IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2018 | Page 17

“Our new location includes five
classrooms and three administrative
offices, allowing not only for the
expansion of programs, but more
people to join them. And, for our staff,
I think there’s a sense of ‘We’ve made
it!’ It’s boosted morale in all of us.”
S
outh Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) began 50 years ago
providing food, clothing and services to people in need in
Pittsburgh’s South Hills’ neighborhoods. Their multiple locations
in Bethel Park, Prospect Park and Baldwin United Presbyterian Church
each operate a food pantry and provide a basic level of service.
However, during the last 10 years, SHIM has noticed a change in
those needing help and the programs necessary to sustain them and
help them succeed. To continue their mission, they’ve moved and
expanded the SHIM Family Center to the old Wallace School Building
in Baldwin and it’s already making a huge impact.
“Our new office space and program center is making a big difference
in the way we’re able to serve local families,” says Casey Rich, Assistant
Family Center Director at SHIM. “I’ve been working here seven years
and, in that time, our number and type of services have grown to
coincide with the amount of people needing them. So the new location
is working out perfectly.”
The newly allocated building opened in March and is 6,700 square
feet of rental space—almost double the size of their Prospect Park
offices.
“We worked out of seven rented apartments, which was not
conducive to separating workspace from programs,” says Casey. “But
our new location includes five classrooms and three administrative
offices, allowing not only for the expansion of programs, but more
people to join them. And, for our staff, I think there’s a sense of ‘We’ve
made it!’ It’s boosted morale in all of us.”
Since the early ’90s, the Baldwin-Whitehall area has seen an influx
of refugees entering the borough from countries like Sudan, Burma,
Burundi and other African countries. Torn from their homeland
due to government strife and war, these refugees have spent years in
refugee camps only to finally make it to the United States in search of a
peaceful existence and new home.
According to Casey, the newest refugees needing assistance come
from Bhutan. “One of the biggest differences between the refugees
we helped more than 10 years ago and the ones coming to us today is
language. Many of those from Bhutan actually speak a little English,
which makes a lot of our processes and programs easier. But that’s
not to say there are no struggles,” she says. “We have had to expand
our programs to include assistance with mental health issues and
counseling for those having difficulties with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorders. In addition, we’ve instituted parenting classes for children
age zero to five. This includes home visits, child development, safe
sleep and discipline techniques. Our goal is to provide skills sets for
our clients to draw from, not to take away what they already know as
parents.”
Moving forward, SHIM hopes the new Baldwin location serves as a
true center for those needing help, whether a refugee or not.
“SHIM is not just a food pantry, although that service is still
available,” says Casey. “But we are also a service-based organization
who is here to help the multitudes of people looking to make their lives
better. And, as for the refugees, we have learned they want the same as
anyone else, to contribute to the economy by opening businesses and
providing a good home and education for their children.”
To learn more about SHIM, visit them on Facebook or their website
at www.shimcares.org. n
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