Pittsburgh, Pa. (June 18, 2018) – South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is excited to announce the oncoming of four new staff members and two new board members.
Corrie Yanko, service coordinator; Erin Murray, lead early childhood teacher; Deborah Dempsey, volunteer manager; and Netra Kafley, family development specialist joined SHIM’s staff.
Tim Millett, deputy general counsel of employment, PNC and Melanie Sanfilippo, administrator of program and technology relations, Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently joined SHIM’s Board of Directors.
“The SHIM family continues to grow to better our community,” said James Guffey, executive director, SHIM. “Our goal is to make a difference in people’s lives, so it’s a great feeling to see these dedicated individuals join the team and take on leadership roles to help the hard-working people of the South Hills.”
This group is comprised of leaders and professionals in the Pittsburgh area who dedicate their talents and expertise to help SHIM serve the South Hills. SHIM’s recent new staff members include:
- Corrie Yanko joined SHIM as service coordinator and is responsible for direct assistance to individuals and families, including providing guidance to families and individuals in crisis, offering advocacy help and referrals to outside services, and administering special programs designed to promote self-sufficiency. Yanko received a Bachelor of Arts from La Roche College and a Master of Science from Chatham University. She worked in a professional capacity for several employers, including Holy Family Institute and UPMC.
- Erin Murray joins as SHIM’s lead early childhood teacher, where she provides supportive and educational services to children and parents (many who came to the U.S. as refugees) to help them succeed in school and life. Murray works with children of all different stages of development, with different skills, abilities, and challenges. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from John Carrol University and has prior experiences with SS. Simon and Jude Early Childhood Center, Crafton Child Learning Center and Schaeffer Elementary – Huntington Learning Center.
- Deborah Dempsey assumed the responsibilities of volunteer manager. She coordinates over 150 regular volunteer opportunities for more than 15 different programs and all special events. She is also responsible for assisting fundraising and donor relations. Dempsey has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University and has extensive experience in non-profit management and information systems, including an approximate 20-year tenure from Jefferson Hospital.
- Netra Kafley joined SHIM as a family development specialist. She assists families with children five and under with difficult life events, development of parenting skills and understanding of child development. Kafley studied at the Mechi Multiple College in Thapa, Nepal and has experience as a Nepali interpreter and as a family support specialist. Kafley’s additional work experience includes Easter Seals Blake Foundation in Tucson, AZ, and as a volunteer at the Bhutanese Mutual Assistance Association (BMAAT) of Tucson, AZ.
In addition to adding to SHIM’s staff, two new professionals have joined SHIM’s Board of Directors.
- Tim Millett received his J.D. from Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University. He joined PNC’s Legal Department in 2000. In addition to managing the HR Legal Group for PNC, Millett is also the chair of PNC’S Pro Bono Committee. He came to PNC from the United States Senate, where he was responsible for delivery of legal services to and representation of all senate offices in labor and employment matters. Millett was previously a trial attorney at Kindel & Anderson and Seyfarth Shaw in Los Angeles and served as a judicial clerk in the United States District Court for Nevada.
- Melanie Sanfilippo, a South Hills resident, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her Masters in Social Work. She began her career in 2002 as an intern with Children, Youth, and Families for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). As technology shifted, she began teaching social workers how technology can benefit themselves and the work they do. Sanfilippo now works across all areas of human services with DHS as their administrator of program and technology relations providing technology solutions that simplify human services work.
South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is a human services organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in need across the South Hills. This includes working to reduce the devastating effects of suburban poverty among the working poor, unemployed, families, single parents, senior citizens, women, and the high concentration of refugee families in its service area. SHIM works to identify the most critical needs across the South Hills, then develops and implements effective solutions. SHIM aims to empower individuals and families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency by offering short-term help with basic needs (food, clothing, utilities) and longer-term support (employment, financial planning, youth programs, family support) to help people build and sustain promising futures.
For more information please contact:
Abby Mathieu
abby@blenderadv.com
412-709- 6149 (Office)
304-281- 8097 (Mobile)
