NHCO Partnership Amplifies Client Impact

Red, 64, was biking through downtown Pittsburgh on his way to help a friend with a construction project in the South Hills. He stopped for a cup of coffee when his trusty bike, a gift from NHCO, was stolen.

"Why would someone take my bike? Why? Why would they take my bike?" he said in an exasperated voice. It was his only form of transportation. He cannot drive because he has multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that disrupts communication between the brain and the body.

He mentioned the unfortunate incident to Marianne, a front desk volunteer at our Millvale office. She arranged for a new bike through our partner organization CommuniCycle, a volunteer-base nonprofit organization that accepts donated bikes and gives them to those in need.

"Red has been a longtime friend at NHCO in Millvale” Marianne said. “He is one of the kindest and happiest people around. His positive attitude is contagious."

He first came to NHCO about a year ago to get help applying for affordable phone service. He also started visiting our food pantry. On one visit, he mentioned to our service coordinator that he needs a bike. Luckily, we happened to have a donated bike waiting for a taker.

The South Hills native moved to Millvale to be closer to his son, daughter and future grandchild. He works part-time at a local steel fabricating shop, and cannot work full-time because of his MS.

How does Red feel towards NHCO? “It means people helping people," he said without realizing that phrase is our tagline.

Mother Extends Gratitude to NHCO Donors for Making Life Better 

“From staff, to volunteers, to those who donate to the outreach (NHCO), I just wanted you all to know that everything you do is very much appreciated,” said Laurie, an NHCO client.

Around twenty years ago, Laurie left an abusive marriage and moved back in with her parents. At the time, she had fallen behind on daycare payments for her child and needed additional childcare support so she could complete her education and begin working.

"I was a single mom. I was scared, trying to figure out now how to incorporate this child into my life. Trying to figure out ways to better her life," she remembered.

Her church referred her to NHCO for assistance. We covered the childcare balance and introduced her to our other services. These included our food pantries and our Sharing Projects Program, which involves collecting donated goods throughout the year that are given to our clients. This program proved crucial for Laurie’s two kids.

“It (Sharing Projects Program) is beneficial to parents that might not have the money to get that new backpack or school supplies kids need … get that brand new winter coat that they might need…or the gloves. It helps just to be able to know that your kids have what they need," Laurie added.

Laurie has since remarried and uses the food pantry when needed. The mother of two lives with a disabling spinal condition and one child has health challenges that require ongoing care. Her journey isn’t easy, but she finds strength in knowing NHCO is by her side.

"Whenever you do hit a certain point where you are struggling, I don't think people realize that it is okay to ask for help,” she said. "Knowing that the Outreach (NHCO) is there to help the local families is just amazing.”

Your involvement is crucial in this mission of helping people like Laurie. We invite you to continue this journey with us, transforming lives and building a brighter future for everyone in our community.

New Repair Fund Honors Legacy of Young Man Who Loved Cars

When Julian DiNino was growing up, his mom Tina remembers how he went to bed every night with a matchbox racecar in each hand. His bedroom walls were decorated with racecars, where Tina believes her son developed a "need for speed.” As a third generation "car guy," Julian learned fabrication and welding from his dad, a former airplane mechanic, and from family friends.

His dad Ken remembers when Julian was 14, he bought his first BMW E30 after meticulously searching online. He negotiated the deal himself and immediately made modifications to his new ride. 

After graduating from Avonworth High School, Julian honed his skills as a performance mechanic and social media creator, reaching 300k followers on Instagram and producing racecar fabrication videos with over 75

million viewers. He was generous, often working on his friends' cars for free and then treating them to grilled steaks. Julian dreamt about growing his social media presence and using the proceeds to help more people who could not afford necessary car repairs.  

This past June, Julian unexpectedly passed away at the age of 22, leaving his family, friends, and online followers with the grief of a vibrant life that ended too soon. His parents, along with his sister Eva, wanted to honor Julian's legacy by establishing a fund to assist community members with car repairs. A friend connected them with NHCO's Executive Director, Scott Shaffer, who worked with the family to establish the Julian DiNino Car Repair Fund, and to create a promotional tribute video. 

Donations to the fund will support NHCO’s Transportation Financial Assistance Program, which provides car repairs and other transportation needs, enabling individuals to seek and retain employment. Half of the proceeds will also support similar programs with the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, another nonprofit.

Thank you to the DiNino family for honoring Julian's legacy of People Helping People in a way that would make him proud! 

View Julian's tribute videos and donate to the fund at NHCO.org/julian.

Transportation Program Saves Family's Car So Mom Can Get to Work

NHCO’s Transportation Financial Assistance Program's key goal is to help ensure people have transportation to their jobs so they are able to provide for themselves and their families. Christine, a mother of four, hit a bump in the road when her work hours were cut, and she didn’t receive her court-ordered child support. Unfortunately, she fell behind on her car payment, putting her ability to commute to her current job and search for additional employment at risk. Luckily, she found NHCO.

“The weight this lifted from my chest so I could enjoy my family and focus on the good things to come is indescribable” she said.  “I truly appreciate everyone whom, in any way, was a part of helping my family get through this difficult patch and keep moving forward!”

She called 211, a free service that connects individuals with human resources. They recommended NHCO, where she met Angela Kearns, Transportation Resource Coordinator. She guided Christine through the application process and was able to cover her car payment.

“Christine is an incredibly motivated, hard-working single mom who found herself in a difficult situation,” Angela said. “She just needed some help to get her through a tough time. Being able to help with a car payment allowed her to catch up on her rent until she started her second job. She is now working two jobs; her bills are caught up and she can now focus on her family.”

Car donations fuel NHCO’s Transportation Financial

Assistance Program. Money raised is used to help people like Christine and hundreds of others overcome transportation challenges, and help them with access to jobs, critical appointments, childcare and more. 

Learn more at NHCO.org/donate-your-car

NHCO Garden is Summer Classroom for Local Students

Josie is fighting hunger by pulling weeds.

"Battling food insecurity...is important. If I get to help battle it, that's great," the high school sophomore said. She’s one of three interns spending their summer at NHCO’s Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden, a community-supported organic garden in Bellevue. Annually, the garden provides more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce for our food pantries. 

"Helping out. Knowing I'm doing something well with my time," said Annika, another high school sophomore.

She learned about the internship through her science teacher, Kate Robson, who is also NHCO’s Garden Coordinator.   Ari, an incoming college first-year student, will study ecology, the science of how organisms live and interact with their environment. The future biologist described the internship as closely aligned with his academic and personal interests. 

“All three of the high school interns are so different, and they bring a variety of skills to the job,” Kate said. “Josie has a great sense of humor and keeps our spirits high while we're working in the 90-degree heat. Annika is mechanically minded and can be counted on to volunteer for jobs no one else wants to do like weed whacking around the fence or mowing the orchard. Ari is very knowledgeable about plants and nature- he is doing research on how to start edible mushrooms cultivation. All three of them are hard workers, and they are like sponges for information. Over the past two months, they have learned about seed starting, transplanting, pruning, integrated pest management, and chicken care. Along with our dedicated garden volunteers Sheila, Donna, and Sharon, the interns help with feeding, watering, and collecting eggs from the flock.”

Learn more about our garden, including volunteer and educational opportunities, at NHCO.org/garden.

Learn About our Volunteer Opportunities at NHCO.org/volunteer

NHCO's Sharing Projects

NHCO holds various collections throughout the year, then distributes the donated goods to those in need. Learn more about our seven sharing projects and how you can contribute below.

Donations can be dropped off at any of our three offices Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm and at our Allison Park office on the first Saturday of the month from 9am-12noon.

Thanksgiving on Every Table, October 16 - November 9

Every year, NHCO distributes hundreds of complete Thanksgiving dinners to families in poverty, hardship and crisis. You can help by holding a collection or donating any or all of the following items to help those in need have a full dinner.

Items for a complete Thanksgiving dinner include:

• A large box stuffing mix

• 1 large box instant mashed potatoes

• A 15-ounce can of cranberry sauce or yams

• A 16-ounce cans of vegetables

• Any dessert mix

• A box of corn muffin or biscuit mix

• A package of turkey gravy mix

• A package of napkins

• A grocery certificate for $25 or more (to purchase a turkey)

• Canvas shopping bag

Other Ways to Help

Seven Easy Ways to Donate to NHCO

1. NHCO.org/Donate

2. Text NHCO to 44-321

3. Call our finance department to make a donation over the phone. 412-487-6316 x3131

4. Send a check payable to North Hills Community Outreach to:

NHCO Main Office
1975 Ferguson Road
Allison Park, PA 15101

5. Multiply your gift with a donation match from your employer. Visit NHCO.org/matching-gifts to see if your donation will be matched.

6. Become a monthly donor. It's easy and automatic. Please visit NHCO.org/Donate and choose "monthly."

7. Planned giving - This opportunity allows donors to leave a lasting legacy to NHCO and the community we serve. Learn more at NHCO.org/legacy.

Thank You!

"HI just wanted me to say thank you for everything today. It was absolutely a pleasure meeting and speaking with you. Your energy really feels that you really do love what you do, and it does show, it's really refreshing and means a lot. Anywho, I hope you have a great weekend and be safe please!"

A client who came to us for rent assistance

"Thank you so so much for everything you do! You're a beautiful soul with a heart of gold these days it's hard to find people like YOU that has a pure genuine kindness. You are AMAZING and please never lose that!!! When we met and the way you treated me I will never forget!

You made me feel heard with true understanding and compassion. Leaving your office, I was no longer feeling ashamed and humiliated with these lowest time of my life feelings. So once again I thank you,

I am grateful for you, I owe you!!!"

A client we helped with a utility bill