SHIM Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Strategic Plan South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is a community-founded, community-based social services organization. Since its founding in 1968, SHIM has established itself as a trusted and valued community resource focusing on those in need.

Vision SHIM envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Mission SHIM mobilizes community resources and implements sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency, and build community.

shimcares.org

SHIM FOR A STRONGER SOUTH HILLS

VALUES Equity & Inclusion

We believe that an individual’s background, situation, and life circumstance contributes to a vibrant community. We believe that all our neighbors should be treated with dignity and respect.

A Hand up, not a handout

We believe in addressing need holistically.

We help people meet basic needs, and then leverage our comprehensive programs to help move people along their path to selfsufficiency.

Our people are our priority

We believe that our employees, volunteers, and donors are our greatest resource. We strive to ensure that our staff and volunteers feel respected, well-cared for, and have proper access to self-care resources.

2022 - 2027 Building community

We believe that the community is stronger when it comes together. We take pride in facilitating connections between people who need help and those able to provide help, enriching the lives of all involved and cultivating a community of neighbors helping neighbors.

Partnering for power

As the largest human services agency in the South Hills, our greatest strength is our ability to convene stakeholders, serve as an effective partner, identify needs, and coordinate resources to serve the community.

What led us here?

SHIM’s growth accelerated after 2015 when it made critical strategic investments in its programs, staff, volunteer program, fundraising, and infrastructure.

In 2019, SHIM launched the Do More Good campaign, with the goal of raising $4 million to invest in key services and support long-term financial sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated community needs in unforeseen ways, and SHIM witnessed an 80-percent increase in people seeking help. Campaign donors responded by contributing over $6.8 million to SHIM by the conclusion of the campaign in 2021.

Both the success of the campaign and the sudden pandemic-induced shift in community needs caused SHIM leadership to focus on how SHIM could best continue an effective community mission under changing circumstances.

SHIM conducted a programmatic evaluation and alignment project in 2021. This deep dive into SHIM’s host of programs led to the adoption of a nationally developed and evaluated “theory of change model” called EMPath Bridge to Self-Sufficiency. This is a client-centric model that will help SHIM effectively assist clients as they work towards self-sufficiency and upward mobility, while recognizing innate differences in client potential.

A brighter tomorrow for South Hills Neighbors.

In response to the increase in SHIM’s size and the notable changes in community needs, SHIM’s Staff, Leadership, and Board oversaw the creation of a new strategic plan.

This strategic plan will guide SHIM’s work for the next five years (2022-2027) with the goal of building a stronger and more focused organization that can nimbly and confidently adapt to meet the needs in the South Hills as they arise.

The plan was supported by an in-depth data analysis considering trends in demographics, poverty rates, and social needs in the SHIM service area.

The analysis was complemented by interviews with more than 30 stakeholders, including SHIM board members, staff, partners, and donors who highlighted donor expectations, and SHIM’s core competencies.

The SHIM for a Stronger South Hills plan emphasizes the new and evolving dynamics that will impact SHIM’s growth going forward. It represents the opportunity for SHIM to live its greatest organizational value: to treat its community as we all wish to be treated, as partners and co-creators of a vibrant, strong South Hills community.

Organizational Goals

Strategies

Adapt programs to better serve South Hills community

SHIM’s goal has always been to provide effective services that meet current community needs. As people continue to face challenges, SHIM will diligently evaluate and anticipate evolving needs to better serve the South Hills community.

Increase awareness and amplify impact

SHIM will increase the community’s awareness of its mission, vision, impact, values and approach, establishing it as a regional leader and partner in social services provision through strategic public communications. SHIM will improve its capacity to capture and share impact data with constituents.

Improve SHIM’s organizational infrastructure and professional culture

Investing in its organizational infrastructure and professional culture will enable SHIM to recruit skilled employees, improve employee experience and retention, and increase the efficiency and impact of programs.

Build a Sustainable Organization

SHIM will continue to diversify its revenue streams to support growth and ensure longterm financial sustainability.

5301 Park Avenue | Bethel Park, PA 15102 (412) 854-9120 | shimcares.org

Enhance capacity to collect data

Create a robust organizational function dedicated to collecting and analyzing program data to improve reporting and proactively implement programming integral to addressing community need.

Grow organizational footprint

Enhance marketing and communications channels and strategies to share SHIM’s work and to build its brand recognition in the community.

Engage and empower SHIM’s Board of Directors

Energize SHIM’s Board of Directors to feel confident, connected, and able to engage in productive committee work, especially in supporting fundraising and outreach efforts.

Amplify diverse community voices

Educate the community on the diverse constituencies SHIM serves in the South Hills, including people of color, people of all faiths and backgrounds, and the immigrant and refugee communities.

Celebrate support and encourage engagement

Elevate the recognition, communication, and cultivation of SHIM donors, volunteers, and supporters to maintain and increase opportunities for engagement and support.