SHELTER STORIES: MEET JAMAL
amal grew up on Pittsburgh’s North Side – just blocks away from Light of Life’s shelter on North Avenue. For decades, he was attracted to the dark side of his community and fell into addiction.
Now, with more than 18 years of sobriety, Jamal serves as our men’s shelter manager.
“I wasn’t looking for a job when I retired, but God led me to Light of Life,” Jamal said. “God formed all my steps, from my initial role in care support services to my current position. I believe all of my experiences led me to carry God’s message to people. I don’t come to work, I come to serve.”
Jamal’s personal experience with addiction and recovery has given him profound insight into the power of hope and transformation, which he’s now able to share with others.
Light of Life is blessed to have staff members such as Jamal on our team. His background and commitment to helping others make him an invaluable source of support and inspiration to those who come through our doors.
If you have a specific prayer need, please send an email to prayer@lightoflife.org. Your prayer request will be shared with our prayer team.
Watch Jamal’s story here
Our guests and clients, as well as those referred to our Free Store by our partners, can now “shop” for items that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. This newest addition to our services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or poverty will help them feel loved and cared for while also easing the financial burden of being able to obtain essential items.
Small acts of kindness, like blessing someone with a nice shirt or new pair of shoes, will bring hope to those who need it the most. When our outreach team brought some men who were living in encampments to shop for the first time, many of them commented that they liked the freedom and the time they had to choose what they wanted or needed.
You can help us provide essentials to Pittsburgh families in need by dropping off clothing to our Donation Center located at the back of Ridge Recovery Place, 665 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212!
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Our Free Store will provide the most vulnerable in our community with not only clothing, hygiene items, household goods, and other necessities, but will also bless them with dignity, confidence, and most importantly – love.
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Leanne DeMaio, free store associate
event possible! Your generosity and participation were truly inspiring, honoring Tunch’s legacy and making a profound impact on our mission to support those in need.
A special thank you to our title sponsor:
The sun created a perfect backdrop to an incredible day on the greens for our sold-out
Second Annual Tunch Ilkin Memorial Golf Outing! It’s always a joy when friends of the Mission come together to support a great cause.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our golfers, volunteers, and sponsors (including Wheelhouse Family Foundation, Wilke CPA & Advisors, Fort Pitt Capital Group, Colussy Chevrolet, and Baird) who made this
Check out this heartfelt video created in memory of our friend, Tunch.
Rita and her late husband, Tim, are treasured Light of Life donors. After Tim’s passing in 2016, Rita began to volunteer in our kitchen to honor his memory and says her experience has been incredibly rewarding. She cherishes the friendships she’s built with the staff, fellow volunteers, and clients.
Seeing clients enjoy a home-cooked meal and having the chance to talk with them brings her immense joy. “We all need to ‘talk’ with someone and lending an ear or shoulder can make a difference in someone’s day,” Rita said.
One of her most treasured memories was volunteering at our old shelter on North Avenue. Rita got to know the program participants, sharing their triumphs, setbacks, and goals. She said she felt like a “proud mama” at her first Light of Life graduation ceremony, as she witnessed our clients’ growth firsthand.
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The life worth living is giving for the good of others.
–Booker T. Washington
Rita encourages all of us to live by the words of Booker T. Washington, which are inscribed on a sign at our shelter in memory of Tim: “The life worth living is giving for the good of others.”
We’re grateful for Rita and her unwavering dedication and joy she brings to Light of Life!
Scan this code to join Rita as a Light of Life volunteer!
Rita Caskey
Our annual Day of Hope was a truly remarkable day in the park, where we witnessed our community coming together to support neighbors in need. This event was all about offering essential resources, uplifting spirits, and spreading hope! Every year, this special day allows us to extend our hands and hearts to those facing challenges, reaffirming the strength and compassion that make our community so extraordinary.
Over 800 of our neighbors in attendance had the opportunity to connect with local service providers and learn more about the valuable resources available in our community while enjoying an amazing cookout meal prepared by our kitchen team.
Our Donation Center distributed care packages, local worship bands provided an uplifting atmosphere, and kids had a blast with different activities, including games, face painting, balloon art, and a bounce house. A prayer tent was
available for anyone who needed someone to pray with and for them, and an inspiring gospel message was presented.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers and community partner representatives who provided connections to their services, as well as the event sponsors (Highmark Wholecare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allegheny Health Network, and The Don Foster Family) who helped make this event a success!
Watch a recap of our Day of Hope here:
UPCOMING EVENT
More Than a Meal Gala
October 4, 2024
Support Pittsburgh’s homeless while enjoying dinner, musical performances, and live and silent auctions at our annual More Than a Meal Gala on Friday, October 4th, 2024.
Scan the QR code to register before September 13th!
Leave a Legacy
Estate planning may be the most important act of stewardship anyone ever undertakes. When you include Light of Life Rescue Mission in your estate plan, your generosity can help bring Christ-transformation to the lives of those facing homelessness for generations to come.
Learn more about making a legacy gift by visiting our website at www.lightoflife.org/legacy-giving/, emailing Lori at lmusloe@lightoflife.org, or calling (412) 258-6151.
2024: May - July
1,197
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
3,036 21,988 163,487
• Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Erika Chiccitt at volunteer@lightoflife.org
• Legacy Giving: If you are interested in speaking with someone about legacy giving through a will, contact Lori Musloe at (412) 258-6151
• Take a Tour: if you would like to take a tour of the Mission, contact Philip Spina at pspina@lightoflife.org
• Create Your Own Fundraiser: Please reach out to Colleen McKerley at (412) 258-6154
MISSION STATEMENT
Light of Life transforms lives through the love of Christ by providing food, shelter, and hope to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction to restore them as healthy members of our community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
Natalie Kreter, Esq.
Vice-Chair
Rebecca Fatica
Secretary
Chris Chaney
Treasurer
Rachel Schmiedlin
Executive Director
Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam
Members
Gash Abebe
Tom Doran
Roz Freeman
Rita Huckle
Dr. Edwin J. Kairis
Adam Lucas
665 Ridge Ave. | Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | 412-258-6100 | www.lightoflife.org | serve@lightoflife.org
James Rimmel
Richard Roadarmel
Dr. Cathy Sigmund
Donald Tucker
William Wolfe
Honorary Member
Donald L. Foster
Falco A. Muscante II
Deborah Patterson
