NORTHSIDE COMMON MINISTRIES

Programs and Services

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call NCM's Community Food Pantry, Pleasant Valley Shelter or the Administrative Office.  Below is a short explanation of each program and the phone number to call for more information:

Help for the Homeless

Pleasant Valley Shelter provides beds, showers and hot meals to a minimum of 25 homeless men, 365 nights a year.  Strict discipline, cleanliness and hygiene are the rules, and the shelter is in use from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM, seven days a week.  Stays are limited to sixty (60) days per year.  Pleasant Valley Shelter is not a home or hotel; it is a shelter for those who truly need it temporarily.

Additionally, Pleasant Valley provides:

• A full time director, counselor-case manager, and assistant counselor-case manager, and two supervisors (caregivers);
• Basic clothing and toiletries;
• Counseling for independent living, personal matters, substance abuse, and physical or emotional/mental disabilities;
• Employment counseling and job skill training and education referrals;
• Housing assistance;
• Medical attention in cooperation with a network of volunteer medical staff;
• Counseling regarding veterans benefits in cooperation with personnel from the Veterans' Administration.

Help for the Hungry

The Community Food Pantry provides food for one week out of each month for needy households on Pittsburgh's North Side. Paid staff and volunteers solicit food contributions, purchase food, and efficiently operate our pantry. Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10AM -1200PM                                    Every third Saturday 10 AM - 1PM

The Pantry:

• Provides food for an average of 500 households (2,000 individuals) per month;
• Distributes in excess of 300,000 pounds (or about 150 MT' tons) of food annually;
• Provides for special dietary needs;
• Offers a variety of foods including fresh produce, staples, meats, canned goods, frozen items, desserts and beverages;
• Social service referral assistance;
• Books, toys and holiday gifts.

For more information about the Community Food Pantry call: (412) 321-1606.

For the Next Step

The Supportive Housing Program began in November 1996.  It's purpose is to break the cycle of homelessness and desperation. The program offers some financial assistance; it also offers counseling in emotional and physical health, employment and education referrals.

Supportive services are based   on individual needs through one-on-one interviews, weekly support-group sessions and lectures from social service agencies.

NCM currently leases one-bedroom and efficiency apartments NCM currently leases one-bedroom and efficiency apartments in the area.   Participants in the program are screened and supervised by the Supportive Housing Director.

With Help from Above

The Chaplaincy Program provides opportunities for men who stay at Pleasant Valley Shelter to receive spiritual nurturing, counsel and support from volunteer lay and clergy from the faith community. The program is supervised by the Chaplain.

The Chaplaincy Program includes:

• Pastoral counseling on an informal and formal basis and/or in group sessions on NCM's premises at least three nights each week;

• Informal sessions on religious inquiry, study, and/or application of faith to life, as interest warrants;
• Weekly worship services and on special occasions in the Chapel/Library area;
• Bibles and other religious literature are available to participants in the program.