food, neighbors gather to support one another, and individuals use their hard-earned dollars to make a difference in their own South Hills community. It’s about understanding that each contribution, whether large or small, is a testament to the shared belief that together, we can create meaningful change. Skills for Building Bridges of Compassion To succeed in fundraising at SHIM, one must cultivate a unique skill set. It’s not just about spreadsheets and solicitations; it’s about empathy, storytelling, and building bridges of compassion. 1. Empathy: To connect people who want to help with those in need, one must first understand both sides deeply. Empathy fuels our ability to resonate with the concerns and passions of our donors and the challenges faced by our clients. 2. Storytelling: Stories are the heart of our work. They turn statistics into faces, challenges into opportunities, and donors into champions. Crafting and sharing these stories allows us to engage hearts as well as minds. 3. Community Engagement: Building and nurturing relationships within our community is a priority. Whether it’s partnering with local businesses, schools, or faith-based organizations, it’s these collaborations that amplify our impact. 4. Stewardship: Acknowledging the importance of donor engagement is key. Expressing gratitude and reporting on tangible impact ensures that our supporters feel valued and connected to the change they enable. From Children to Philanthropists: Every Contribution Matters One of the most beautiful aspects of working at SHIM is the wide spectrum of giving. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing children donating their allowances, teenagers organizing food drives, and retirees dedicating their valuable time. Simultaneously, I’ve stood beside individuals and families who contribute significantly, providing the financial backbone of our organization and enabling SHIM to sustain well into the future. Every contribution, regardless of its size, is a testament to the incredible spirit of our community. It reminds me that philanthropy knows no bounds; it’s an act of love and compassion that transcends age and financial capacity. Donor Engagement and Reporting: Strengthening the Bonds Donor engagement is not just a buzzword at SHIM; it’s a core value. We believe in building lasting relationships with our supporters. We invite them to our events, share our successes, and ensure they know that their partnership is genuinely appreciated. Our commitment to reporting on tangible impact is equally important. When we can show donors […]

Cropped Seth Dubin

Violins of Hope Event

Rachel White, Development and Communications Manager Pittsburgh does a great job of bringing people together. We’re the city of bridges, and I think that includes both physical and spiritual bridges! As we’ve worked together with the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh, I have gotten to witness the power of music in connecting communities. From students to professionals, from the North Hills to the South Hills, Pittsburghers of all religious and cultural backgrounds are gathering in the spirit of unity. The Violins of Hope exhibit is a collection of restored instruments that were played by Jewish musicians during the holocaust. They represent resilience and hope as lasting symbols from a time of injustice and suffering. The value of this exhibit and the many performances being presented across the city are the connections being made. Performers are touching history when they play on these instruments that were once played by persecuted Jews. Through remembrance, we learn lessons about acceptance and peace. Peace requires active participation, and sharing the stories of these violins within our city allows us to collectively reflect on our responsibilities to maintain peace. Especially as we hear about the tragic events in Israel, I am heartened to participate in events that bring diverse audiences together. Coming on November 13, we will be hosting an event that will include student readings, student performances, and music played by the renowned Clarion Quartet. WTAE News Anchor Shannon Perinne will emcee the event, which is free. Register for the event HERE. I hope you will join me in gathering in the spirit of unity here in the South Hills!

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Netra Explains Dashara

Netra Kafley, SHIM Fatherhood Program Coordinator Working at SHIM, I have the pleasure of meeting people from many cultural backgrounds. We enjoy learning from each other and sharing our traditions. As a former Refugee who moved to the US 14 years ago, I value my ability to celebrate Hindu holidays like Dashara. Dashara is also known as Vijayadashami (Sanskrit), Dashara or Dashain and is a major Hindu festival celebrated by the Hindu community. This festival usually falls in September or October, depending on the Lunar Calendar. The exact dates vary each year, as it depends on the position of the Moon. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and is observed by Hindu. The festival lasts for 15 days, with each day having its own significance, rituals, and celebrations. “Vijaya” means victory and “Dashami” means tenth day on the lunar fortnight. The main highlight of the festival, Vijayadashami, occurs on the tenth day when families come together to exchange blessings and apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on each other’s foreheads. I usually celebrate by blessing my children first, then we go to my parents’ house. My siblings also come along with their family. My family gather in our Parents’ house with cultural dresses on, cooking cultural food, and getting blessing from our parents by applying flower and Tika on our foreheads. After that, we go to other relatives’ houses like my in-laws or uncles to continue the festival. This year, people celebrate Vijayadashami on Oct 23, and some do on 24th as well, depending on if they follow the Calendar which is developed based on Nepal’s time, or America’s time. Whichever day you celebrate, I wish you peace, prosperity, and Happiness! Happy Vijayadashami!!

Netra Dashara Picture

Little Amal at the Citizenship Ceremony

Casey Rich, SHIM South Hills Family Center Site Director On September 21st, I had the opportunity to participate in a spectacular Welcoming event that I know I will remember for many years to come. I set out for the City-County building that day excited to observe a naturalization ceremony, something I have not had the chance to do in quite a few years. A SHIM client that I have worked with through some pretty difficult times, Lila, was granted her United States Citizenship after seven years of perseverance and hard work. Candidates for citizenship go through months of applications, interviews, and an exam in English and United States History. They also must be found to be “of good moral character” – i.e. that they have not committed any serious crimes during their time in the United States. Lila, a 60-year-old single woman who arrived alone as a refugee from Bhutan, had challenges with the testing and applications due to her age and low level of English. So, it was very exciting to get to see her complete the naturalization process and officially become an American citizen. That alone would have been reason to attend the ceremony on a gorgeous day in September in downtown Pittsburgh. But the Mayor’s office had a surprise for the candidates that day. Little Amal was going to join and be part of the naturalization ceremony. Little Amal is a traveling experiential art piece – a 12 foot tall puppet depicting a Syrian refugee girl on a journey to find her new home. In each city she travels to, she visits theaters and outdoor public events to spread awareness about the stories of displaced people across the globe. Pittsburgh was one of her first stops in the US; by the end of her trip, she will have travelled over 6,000 miles across the country. Before coming to the US, she walked all over Europe in places like Turkey, France, the UK, Greece, and Poland. In conjunction with her appearances, the Walk with Amal organization coordinates with local governments and nonprofits to hold film screenings, group discussions, school events, and large-scale community projects focused on welcoming. Here in Pittsburgh, Amal visited the Carrie Blast Furnaces, the August Wilson Center, and Whitney Park in Wilkinsburg, as well as the City-County building for this very unique naturalization ceremony I attended. When I arrived at the intersection of Grant Street and Fourth Avenue, I saw crowds of school kids in uniforms – not the typical setting for this ceremony, which usually takes place inside the courthouse or at the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) Field Office in the Southside. This ceremony was set up outside with rows of folding chairs under the portico. And while these are usually pretty low-key events, with speeches and quiet applause, this one had a buzz of excitement around it. The kids held little American flags and handmade signs and were obviously excited to be out of the classroom for the morning. But the real excitement came when passers-by on the street started to hold up their cell phones like they were taking […]

Lila's citizenship ceremony with Little Amal, Michelle, and Casey

Welcoming Week Spotlight on Language Access

Casey Rich, SHIM Family Center Site Director Did you know that more than 7% of people in Allegheny County speak a language other than English? Equity is recognizing that all people are not given the same resources and opportunities. When we think about equity, we often focus on systemic racial discrimination, like unfair housing policies. But we would like to focus here on another issue related to inequity: language access. And Welcoming Week is the perfect time to highlight this issue – every step we take toward increasing language access makes Pittsburgh more welcoming to our foreign-born community! “Everything comes back to language access. You can have challenges with housing, healthcare, or employment. In all of those challenges for life necessities and happiness, language access is a barrier.”- Holly Hickling, Executive Director, The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh’s South Hills suburbs have the highest concentration of refugees in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Here in the Baldwin Whitehall School District (BWSD), the Asian population grew 477% from 2010-2020, mostly from Asian countries. BWSD students speak 30 different languages and 23% of the district’s elementary-aged students speak Nepali at home. As a trusted partner of the refugee and immigrant community, we have seen firsthand how language barriers contribute to inequality. Many refugees and immigrants arrive in Pittsburgh with little or no English, and they struggle to access available resources. These new neighbors are full of ambition, but it takes time and perseverance to learn a new language. Not only is the process difficult, but many have to work long hours to support their families with low-paying jobs and are unable to make time for weekly English classes. Additionally, there is a strain on existing resources, and capacity is limited for ESL classes. Many potential students are on a waitlist until more spots open. In the United States, 11 million people aren’t proficient in English. That’s about 10% of working age adults. “It takes about 350 hours of instruction to reach a functional level of language proficiency, says Johan Uvin, a former official in the Obama administration’s Department of Education, but most students spend only about 140 hours in formal English classes.” (Why Can’t Immigrants Learn English? – The Atlantic) Transportation can be another barrier, as can childcare needs and isolation. Add to that the trauma that many have experienced in their journeys to America, and finding brain space for language learning can feel overwhelming. When I learned languages in school, it took years to become proficient. Even with my limited proficiency in French from my college study abroad program years ago, it would definitely take me a while to get comfortable functioning day-to-day in France now! Many foreign-born parents find themselves relying on their children for translation and interpretation. This puts kids in a difficult situation, putting too much pressure on the parent-child relationship. Interpreting for a parent can be uncomfortable, and there may be pieces of information the parent chooses not to share because it’s inappropriate. Some of the most common situations where kids are relied on for interpretation are at doctor’s offices, in schools, and in emergency situations. All these scenarios require […]

Welcoming week blog

Gardens Help to Alleviate Hunger

Rachel White, Development and Communications Manager We’re enjoying an excellent harvest season in our community gardens, and at the same time we are observing Hunger Action Month, which focuses on food insecurity. The juxtaposition of bountiful baskets of food and long lines of people attending our food pantries gave me pause. How is it that a country so full of resources, not to mention so much food waste, has so many hungry people? Our food pantries benefited 6,205 people last year. Men, women, children, veterans, seniors, immigrants and refugees—no one is immune to hunger. More than half of households relying on our food pantries are employed, and many have more than one job. Unfortunately, their wages aren’t high enough to keep up with the cost of living. While some of the people who come to pantries are experiencing a crisis, such as a job loss or an unexpected medical bill, we’re seeing more people just struggling to keep up with monthly bills like rent and utilities. While inflation is slowly dropping, food prices have remained high. Hopefully, inflation’s steady decline will help ease the burden on low-income households, but changes to eligibility for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have hit local families hard. How do we make things better? Luckily, we have amazing neighbors here in the South Hills who help to provide 700,000 pounds of food to people facing food insecurity. Through generous donations of food, personal care items, and monetary donations, we keep our shelves stocked. With a focus on nutritious offerings, our Community Garden program plays an essential role in providing healthy produce at a low cost. What is the Community Garden program? Twelve years ago, our first garden was established outside our Bethel Park facility by our amazing garden coordinator Becky. As the need continued to grow, Becky contacted local congregations to add community gardens to our network. The program BLOSSOMED (perfect garden pun, right?), and we now have 11 partners growing food for our pantries along with our two SHIM gardens. These gardens grow more than 15,000 pounds each season! What is unique about our gardens? One of the best things about the garden program is its ability to adapt to the preferences of the people we serve. About half of the people who utilize our pantries are refugees and immigrants. They like different foods than Americans, and those foods can sometimes be hard to find. Our dedicated gardeners consult with pantry clients and include their most desired items in their planting. They grow long beans, bitter gourds, and hot peppers- things that you would never find at Giant Eagle! Who does this work? The most inspiring thing about our community gardens program is the volunteers. With only one part-time garden coordinator managing 2 SHIM gardens and overseeing 11 partner gardens, we rely on a team of dedicated volunteers. From planting to weeding, watering to harvesting, volunteers take on the many duties required to keep plants producing all season. On hot, humid summer days or on cold rainy fall days, our volunteers are committed to growing as much food as possible […]

Gilfillan Garden 2023

My Experience at the Afghan Support Center Resource Fair

Casey Rich, Family Center Site Director Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in Pittsburgh’s Afghan Support Center (ASC), a huge resource fair designed specifically for Afghan families who have relocated to the area. The four-day event showcased a host of Allegheny County’s most dedicated social service providers at the Pittsburgh Marriot downtown. Run by staff at Cherokee Federal, the ASC was the fourth in a series of seven resource fairs held across the country this year geared toward newer arrivals from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Welcome. At SHIM, we work with a relatively small number of Afghan families, so we thought this would be a great opportunity for outreach to a new community, some of whom live and work in the South Hills. Who brought this event to Pittsburgh? Cherokee Federal is “a team of tribally owned federal contracting companies focused on building solutions, solving complex challenges, and serving the nation’s mission.” The Cherokee Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United States, with more than 400,000 members. Entirely owned by the Cherokee Nation and headquartered in northeast Oklahoma, they aim to invest all profits back into Cherokee communities, by supporting native-owned businesses, community education and training programs, and various social services. Why did they choose Pittsburgh for the ASC? Partnered with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Cherokee Federal identified Pittsburgh as a city that would benefit from hosting this event – a place with a significant population of Afghan families that continues to grow. As of a year ago, local refugee resettlement organizations had welcomed between 700-800 Afghan individuals. These families are living all over Allegheny County. Affordable housing is scarce, so it’s rare that families get to live in the same community or neighborhood as other speakers of their language. Instead, they’re scattered across the city, often without access to cars or drivers’ licenses. These are the folks who need resources the most – those who are not well-connected to an immediate support system they can lean on. Enter the Afghan Support Center: a limited-time, one-stop shop for any resource ranging from public benefits to employment help, family support services to legal assistance. What is this community facing? What are their needs? First, some important things you might not know about these new Pittsburghers: 1. People from Afghanistan are referred to as Afghans (the noun) or Afghan (the adjective). Sometimes you may hear the term Afghani used to describe the people, which is incorrect and can be offensive. Only the unit of money used in the country is called an Afghani. 2. Most people from Afghanistan speak either Dari or Pashto. Which language you speak depends on what region you are from. They are both written with the Arabic alphabet, so it is often assumed that Afghans speak Arabic – especially since they are also generally Muslim. 3. A large percentage of recent Afghan arrivals come to the US with a unique visa designation called a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) that is available only to those who worked for the US government in their country as translators, interpreters, or in […]

Interpreters at ASC

School Supplies Strain a Budget!

Rachel White, Development and Communications Manager I recently teamed up with my colleague, family and community engagement specialist Dawn Rees, to see how much school supplies cost this year. It seems the cost to send kids back to school only rises and never falls, and we wanted to see just how hard families are going to get hit this year. Since our youth programs mostly serve kids from the Baldwin Whitehall School District (BWSD), we used their school supply lists to make our estimate. Many of the families we serve have more than one kid, so we estimated for a family that has a 2nd grader, a 5th grader, and an 8th grader. We wanted to get the most accurate estimate. Knowing that most of the families we serve shop at Walmart, Dawn headed off to the local Walmart to check out various supplies. Dawn looked for pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, not to mention dry erase boards with markers, and so much more. She also checked out the backpack selection, which ranged from $6 all the way to $35! Once we had our price list, we obtained last year’s school supply lists from BWSD. While these can vary between schools and even between teachers, we came up with an average amount. Are you ready for this? This family would pay $397.50 to get everything the school requests! For families just getting by, this is an enormous expense. Especially as inflation has kept prices high, we’re seeing more families on the brink of economic hardship. Imagine spending all your paycheck on rent, utilities, and food, and then wondering where you can find $400 to purchase school supplies. We know many parents feel crushed by this extra expense. Thank goodness we have the best neighbors here in the South Hills, who help us to provide backpacks and school supplies to local kids. Can you help us collect school supplies for this year’s distributions? We expect to serve 1,500 kids at our three distributions, so we could really use your support! Much like our food pantries, participants have a chance to pick out the items they like best, so we hope to have a large selection of school supplies available to them. For more information, head HERE to see our most needed items list, register a donation drive, or make a financial contribution. You will empower local kids to head back to school with confidence! If you need help getting supplies for your kids, our distributions will be on Aug. 15, 17, and 18. You can find more information HERE by scrolling to the bottom.

Resized Dawn BTS shopping

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