Youth Programs
SHIM Youth Programs support children, providing enrichment that empowers them to thrive.
Early Childhood Program
SHIM’s Early Childhood Program (ECP) provides supportive and educational services to help children succeed in school and in life. ECP lessons include colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. The goal is for children to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed academically, socially, and developmentally with minimal need for school-based services. ECP classroom activities are flexible and child-centered, recognizing that the children SHIM serves will come to the program at very different stages of development, with different skills, abilities, and challenges. This program has limited availability due to capacity limits.
- 30 students each year attend Early Childhood Program
- 90% of four year old students enter kindergarten without needing language services
Contact Lead Teacher Diana Hunsberger for more information at dhunsberger@shimcares.org or 412-892-4673 ext. 325.
After School Program
In SHIM’s After School program, students complete homework, participate in academic enrichment, and socialize with others, including those from other countries. Attentive supervision and enriching activities encourage students to nurture a love of learning. This program has limited availability due to capacity limits.
- 75 children attend SHIM’s After School Program
- SHIM’s After School and Youth Mentoring Programs were the 2018 beneficiary of the APOST Quality Award
Contact Becky Brown for more information at bbrown@shimcares.org or (412) 551-7642.
Contact Ashley Bajkowski for more information about Summer Camp at abajkowski@shimcares.org or (412) 742-6122.
Youth Mentoring Program
SHIM’s Youth Mentoring program offers a welcoming space for middle and high school refugee/immigrant students, providing vital resources for them to graduate from high school and achieve post-high school success in college, trade school, or the workplace. SHIM provides students with experiences that will prepare them to be the next generation of community leaders.
- 150 students participate in Youth Mentoring
- 100% of Youth Mentoring seniors graduate high school
- SHIM’s Youth Mentoring Program was one of two organizations to be awarded the 2019 Excellence in Mentoring Award from The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA
Contact Susie Backscheider for more information at susie@shimcares.org or 412-892-4673 ext. 340.
SHIM also provides an eight week summer camp each year to over 300 kids, providing continued support to children when they are out of school.
Learn more about Youth Mentoring teens and their experiences growing up in America as part of refugee and immigrant families.
You can also hear from youth program staff about the goals of the programs, and how SHIM is unique in serving youth in the South Hills.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to help your neighbors. Generous volunteers nurture preschool children, aid after school students with their homework, and encourage youth mentoring teens fill out college applications. Learn how you can make a difference here.
Donate
SHIM is grateful for the community members who donate food, clothing, and financial contributions to keep programs running. Find out about the different ways you can help your neighbors by clicking here.
Learn
SHIM is an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) approved organization. This means that businesses can give children the opportunity to attend high-quality pre-k while earning a tax credit. Find out more here.
Find out more about Family Support Programs, including home visits, nurturing parenting classes, Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC) and more:
