Shepherd Wellness Community

Shepherd Wellness Community Shepherd Wellness Community's mission is helping people living with HIV/AIDS improve their Wellness The first dinner was held in October 1987.

In the summer of 1987, four young men living with AIDS, a social worker, and a physician met with Episcopal Priest Father Lynn Edwards to discuss the effects of AIDS and HIV infection in the Pittsburgh area. Then, as today, Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 states with the most cases of AIDS. Yet there was no place where people with this disease could socialize with their partners, families and

friends in a safe and secure setting. From that meeting grew the Shepherd Wellness Community, a gathering place and resource center for people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. The tradition of a nourishing meal accompanied by health education programs, peer support, wellness classes and socialization continues to this day, as we welcome people across the spectrum of age, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. SERVICES PROVIDED
• The only HIV/AIDS community in Western Pennsylvania.
• More than 7,000 wellness dinners each year improve nutrition and provide social support.
• HIV Support groups boost mental and physical health
and guide members through the challenges of living
with HIV/AIDS.
• Peer Counseling phone calls offer a lifeline of help by
providing support, information and referrals to connect
members with HIV/AIDS services.
• Treatment education speakers help our members
improve their wellness and provide the latest
information about HIV/AIDS treatment and medical
advances.
• Wellness programs improve quality of life by
addressing the six dimensions of wellness (social,
occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual and
emotional).
• Transportation assistance, in the form of bus tickets
or mileage reimbursement, helps our members access
our services.
• Quality of Life Respite Outings combat isolation
and loneliness and provide supportive community for
people living with HIV and their loved ones.

Hey friends! 👋 We're on a mission to level up our Google game and we need your superpower - a quick review! 🚀 Scan the Q...
06/16/2026

Hey friends! 👋 We're on a mission to level up our Google game and we need your superpower - a quick review! 🚀 Scan the QR code or click this link https://g.page/r/CXOdG-rD1OiEEBM/review to help us build trust and stand out like a superhero in search results and on google maps! 💪

A great big thank you is in order to the Social Justice and Outreach Committee (SJO) of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsbu...
06/11/2026

A great big thank you is in order to the Social Justice and Outreach Committee (SJO) of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh for their continued support of our fabulous little garden!

Since 2014, our vibrant SWC herb and vegetable garden has continued to thrive, with some of its original plants, such as Pepperoni Oregano and Thyme, still blooming - a shining example of the power of timeless classics to uplift and inspire! These resilient herbs have not only withstood the test of time but have also flourished, just like our HIV+ members who continue to flourish with the marvels of modern medicine and the support of a caring and loving community. Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

We are deeply moved by this spotlight. In our center, we display a plaque that reads, "There shall be no outcasts in thi...
06/11/2026

We are deeply moved by this spotlight. In our center, we display a plaque that reads, "There shall be no outcasts in this church." While those words reflect our broader intention rather than our formal mission statement, they perfectly capture our commitment to welcoming everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you, Global Links, for recognizing this spirit and for being such a vital partner in our work to provide care and build community.

SWC is a nonprofit agency providing wellness support, education and nutritious meals to those living with HIV/AIDS in Southwestern PA.

We are incredibly grateful to The Pittsburgh Foundation for their generous support, which allows us to continue our vita...
06/09/2026

We are incredibly grateful to The Pittsburgh Foundation for their generous support, which allows us to continue our vital work for our community. This funding is essential in helping us bridge budget gaps and maintain the core programs that provide nutritious meals, health education, peer counseling, and social programming for those who need it most.

To learn more about our ongoing program and ways you can contribute, please visit our website at https://swconline.org/.

“There is still stigma living with HIV/AIDS,” said Richard Krug, executive director of Shepherd Wellness Community. “Many people are condemned, rejected and treated like pariahs... In some cases, we’re the only family they have.”

Shepherd Wellness Community provides vital services to people living with HIV/AIDS like hosting community dinners, peer counseling, health education and social programing to reduce isolation and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. The organization faces a budget gap from a 25% reduction of government funding for Ryan White HIV/AIDS services, a source of regular support.

The Pittsburgh Foundation awarded Shepherd Wellness Community a two-year, $80,000 grant for general operating support to support core programing as part of the 2026 spring grant cycle.

Learn more about Shepherd Wellness Community, including how you can support directly: https://swconline.org/

Friday, June 5, 2026, is Long-Term Survivor Day. Every one of our members living with HIV/AIDS is a survivor, and we hon...
06/04/2026

Friday, June 5, 2026, is Long-Term Survivor Day. Every one of our members living with HIV/AIDS is a survivor, and we honor each person with deep respect and gratitude. On this day, we especially lift up those who were diagnosed before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996. For many, HAART changed the course of HIV/AIDS, transforming what was once a fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition. As we remain committed to supporting everyone living with HIV/AIDS, we also pause to recognize the unique journeys of long-term survivors—the hardships they have endured, the losses they have carried, and the extraordinary resilience they continue to show. June 5 holds special meaning because it was on June 5, 1981, that the CDC first reported five cases of a mysterious illness affecting young gay men. That moment is widely recognized as the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, a history marked by pain, courage, advocacy, and hope. On this special day, the staff and board of SWC reaffirm our heartfelt commitment to this our vital work and to standing alongside our community until a cure is found.

Warning: Mischief alert! 🚨 These two goofballs are wreaking havoc on Ross Street between 5th and 6th Avenue at the BNY F...
06/04/2026

Warning: Mischief alert! 🚨 These two goofballs are wreaking havoc on Ross Street between 5th and 6th Avenue at the BNY Food Truck Day for Pride in downtown Pittsburgh. Come hang out, give them a high-five, and score some amazing grub while you're at it! Oh, and don't forget to check out the awesome organizations tabling in the sun ☀️ Event ends at 2:00pm today June 4th.

The Shepherd Wellness Community Staff, Board, and its members are deeply inspired to celebrate the life of our beloved f...
06/02/2026

The Shepherd Wellness Community Staff, Board, and its members are deeply inspired to celebrate the life of our beloved friend Kathi Boyle, who passed away on Sunday, May 31st, 2026.

Kathi's remarkable years of leadership at the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Persad Center, and Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation ignited a beacon of hope for the HIV/AIDS community. She was a shining star, tirelessly advocating and promoting greater wellness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, with a special focus on empowering women and youth. From housing to mental health to nurturing new leadership, her selfless service left an indelible mark on countless lives within our community. We are forever grateful for her unwavering care and her unrelenting passion to uplift and serve people living with HIV/AIDS in our Pittsburgh region. At this time, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with her family and friends, especially her devoted wife, Betty.

Kathi, along with Betty, was honored at our 2025 SWC Red Ribbon Benefit for her tireless life's work, and she will always and forever be remembered as a Friend of Wellness.

Pittsburgh weather, am I right? 🙄 It's like, 'Hey, let's have a BBQ... no wait, let's not... no wait, let's do it inside...
05/21/2026

Pittsburgh weather, am I right? 🙄 It's like, 'Hey, let's have a BBQ... no wait, let's not... no wait, let's do it inside!' 🤣 So, we're moving our Memorial Day cookout (5/22/2026) to the cozy SWC dining room. Same grub, same vibes, just minus the umbrella hairdos. 🌂️

Memorial Day Weekend Cookout at Shepherd Wellness Community center:
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Social time, games, and prizes (because who doesn't love prizes? 🎁);
1:00pm - 1:30pm: Cookout extravaganza! Menu: Chips, watermelon, burgers, hotdogs, baked beans, macaroni salad, and cupcakes (because, priorities 🍰).

Oh, and don't forget: no Friday Night Wellness Dinner or Support Group on Fri, 5/22/26. See you there, weather or not! 😊

Community support keeps SWC running. Thank you, Bazaar Bazaar, for the gift of $450 towards our Meal & Wellness programs...
05/19/2026

Community support keeps SWC running. Thank you, Bazaar Bazaar, for the gift of $450 towards our Meal & Wellness programs through your raffle. We appreciate you! 💕

Address

4800 Sciota Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15224

Telephone

+14126834477

Website

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