Financial Wellness Help
Through a variety of financial assistance programs, SHIM helps individuals solve problems, set future goals, and achieve financial wellness.
SHIM desires to see all families thrive and provides a holistic approach to meet each family’s needs.
We help individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency by addressing underlying challenges and obstacles, beyond basic needs.
Steps to Success
Interested in taking the next step in your career? Or ready to develop a plan to pay off debts? SHIM service coordinators can help you identify financial and employment goals. Through education and training, along with nurturing support from coordinators, you can gain higher earnings and build a strong future.
Contact us today to see if you qualify.
Email: assistance@shimcares.org
Call: (412) 854-9120 ext 104
Or apply now by clicking on the button below:
Financial Assistance
SHIM offers a wide array of financial assistance programs, including emergency hardship grants, transportation aid, and tax help. Our wraparound services help individuals and families solve problems and regain economic stability.
Contact us to see how we can help.
Email: assistance@shimcares.org
Call: (412) 854-9120 ext 107.
Utility Assistance
SHIM can help you pay down utility bills thanks to local partnerships. Find out if you qualify for an emergency hardship grant through the Dollar Energy Fund, or if other programs can help you manage your gas, water, electric and sewage bills.
Contact Molly Penderville today to see if you qualify.
Email: mpenderville@shimcares.org
Call: (412) 854-9120 ext 108.
You can also apply for several assistance programs online:
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is open yearly from November-March to assist with heating bills. Apply online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome.
You can now apply or check your eligibility for several Dollar Energy Fund programs online at https://www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp/.
Mobility Mentoring
Contact Olivia Montana to learn more.
Email: omontana@shimcares.org
Call: (412) 854-9120 ext 124
At SHIM, we believe in fostering economic mobility and self-sufficiency among those we serve. Our Economic Mobility Mentoring framework aligns seamlessly with SHIM’s mission, vision, and values by providing personalized coaching and guidance to help participants improve financial stability and achieve long-term goals. By offering tailored support that respects the dignity of individuals and empowers them to take control of their futures, SHIM strengthens its commitment to creating a community where everyone has access to opportunities to increase their quality of life.
“Here at SHIM, we focus on helping neighbors holistically, and I’m so excited to be expanding our services to provide individualized coaching to South Hills residents who are ready to make a change.” –Economic Mobility Mentoring Specialist Olivia Montana
- Comprehensive One-on-One Mentorship for Lasting Economic Independence
- Participants are paired with trained mentors who provide personalized support in setting and achieving long-term goals.
- Empowering Participants with a Structured, Goal-Oriented Approach
- Using the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency model, mentors help participants navigate key areas of their lives- like housing, finances, and education- while fostering personal growth and skill development.
- Why Mobility Mentoring is Unique
- Unlike traditional case management in which the service coordinator usually manages tasks for the participants, in Economic Mobility Mentoring, the participant and their mentor collaborate to create and accomplish goals; it is a partnership.
SHIM envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our comprehensive programs help neighbors gain employment, transportation, and financial literacy, empowering them to build strong families and healthy communities.
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Stay connected to all of our programs in one place. You’ll receive updates about pantry schedules, program registrations and more. It’s easy to get started!
Additional Assistance
SHIM service coordinators work with individuals to build financially healthy households.
Last year SHIM helped approximately 150 clients connect to $71,146 in utility assistance from the Dollar Energy fund.
Through partnerships with Allegheny County Department of Human Services, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Dollar Energy, SHIM provides emergency funding to neighbors in crisis.
SHIM serves 1,000 individuals with case management and financial assistance each year. During the pandemic, call volume increased 80%, and SHIM hired two additional staff members to assist the growing number of neighbors seeking help. As South Hills residents recover from economic hardship, SHIM remains committed to helping neighbors navigate resources to get them back on their feet.
Single mother Ren Marie received an emergency grant after her business struggled to recover from the pandemic. Born into poverty, Ren Marie faced bullying in school and experienced depression. She wanted to go to college but was rejected by the schools she applied to. She enrolled in a technical fashion school to pursue her love of sewing. A few months into the program she found out she was pregnant. She dropped out to focus on her baby but was saddled with $27,000 of student loan debt. After an abusive marriage, Ren found it difficult to hold a job due to PTSD and extreme social anxiety. She began cleaning houses and turned that into a successful business. In 2019 her business had grown to the point where she hired additional employees. She bought her first car, and finally found her own home to rent with her son. When the pandemic wiped out her business, she used credit cards to pay for groceries and utilities. She fell behind on rent and continued to work to catch up through 2023. The interest from her credit card debt was compounding and she felt hopeless.
Ren turned to SHIM to help recover from credit card debt as she worked to rebuild her business. “I am beyond grateful that I received help through the impact grant, which covered a car payment and some debt relief.” Receiving help allowed Ren Marie to reduce her interest rate and alleviate the impending charge of car payments. The impact grant helped Ren Marie find financial stability.
