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.…...
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!…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
