You Gotta Have FAITH

Written by: Theresa Chalich,
FAITH Programs Supervisor and HUD Project Supervisor

Over the winter, Deidre, a mother of a three year old, called the FAITH (Families Achieving Independence Through Housing) Program office to inquire about this housing program. She was staying in a homeless shelter for women who are fleeing a domestic violence situation. She was new to Pittsburgh as she, the father, and daughter returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh from their residence in Virginia.

The FAITH Program staff determined that she was eligible (homeless with a child, a mental health disability, and abstinence of alcohol and drugs for one year) for this HUD funded Supportive Housing Program. Deidre was desperate to leave the shelter, yet appreciated the safe environment that was being provided. The staff person’s first plan of action was to ensure that when mother and child left the shelter to inspect possible rental units that she did indeed feel safe and that her abuser did not know of her whereabouts.


Mom took the initiative to find an apartment to her liking. She signed the rental lease and a contract was signed between her, the realtor (landlady), and the staff person. Deidre moved into an apartment and with the assistance of the program, which provided her with beds, dining room table and chairs, sofa, curtains, and a sundry of household items. She converted an empty “apartment” into a comfortable “home”. Besides the help from the program, she, like many of the FAITH Program participants, are industrious in finding used and utilitarian furniture.

Deidre settled into the neighborhood and established the transfer of her mental health care to a facility in her neighborhood. This easy access to care was a boon to her child care needs. Once she had moved in, she inquired about studying for and obtaining her GED. She highlighted the importance of this goal as “I have to be a role model for my daughter so that she will get an education as she grows.” An appointment is scheduled for her to start this GED process. When staff recommended that an agency come to the home to evaluate the daughter’s developmental growth, she readily agreed and was grateful to have this done.
The FAITH Program was given a wonderful present when it recently received a phone call from Deidre. She expressed her gratitude to the staff for giving her the opportunity to show that “I can be an independent woman and live on my own.” This month she will be entering a health care program so that “I can really feel good about myself”. “I can’t thank you guys enough.”

*The pictures above are from a Thank You card that Deidre sent to EECM.

A Sign In The Rearview Mirror

Written by: Kayla Berkey, EECM Case Manager

When Mike* came to Pittsburgh several months ago, he had a long history of homelessness and an untreated mental illness. He had worked as a chef at many restaurants, but Mike’s unstable mental health made it difficult for him to keep a steady job. He began staying at the East End Cooperative Ministry Men's Emergency Shelter, and during the day, he stood along the street with a sign asking for help. “It was something to do during the day when I had no place to go,” Mike says. He also found used this as a way to support himself when he had no income or resources of his own.

By working with the EECM case managers, Mike was able to move into the EECM Safe Haven program where he now has a permanent apartment and staff to assist him with health care needs, maintaining his housing, and setting goals for himself. He also has his own kitchen where he can cook. With his chef experience, Mike explains that cooking helps him cope with his stress. The community environment at Safe Haven also provides the opportunity for him to cook together with other residents.

Now that Mike has an apartment of his own, he has hung up his panhandling sign…literally. The sign meant a lot to Mike because of all that it brought him through, and so staff helped him frame it and display it in his room. “It helps me to remember where I’ve been and where I don’t want to go again. Now I have a place to stay during night and day. I have my own peace and quiet, and it feels like home.”

To all those who helped him, Mike wishes to express his appreciation:
“Thanks for looking out for me and God bless.”

*Mike's name was changed for this story.

Their Hearts Grew Three Sizes That Day

Written by: Ed Kinley, Hunger Programs Director

EECM’s 13th Annual ‘Have a Heart for Hunger’ Campaign began this past Sunday with the LoveWalk for the Poor and the numbers are in…

The walk began with an afternoon Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Shadyside. After the Mass, over 300 people walked the ½ mile to EECM’s Food Pantry at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, while carrying their food donations, to officially kick-off the six week fund raising campaign.

The campaign includes concerts, pancakes, volunteer opportunities, organizing food drives and also welcomes financial support where you can DONATE ONLINE. Please be sure to select ‘Have A Heart for Hunger’ for your 'Program Designation' if you would like your funds to go directly to EECM’s Hunger Programs.

See how you can get involved HERE.

The donations from the LoveWalk totaled close to 2000 pounds and will supply about 80 families that live in the East End with a 5-8 day supply of emergency groceries.

Thanks to everyone who proudly displayed their ‘Heart for Hunger’ during Sunday’s frigid temperatures.

Above Photo: Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette