When neighbors help neighbors, change happens. Impact Report 2018
50 Fifty years of neighbors helping neighbors A
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What difference can a caring community make? Dear Neighbor, As we turned fifty this year, we took a look back at a half-century of impact. We reflected on the people who pulled themselves up out of difficult situations, thanks to a little support. We recalled volunteers who opened their hearts – and calendars – spending hours in the food pantries, gardens and homework tables. We recounted the incredible generosity of our community, from kindhearted corporate and foundation gifts to thoughtful donations of food, money, and clothing from our neighbors. All this nostalgia comes down to this: the power of people. We have come together in good times and bad, providing resources, support and hope when people need it most. We have witnessed neighbors take on incredible challenges to transform their lives and that of their families. We have demonstrated that together, there’s nothing we cannot accomplish. This review of SHIM’s impact in 2018 is filled with gratitude, of course. But it is also a call to action. As need continues to grow in the South Hills – and it is expanding at a startling rate – we have more work to do. This is not daunting, however. You have demonstrated – for fifty years – that we can do whatever it takes to help our neighbors. That is the way of the South Hills. And that is the very core of South Hills Interfaith Movement. We thank you deeply. And we look forward to the next half century of impact.
Jim Guffey Executive Director
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Neighbors helping 167,812 pounds of food were donated, a 45% increase over last year
151
caring organizations, congregations, corporations and groups made 233 financial contributions
Source: SHIM Impact Data for FY 2017-2018
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28,181
hours of volunteer time, a $246,646 value, demonstrates that neighbors helping neighbors is the heart of our work
1,100
children went back to school prepped for success with supplies
neighbors,
by the numbers.
4,000 neighbors turned to SHIM for support
1,263
neighbors gave 1,980 donations enabling SHIM to leverage the 5X buying power of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
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2,500
community members routinely engaged with our work through social media, emails and connections
9,308
pounds of healthy produce—and an eye-opening experience for 287 local students— from 15 community gardens
Mission: SHIM mobilizes community resources and implements sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve selfsufficiency, and build community. 3
Neighbors helping
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When Allison was unexpectedly downsized at a downtown firm, she immediately went in to worry mode. She knew she’d find another job. But with three growing boys, a monthly mortgage and utility payments, and a massive weekly grocery bill, how would she make ends meet until she landed on her feet again?
families
People come to SHIM for all kinds of reasons; most have never sought help before. This is why our team of volunteers and staff works so hard to make each encounter at SHIM one filled with compassion. After all, we are colleagues, relatives and neighbors.
Helping with basics: food, clothing, utility support
SHIM’s three food pantries are stocked with non-perishable staples and a bounty of fresh produce during our growing season so families can put healthy meals on the table. Additionally, they are a source for personal care items, diapers and household supplies for families who visit us at SHIM Center in Bethel Park, SHIM Family Center in Baldwin-Whitehall and Baldwin United Presbyterian Church. Your support of our pantries helped 3,500 people living in Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon, South Park and Upper St. Clair 33% are children 10% are disabled adults Living in 790 households Which means you provided 359,385 meals Neighbors can “shop” for donated seasonally appropriate clothing at SHIM’s Community Closet. And our expanded partnership with Goodwill of Southwestern PA provides families with gift cards to purchase winter coats, hats and clothing. Your support helped 2,212 neighbors who visited our community closet 25,464 articles of clothing 1,518 household items And you provided warm winter gear for 1,500 people As a screening site for the Dollar Energy utility assistance program, SHIM helps our neighbors receive a one-time utility grant if service has been terminated or is in danger of termination. This support helped more than 80 families, through more than $31,000 in utility assistance from the Dollar Energy Fund. Additionally, SHIM helped connect more than 150 families with assistance from LIHEAP, CAP, and ALCOSAN.
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A teenager with an interest in computers develops a passion that ultimately turns into a college major. A pre-schooler who speaks only Nepali at home is able to start Kindergarten on an even playing field with his English-speaking classmates. And a fifth grader gets academic support and homework guidance his parents could never provide, enabling him to achieve with confidence.
Neighbors helping Help kids thrive, from birth to teen years
Youth Mentoring Program fosters students’ academic and emotional development, empowering them to graduate from high school and achieve post-high school success. Mentors meet weekly for activities, discussions about positive decision-making, and help as students consider options for their futures. Together, we serve 60 teens 87% maintain or increase their grades Helped 50% apply for Allegheny County’s Learn and Earn summer internship Early Childhood Program promotes school readiness among refugee children living in Whitehall Place. Students learn fundamental concepts and life skills through purposeful play. Together, we serve 26 three- and four-year-olds Only two of 15 participants required ESL help in Kindergarten After School Programs offer K-5 students with academic support that their refugee parents may not be able to provide in a safe, engaging, friendly environment. From one-on-one homework help to group art, gym and library activities, SHIM’s After School Program services 75 children. Ruling Our Experience helps teen girls develop skills to manage social, personal, and academic issues. This national evidence-based empowerment program services 14 middle school girls. Summer Camp Program helps students avoid the “summer slide” when school isn’t in session, as more than 150 children are engaged, learning and safe. Kids Pre-K–grade 8 participate in arts, crafts, games, group activities and play, along with field trips, special swimming lessons, camp Olympics and guest speakers. Back-To-School Program helps more than 1,100 students head back to school with confidence thanks to supplies provided by generous SHIM supporters.
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children
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Neighbors helping
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What makes a successful life? A loving family? Stable employment? Solid relationships? SHIM works with neighbors who are working to achieve selfsufficiency. From a family of refugees trying to find their way here in America to underemployed neighbors looking to create a better life, we meet people where they are to provide tools to be successful.
families
Family Support Center Thanks to Allegheny County Department of Human Services, SHIM created a Family Support Center for the Prospect Park, now known as Whitehall Place, community. It serves as a critical information and referral resource and support to foreign-born families as they navigate and learn a new language and new cultural norms. The Family Support Center provides in-home visits to families with children under the age of five, teaching parenting skills and identifying developmental delays that might lead to referrals to other service providers. In March of 2018, SHIM relocated our Family Center to the Wallace Elementary School in Baldwin Borough. The former school building, owned and operated by the school district, houses other non-profits such as the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Head Start Program, the Baldwin Borough Library and Easter Seals. In addition to office and classroom space, SHIM has shared access to a large gym, playground and additional outdoor space. It’s a welcome warm change for families and allows for potential expansion of programs and program participants. Immigrant Services & Connections, also known as ISAC, assists refugees and immigrants in accessing existing services like shelter, education, healthcare, and legal support in Allegheny County. As one of six sites in the multi-agency partnership coordinated by Jewish Family & Community Services of Pittsburgh, interpreters are available to enhance communication. Last year, ISAC served 373 clients here in the South Hills. WorkAble is here for our neighbors who are unemployed or underemployed. Funded by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, in partnership with JFCS Career Development Center and North Hills Community Outreach, WorkAble provides access to free one-on-one career counseling, workshops, career fairs, resume assistance, job searching strategies, LinkedIn training, access to an online learning center and more. 9
Neighbors helping
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Roberta loves being a teacher. Almost as much as she loves her three kids. Their busy family life is marked by sports schedules, school events and lots and lots of carpooling. The Bethel Park mom didn’t realize how much of a safety net she was lacking until her furnace died last February, leaving her cold and devastated. Roberta turned to SHIM for a grant through Smart Investments so she and her kids could literally weather the storm.
women
Thanks to our partnership with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s United for Women, Smart Investments provides small grants designed to assist working women overcome a single emergency event. Last year, we served 207 women. We were able to provide grants for 24 women who qualified with an average grant of approximately $900. Women who didn’t qualify were guided to other local programs for help. At the SHIM Family Center, our team of specialists works with refugee women. Friday has become sacred to women as the Women’s Group works through conversations about domestic violence and safety while providing access to resources and emotional support.
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Donors
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helping neighbors We are grateful for the people who support SHIM and our neighbors in need. Fundraising Revenue by Source 17% Corporations/ Organizations
61% Individuals
13% Religions 9% Foundations
Operating Revenue
29% Contributions (Individual, grants, corporations, etc.)
38% Allegheny County Department of Human Services Contract
33% In-Kind Donations
Operating Expense 8% Fundraising Expense 13% General and Administrative Services
79% Program Services
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Volunteers helping Building Community
South Hills neighbors make the best volunteers. And in the last year, volunteers served 20,200 hours – that’s 842 days of non-stop volunteering by the South Hills community. But there’s more work to be done. Right now, 267 active volunteers help SHIM with all our daily programs, which is critical for helping manage our costs while providing expanded services. Volunteers at SHIM make an impact in many ways. n After school homework helper
n House and grounds crew
n Data specialist
n Office assistant
n Early childhood helper
n Senior phone caller
n Events committee
n SHIM Ambassador
n Food pantry stocker
n Van driver
n Gardener
n Youth mentor
Our gardens grow food and community “For me, personally, volunteering at SHIM has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.” —Will
Throughout the South Hills, you’ll find people planning and plotting, weeding and harvesting in 14 community gardens. n Atria Senior Living Center
n St. Davids
n Bower Hill Church
n St. Joan of Arc
n Hamilton Church
n St. Louise DeMarillac Church
n Kindercare Mt. Lebanon
n St. Paul’s Episcopal
n Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
n SHIM Center
n John McMillan Presbyterian
n Westminster Presbyterian Church
n St.Thomas More Church Volunteers are always welcome!
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n Temple Emmanuel
neighbors
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Neighbors helping Board of Directors
John Schrott, Chair President, Managing Principal Architect, IKM Incorporated Trina DeMarco, Vice Chair Director of Corporate Giving and Community Partnerships, Eat n Park Steve DeNoon, Treasurer Manager, KPMG Mandy Thomas, Secretary Project Manager, Westminster Presbyterian Church Project Manager Cynthia Donahoe, Recording Secretary
Andrew Baram Manager, PNC Financial Services Group Kathy Brown NOVA Chemical, Inc. James Marino Community Leader Tim Millett Deputy General Counsel, Employment, PNC Rev. Kris Opat Priest in Charge, St. David’s Episcopal Church George Pashel Community Leader Stacey Reibach Director of District Operations for Sen. Guy Reschenthaler Melanie Sanfilippo Administrator of Program and Technology Relations, Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services Lejla Sehic Vice President, Senior Product Manager, BNYMellon James Stein Vice President, Sales, Spok June Swanson Attorney, Meyer, Unkovic, & Scott James Guffey, Executive Director
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neighbors
Our Vision
SHIM envisions an inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
SHIM mobilizes community resources and implements sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency, and build community.
Our Partners
We are who we are—and able to do so much good work—because of great organizations just as committed to the South Hills as we are.
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5301 Park Avenue Bethel Park, PA 15102 Phone: (412) 854-9120 Fax: (412) 854-9123 Email: info@shimcares.org SHIM Family Center 41 Macek Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15227 Phone: (412) 892-4673 Email: info@shimcares.org
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