Jennifer joined the SHIM board after her friend and former coworker Pace Markowitz, chair of SHIM’s board, encouraged her. She knew of SHIM and didn’t feel the need to vet the organization because of the strong reputation SHIM has in the South Hills. Around the time she was graduating from high school, Jennifer became acutely aware of the refugee influx in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Whitehall. After seeing the ways in which SHIM supported the growing needs of refugee families and so many neighbors in our community, she felt that she wanted to give her time and talent to support SHIM’s meaningful work. Jennifer is especially passionate about serving unrecognized needs, helping to bring awareness to the suburban poverty that can sometimes be overlooked.

“SHIM has such an extensive footprint in serving the South Hills. I can’t imagine how significant the need would be if SHIM weren’t around.”

Passionate about volunteering, Jennifer loves the way Pittsburghers come together to help one another. She feels proud to be part of a collaborative and supportive community. Whether she’s volunteering at her kids’ school or supporting educational initiatives through her work at NOVA, Jennifer has focused her efforts on literacy and education, aiming to make quality education accessible to everyone. She brings that passion to her work on SHIM’s board, as she envisions new ways to educate the community and involve kids and teens in SHIM’s work.

“That’s what I love about the Pittsburgh community. We find creative ways to support our communities and I love bringing agencies together to join forces to do more.”

The post Native South Hills Resident Jennifer Gives Back to Her Community first appeared on SHIM.

Seth Dubin, Director of Development and Communications

As I approach my seventh anniversary working at the South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) as a development professional, I find myself reflecting on the pure joy that comes from fundraising for a community-focused, hyper-local, and mission-driven human services non-profit.

When I first joined SHIM, I was drawn to the organization’s unwavering commitment to the South Hills community, a place where I’ve lived and grown to love. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was the satisfaction that comes from connecting generous people in the community who want to help with those who need help right in our own backyard.

At SHIM, fundraising isn’t merely about securing dollars; it’s about weaving a vibrant tapestry of human connection. It’s about nurturing a community where children joyfully donate food, neighbors gather to support one another, and individuals use their hard-earned dollars to make a difference in their own South Hills community. It’s about understanding that each contribution, whether large or small, is a testament to the shared belief that together, we can create meaningful change.

Skills for Building Bridges of Compassion

To succeed in fundraising at SHIM, one must cultivate a unique skill set. It’s not just about spreadsheets and solicitations; it’s about empathy, storytelling, and building bridges of compassion.

1. Empathy: To connect people who want to help with those in need, one must first understand both sides deeply. Empathy fuels our ability to resonate with the concerns and passions of our donors and the challenges faced by our clients.
2. Storytelling: Stories are the heart of our work. They turn statistics into faces, challenges into opportunities, and donors into champions. Crafting and sharing these stories allows us to engage hearts as well as minds.
3. Community Engagement: Building and nurturing relationships within our community is a priority. Whether it’s partnering with local businesses, schools, or faith-based organizations, it’s these collaborations that amplify our impact.
4. Stewardship: Acknowledging the importance of donor engagement is key. Expressing gratitude and reporting on tangible impact ensures that our supporters feel valued and connected to the change they enable.

From Children to Philanthropists: Every Contribution Matters

One of the most beautiful aspects of working at SHIM is the wide spectrum of giving. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing children donating their allowances, teenagers organizing food drives, and retirees dedicating their valuable time. Simultaneously, I’ve stood beside individuals and families who contribute significantly, providing the financial backbone of our organization and enabling SHIM to sustain well into the future.

Every contribution, regardless of its size, is a testament to the incredible spirit of our community. It reminds me that philanthropy knows no bounds; it’s an act of love and compassion that transcends age and financial capacity.

Donor Engagement and Reporting: Strengthening the Bonds

Donor engagement is not just a buzzword at SHIM; it’s a core value. We believe in building lasting relationships with our supporters. We invite them to our events, share our successes, and ensure they know that their partnership is genuinely appreciated.

Our commitment to reporting on tangible impact is equally important. When we can show donors how their contributions have transformed lives, it reaffirms their belief in our mission. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about people, families, and communities moving toward brighter futures.

As I celebrate seven years at SHIM, I am immensely grateful for the privilege of being part of this extraordinary organization. It’s a place where fundraising is not just a job; it’s a joyous journey of connecting hearts, bridging gaps, and empowering change. I look forward to many more years of serving our South Hills community and witnessing the continued growth of compassion and generosity that defines SHIM.

Here’s to the future, where we’ll continue to transform lives, one act of giving at a time. Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey with us.

Learn more about our team HERE.

The post Celebrating 7 Years of Joyful Fundraising at SHIM: Bridging Hearts and Impact first appeared on SHIM.

Did you know that you must take a required minimum deduction (RMD) from your individual retirement account (IRA)? A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ years old or older to donate up to $100,000 which you can exclude from your taxable income.

IRA holders are required to take a certain amount out of their account each year, even if they don’t want or need the funds. To avoid pushing an account holder into a higher income tax bracket, the account holder can make a charitable donation out of the account. This fulfills the RMD.

“I learned about it through our financial advisor. Given our enduring support for SHIM and after carefully evaluating our financial situation, the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) emerged as a seamless option that wouldn’t burden us with tax concerns. It’s incredibly straightforward and I enthusiastically share this option with everyone!”– Sue Pettigrew, SHIM supporter

An added benefit of QCDs is that they do not count toward the maximum amounts deductible for taxpayers itemizing, allowing donors to give more than $100,000 in total each year. For donors looking to have a greater impact, this allows for large charitable gifts to be made from multiple sources.

Donors can make QCDs all year round, but they are not allowed to receive any personal benefits from the gift. Should you choose to give a QCD to SHIM, be assured that the full amount of your gift would qualify.

We’re grateful to all our donors for ensuring that neighbors in need have a place to turn. If a QCD seems right for you, we encourage you to take advantage of the tax benefits while helping South Hills residents!

Contact Seth Dubin with any questions at sdubin@shimcares.org or 412-854-9120 x109.

The post Do you know about RMDs, IRAs, and QCDs? first appeared on SHIM.

Amela joined the SHIM board last year after seven years as a mentor to girls in our Youth Mentoring program. Now in her eighth year of mentoring, she notes that her commitment to teens from the refugee and immigrant community is rooted in her own experience moving to Pittsburgh as a refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina at age 20. Amela remembers the people who took time to help her, especially the young woman who came to her house each week to teach her English. This 22-year-old volunteer even helped Amela gather furniture and find what she needed to feel at home.

She also enjoys working with teen girls as she has two sons and no daughters and likes developing close bonds and sharing advice with the girls. Together they cook and do enriching activities that allow the teen girls to express themselves in a safe space.

Amela shares with the teens the determination and courage it took for her to get where she is today– Director at BNY Mellon. At age 33 she enrolled in college while holding down a full-time job and raising two kids. Earning a degree was important to her and she remembers how her community, friends and family helped her achieve her goals. She likes to pay it forward and share her experiences, to help the girls take chances and adapt. As she worked through those tough years, she reminded herself that she was setting an example for a new generation of refugees, immigrants, and trail blazers. Amela’s motivation comes from one of her favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson – “Don’t go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Over the years, she has watched former fifth graders grow into young women who are now excelling in college. She takes pride in knowing that the guidance they received at Youth Mentoring helped give them the confidence to succeed.

“It has been a fulfilling journey. I feel very close to the girls.”

Knowing the important work SHIM does in the community, Amela joined the board as soon as her work and family commitments allowed. Amela brings a unique perspective to her work on the board. In addition to bringing her empathy to her work on the board, especially regarding serving the immigrant and refugee population in the South Hills, Amela’s professional background in the financial sector allows her to help plan for financial sustainability. She is passionate about paving the way for others, both in her professional role and on SHIM’s board. As a leader at BNY Mellon, Amela works with Business Resource Groups focused on gender equality in a workplace, and on recruitment, advancement, and retention of multicultural employees. Amela is Head of Digital and Data Transformation at BNY Mellon Credit Services. In this role, Amela is driving business transformation to ensure that her organization has process, technology, and operational controls in place to effectively support strategic growth and operational efficiency. Additionally, Amela is leading digital and data enablement through innovation and partnership initiatives. Amela strives to be an empowering leader and continues motivating others through her ability to inspire, earn trust, deliver results, and share success.

“You must lift others as you grow, you must be engaged in your community. Everyone has value regardless of their economic situation.”

Learn more about our youth programs HERE.

The post Board Member Amela Leads and Lifts Up Her Neighbors first appeared on SHIM.

Rachel White, Development and Communications Manager

Pittsburgh does a great job of bringing people together. We’re the city of bridges, and I think that includes both physical and spiritual bridges!

As we’ve worked together with the Violins of Hope Greater Pittsburgh, I have gotten to witness the power of music in connecting communities. From students to professionals, from the North Hills to the South Hills, Pittsburghers of all religious and cultural backgrounds are gathering in the spirit of unity.

The Violins of Hope exhibit is a collection of restored instruments that were played by Jewish musicians during the holocaust. They represent resilience and hope as lasting symbols from a time of injustice and suffering.

The value of this exhibit and the many performances being presented across the city are the connections being made. Performers are touching history when they play on these instruments that were once played by persecuted Jews. Through remembrance, we learn lessons about acceptance and peace. Peace requires active participation, and sharing the stories of these violins within our city allows us to collectively reflect on our responsibilities to maintain peace.

Especially as we hear about the tragic events in Israel, I am heartened to participate in events that bring diverse audiences together. Coming on November 13, we will be hosting an event that will include student readings, student performances, and music played by the renowned Clarion Quartet. WTAE News Anchor Shannon Perinne will emcee the event, which is free. Register for the event HERE.

I hope you will join me in gathering in the spirit of unity here in the South Hills!

The post Violins of Hope Event first appeared on SHIM.

If you’ve ever attended one of our pantries, you’ve probably met our basic needs coordinator Kyla. Originally a client of SHIM programs, Kyla now gives back as a vital part of our team. Her positive attitude and nurturing nature help clients feel welcome and hopeful.

Kyla was born and raised in Clairton as the oldest of nine siblings. She lived with her mom, who was raising six kids by herself. Kyla was granted legal independence at age 16. After graduating high school, Kyla joined the army before returning to Pittsburgh in 2000.

“We lived in the projects. Honestly, me and all my siblings beat the odds. If you look at it statistically, somebody should have had a drug or alcohol problem or ended up in jail.”

Kyla was living in Clairton with her son, but after he started kindergarten and she saw the metal detectors being installed at his school, she knew she had to consider moving.

“For young men, either you were an outstanding athlete, or you had to sell drugs.”

After visiting Oklahoma as a young mom, Kyla decided to raise her kids there. She saved up six months of rent to afford the move with her kids. Trained as a respiratory therapist, she had good job prospects and was able to support her family.

Kyla spent twelve years in Oklahoma before moving back to Pittsburgh to be closer to family. When her grandmother’s health began to decline, she realized the importance of nurturing familial bonds, especially those she had with her children. Kyla’s work as a respiratory therapist often required working nights, making it difficult to spend time with her kids. After moving back to Pittsburgh, she realized that a career change was necessary to prioritize time with her kids. Kyla chose to move to Bethel Park because it has a small-town feel like her home in Oklahoma. She knew it would be a supportive place to raise kids.

Prioritizing time with her kids made Kyla’s job search more difficult. As she worked to find jobs that allowed her to be home in time for dinner, she realized that such jobs typically offered lower pay. She had to make some tough financial choices to keep up with extra expenses, such as extracurricular activities for her three kids.

“I’m a single mom of three. I’ve always needed help. If I didn’t make it happen, it didn’t happen. I never wanted my kids to struggle or lack because of that.”

When she got behind on utility bills, she was referred to SHIM to get utility assistance. She met with SHIM’s senior operations coordinator, Molly, who helped her gain assistance and referred her to our food pantry program. Even though Kyla lived on the same block as SHIM, she had no idea all that we did!

“When I first realized what SHIM was, I didn’t know everything that was offered. I knew to come here for utility assistance. I came here, it was a friendly environment. Molly was nice and helped me handle my problem.”

When Kyla attended food pantry distributions, she watched Molly running around managing everything with a team of dedicated volunteers. She couldn’t believe Molly was the only SHIM employee in the food pantry and personally suggested that Molly needed some help!

Five years later, with SHIM’s growth and the increasing demand in the community, we expanded the staffing for our food pantry operations. Originally a part-time position, Kyla applied for the job because she appreciated the flexibility. Recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she was hesitant to commit to full-time employment until she felt that her disorder was being managed fully. She participated in the Three Cups of Coffee program at Pennsylvania Women Work where she worked with a mentor to enhance her resume and make career decisions. She finally determined that SHIM was a good fit.

“This is the very first job that I ever got because I wanted it, that I felt passionate about, that it was something that I wanted to do. Other jobs, it was because I had to be home at a certain time for my kids or where was it located to fit into my life. This is what I feel like I was meant to do.”

Kyla jumped in right away, learning as much as possible. From placing food bank orders and managing food distributions benefiting 3,500 people each month to leading teams of volunteers and answering utility assistance calls, Kyla took on her duties with determination. She quickly learned the ropes and built relationships with volunteers and clients.

Kyla empathizes with clients because she knows how they feel. She’s noticed that people think they need to be down and out to access the food pantry, but the reality is that many people benefit from attending pantry distributions sooner because it can keep them from getting so far behind on bills. She sees new faces at every pantry distribution, and they are all grateful for the help.

Kyla can deeply relate to clients’ feelings and experiences because they mirror her past experiences. Whether they need some space or need a shoulder to cry on, Kyla helps each person feel welcome and safe.

“It rains on the just and unjust. There is a point in time in life where everyone needs help. Just because this is where you are right now, this is not where you have to be. Just because you need help today doesn’t mean you’ll need help tomorrow. There is no shame in asking for help.”

We know that taking care of basic needs is essential in giving people a hand up. When you’re wondering if you have enough food to feed your kids it can be hard to do any long-term goal setting. Kyla encourages people to write down goals and address problems one by one to help them find their path to self-sufficiency.

“Being here at SHIM, is the first time I felt like I was doing my calling, that I was where I was supposed to be. It gives me a chance to give back. There have been people that encouraged me, that gave me advice and now I’m in that position. With the job that I have, it allows me to have a bigger impact, to reach more people.”

Here at SHIM, we know that helping neighbors is more than just a job. It’s a calling. Being an active member of our community is important, and we understand that everyone has an important role to play. Whether you’re donating or receiving food, whether you’re giving or getting help, we value you, our neighbors.

“We’re not just a food bank to some people, we’re not just a family center, we’re not just somewhere to help with bills. To some people, we are all they’ve got. Not only do we provide services, but we provide connection, community, and a support system.”

Want to help? shimcares.org/donate
Need help? shimcares.org/basic-needs-assistance

The post Kyla’s Story first appeared on SHIM.

Working at SHIM, I have the pleasure of meeting people from many cultural backgrounds. We enjoy learning from each other and sharing our traditions.

As a former Refugee who moved to the US 14 years ago, I value my ability to celebrate Hindu holidays like Dashara.

Dashara is also known as Vijayadashami (Sanskrit), Dashara or Dashain and is a major Hindu festival celebrated by the Hindu community. This festival usually falls in September or October, depending on the Lunar Calendar. The exact dates vary each year, as it depends on the position of the Moon. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and is observed by Hindu. The festival lasts for 15 days, with each day having its own significance, rituals, and celebrations. “Vijaya” means victory and “Dashami” means tenth day on the lunar fortnight. The main highlight of the festival, Vijayadashami, occurs on the tenth day when families come together to exchange blessings and apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on each other’s foreheads.

I usually celebrate by blessing my children first, then we go to my parents’ house. My siblings also come along with their family. My family gather in our Parents’ house with cultural dresses on, cooking cultural food, and getting blessing from our parents by applying flower and Tika on our foreheads. After that, we go to other relatives’ houses like my in-laws or uncles to continue the festival.

This year, people celebrate Vijayadashami on Oct 23, and some do on 24th as well, depending on if they follow the Calendar which is developed based on Nepal’s time, or America’s time. Whichever day you celebrate, I wish you peace, prosperity, and Happiness! Happy Vijayadashami!!

The post Netra Explains Dashara first appeared on SHIM.

Former SHIM Service Coordination Director now OIRA Policy Coordinator for Pittsburgh’s Mayor Michelle King, Lila, and Casey at the citizenship ceremony

Casey Rich, SHIM South Hills Family Center Site Director

On September 21st, I had the opportunity to participate in a spectacular Welcoming event that I know I will remember for many years to come. I set out for the City-County building that day excited to observe a naturalization ceremony, something I have not had the chance to do in quite a few years. A SHIM client that I have worked with through some pretty difficult times, Lila, was granted her United States Citizenship after seven years of perseverance and hard work. Candidates for citizenship go through months of applications, interviews, and an exam in English and United States History. They also must be found to be “of good moral character” – i.e. that they have not committed any serious crimes during their time in the United States. Lila, a 60-year-old single woman who arrived alone as a refugee from Bhutan, had challenges with the testing and applications due to her age and low level of English. So, it was very exciting to get to see her complete the naturalization process and officially become an American citizen. That alone would have been reason to attend the ceremony on a gorgeous day in September in downtown Pittsburgh. But the Mayor’s office had a surprise for the candidates that day. Little Amal was going to join and be part of the naturalization ceremony.

Little Amal is a traveling experiential art piece – a 12 foot tall puppet depicting a Syrian refugee girl on a journey to find her new home. In each city she travels to, she visits theaters and outdoor public events to spread awareness about the stories of displaced people across the globe. Pittsburgh was one of her first stops in the US; by the end of her trip, she will have travelled over 6,000 miles across the country. Before coming to the US, she walked all over Europe in places like Turkey, France, the UK, Greece, and Poland. In conjunction with her appearances, the Walk with Amal organization coordinates with local governments and nonprofits to hold film screenings, group discussions, school events, and large-scale community projects focused on welcoming.

Here in Pittsburgh, Amal visited the Carrie Blast Furnaces, the August Wilson Center, and Whitney Park in Wilkinsburg, as well as the City-County building for this very unique naturalization ceremony I attended.

When I arrived at the intersection of Grant Street and Fourth Avenue, I saw crowds of school kids in uniforms – not the typical setting for this ceremony, which usually takes place inside the courthouse or at the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) Field Office in the Southside. This ceremony was set up outside with rows of folding chairs under the portico. And while these are usually pretty low-key events, with speeches and quiet applause, this one had a buzz of excitement around it. The kids held little American flags and handmade signs and were obviously excited to be out of the classroom for the morning. But the real excitement came when passers-by on the street started to hold up their cell phones like they were taking videos, and the man sitting next to me said “I can’t see. Something big must be coming down the street. Look at all those people looking up with their phones.” Then Amal walked into view and everyone jumped up.

Little Amal requires four puppeteers to make her function: one on each hand, one supporting her back, and one inside walking on stilts, controlling her more subtle movements like blinking and breathing. Her torso is built like a cage so that the inside puppeteer can see in front of her and guide her movements in coordination with the people around her. It was a fascinating thing to watch the four people work together, using earpieces with microphones so they could talk to each other and give directions. All this effort combined to make Amal move with incredibly realistic, fluid motion.

She had a little bit of a hard time getting up the steps of the City-County building (they had to build a special ramp for her!) but once she was under the portico, she walked with ease. Her shoulders went up and down with each breath in a natural rhythm. Her eyes blinked – not the way a machine would blink on a timer, but randomly, the way a human would. She walked up the center aisle, greeting people with a wave, and then stood back to hear a school choir sing My Country ‘Tis of Thee. As the ceremony followed its usual agenda with speeches from a few public figures and an administered oath of allegiance, Amal took a spot at the front, calmly observing and handing a flower to each candidate as they came up to get their certificates. At the end, some of the school students presented Amal with a giant scarf they had decorated with all of their handprints on it in colorful paint.

Steven Rice, Director of the Pittsburgh USCI Field Office, spoke during the main part of the ceremony and shared a truly welcoming message. He explained that becoming a US citizen does not have to mean giving up allegiance to your home country, leaving your culture, traditions, and language behind. He encouraged the candidates not to give up their culture but instead to merge it with their new American identity so that they might value the strengths they have on both sides. It was inspiring to hear this, imagining what it must feel like to be one of the candidates sitting there that day, and what this change must mean for their sense of who they are. In a world of so much polarization, he encouraged all of us observers to value the power in their merged identities.

After the ceremony, I got to see this firsthand when I got the chance to congratulate my client, Lila, on her accomplishment and take photos with her. She wore a suit for the occasion — a more Western outfit than I’ve ever seen her in — but wore a tika on her forehead, the red powder mark she puts on every day designating her Hindu faith. She got up before the ceremony was over to take a selfie with Little Amal. And she presented us and Mr. Rice with doshallas, special printed Bhutanese scarves given in times of celebration. She even put a tika on my forehead – this one not as a mark of faith, but a blessing, and a thank you. It said so much more than her limited English could express about the help she’s gotten from SHIM over the years and her pride in herself at how far she’s come.

The name Amal is the Arabic word for hope. I’m not sure how much Lila understood why this giant blinking puppet was walking around downtown. But she certainly felt what everyone was feeling that day in Little Amal’s presence – a sense of hope that Pittsburgh can and will continue to welcome people from all corners of the world.

The post Little Amal at the Citizenship Ceremony first appeared on SHIM.

Barbara’s father helped to shape her view of acceptance. As the owner of a clothing store in McKeesport, he demonstrated his commitment to treating people of all races and economic strata with dignity. This made an impression on Barbara as she recognized the value of a community encompassing many people with varying viewpoints and lived experiences.

Growing up, Barbara’s family valued tzedakah, a traditional Jewish value of giving back. Despite their busy schedules, Barbara’s parents consistently dedicated time to volunteer work. They also ensured that a portion of their volunteer efforts extended beyond their religious community, allowing them to build stronger connections with their neighbors.

Barbara feels passionately about caring for neighbors and values SHIM’s accessibility to people in need in our South Hills community. While Pittsburgh has many dedicated nonprofits, Barbara prefers engaging locally. She values SHIM’s interfaith origins while also recognizing its inclusive nature, extending a warm welcome to anyone in need or seeking help, regardless of their religious beliefs. Barbara also loves our holistic approach that empowers people.

“It’s not just giving help but helping people become who they want to be.”

Barbara feels deeply that people accessing services desire to be self-sufficient but may require support to build that foundation. She believes that SHIM programs grow self-esteem and enable people to perpetuate their own success with dignity.

Barbara is also passionate about supporting women and girls and has been a member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh (JWF) for the last thirteen years, chairing and co-chairing the board for the last three years. She appreciates the power of group philanthropy that JWF embodies, awarding grants to multiple organizations each year. Barbara recognizes that women traditionally have not always been decision makers in philanthropy. Because of this, she takes pride in empowering women to take a more active role in charitable giving.

We are so grateful that Barbara is part of our dedicated team of neighbors helping neighbors. As a board member, she is an ambassador for SHIM helping to share information and encouraging others to get involved. If you’re interested in getting involved on our board, reach out to Seth at sdubin@shimcares.org or 412-854-9120 x109.

The post Board Member Barbara on Why She Serves first appeared on SHIM.

Many of these moms expressed feeling lost when they became parents. Raised in cultures where family members help and get involved immediately after babies are born, these women lack the support network in America, and in turn, feel isolated and unsure of what to do.

Sashi from Nepal said that she felt isolated after her daughter was born. The first time she needed to give her daughter a bath, she had no idea what to do. She covered the baby in water which made her daughter extremely upset and left her feeling overwhelmed. Sashi was excited to learn about SHIM’s Nurturing Parenting class. Learning skills and talking to other moms gave her ideas and confidence. She learned patience, consistency, and appreciated getting a respite from caring for her daughter while attending class, thanks to the free childcare SHIM provides to participants.

“Parenting is a process. I learn a lot, even from the other parents taking the class.”

Hta from Burma learned to tell the truth and to be consistent with her son. She discovered the importance of offering choices and providing reasons to help her son develop good behavior. Hta also learned to communicate the consequences to him to help him understand her expectations. She shared these lessons with her partner, to help him become a better parent as well.

Tun from Burma became a mom in a new country and felt like she didn’t know what to do at all.

“I used to yell at my baby. It’s what I knew from my childhood. I didn’t know it was bad.”

Tun would give in to her son’s desires whenever he cried, thinking that she was doing the right thing. In the Nurturing Parenting class, she learned when to ignore his cries and to set boundaries. She is thankful for all that she has learned in the class.

Parenting is difficult, and even SHIM’s Fatherhood Program Coordinator Netra, who teaches one of the Nurturing Parenting classes, said he learns from his students. For instance, he talked about struggling to get all three of his kids dressed in time for school each morning. When a mom in his class suggested that the kids pick out their clothes the night before, Netra was thrilled to have a solution to his problem.

Other moms expressed gratitude for learning how to control electronics use, knowing the importance of self-care, and involving their partners in nurturing practices they’ve learned.

“We have learned a lot, how to care for the children and how to handle them. We learned how to parent in difficult situations and be calm.”

What’s clear is that every new parent must overcome many challenges, but having a supportive network of other new parents, the resources to implement, and an openness to learn is the key to success.

Learn more about the ways SHIM supports families HERE.

The post Nurturing Parenting Participants Love Learning first appeared on SHIM.