Great Nonprofits

I have followed North Hills Community Outreach's growth since it started. I covered the floods in 1986 for a local newspaper and formation of NHCO in their wake. I was so impressed with its contributions to the community that I became a volunteer after I retired. You couldn't find more dedicated staff members and the many voluneers who carry out the organization's work.

North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) located in Millvale was there to help those devastated by the floods that nearly destroyed their community several years ago. NHCO has not yet tired in its quest to help those in need-- even old dogs! As I surfed the web I came across a wonderful volunteer, Maria Christina, via her link on the Animal Friends website trying to honor the dying wish of a transient woman Maria purposed to help. That wish was to keep "Midnight Blue", the dog owned by that transient,-- her one and only companion in life & the only soul that stayed faithfully by her side when everyone else shunned her-- alive. I saw Blue and he looked pitiful. Who'd adopt this near-death, depressed, underweight, lame, tumor-filled 14 year old? ME! I drove from Sewickley Heights to pick up Blue from a dear woman in the South Hills who had him for only 80 hours before realizing she couldn not keep him. I immmediately took Blue to Dr. Maro, my Holistic Vet up in Chippewa, where he had a full work up and holistic therapies and was found to be in fine shape even though he was about 110 in people years! Several days later and 24/7 at my side, Blue realized he wasn't going to move again and began to perk up. He had surgery and continues therapies and is now very active, very handsome, very funny, very much loved and very SPOILED! He travels with me to friends' houses and makes himself at-home and endearing. My expectations with NHCO & Animal Friends was FAR EXCEEDED!!! I wanted info and ended up with a love story. When NHCO gave its word it was kept and it met the needs of the community in ways that go beyond paperwork. Maria kept her promise to someone who died for something that can't even speak for itself. Who'd have ever noticed if NHCO gave the body of the transient woman to the coronor and put the dog down? Only Maria's own heart would know. That's why I know NHCO is a GREAT non-profit. At her own expense, Maria provided for Blue's care because his "first mom" trusted Maria would do so. Now Maria can say "mission accomplished" because Blue has a loving home, a wonderful Vet, lots of chewies, an oversized stuffed featherdown chair and blankie from which to watch TV while waiting for one of his homecooked meals to be served. He's my ol' boy and I know Blue knows I'm his new mommy. THANK YOU NHCO!

I heard about North Hills Community Outreach through my school, immediately contacted a staff member, and then began my work shortly after. Yes, I did see the results I was hoping for. I expected that I would help those members of the Pittsburgh community who are in need and so far I have done that. We collected items for food drives and also collected bicycles that we gave out for free to clients. Recently, we worked together with PALS, an organization that promotes clean communities and works to achieve that goal. My fellow employees and I worked hard to clean up the local creek in Millvale and dispose of trash and dangerous objects that were in the creek. Our next project is a cell phone drive in which we will collect old cell phones.

NHCO is everything that I expected and more. I came to know NHCO through a flier in the mail. Last year I applied for a job there as a Youth Leadership Coordinator. I was hired there. As a Youth Leadership Coordinator I help out around the Millvale NHCO office as well as participate and encourage others to participate in NHCO's Sharing Projects. The latest Project that I worked on involved bicycles. We had a lot of repaired bikes, and we would fit a person properly to a bike. We would then give them information on repairing and maintaining their bike. Also, if their kids did not have a helmet, we had gift cards that they could buy a helmet with. I haven't met a person at NHCO who isn't caring and devoted to their job, NHCO, and most importantly, families who are in need of NHCO. Everyone who works here is very positive and nice. The facilities at the NHCO office are very nice for a Non Profit Organization. They have a pantry of emergency food for any family who is in instant need of food. Nothing is run down or unkempt. NHCO also has a great community center underneath of it's office. This community center is a great place in which they hold many events in. Overall, NHCO is a great place that I have had the pleasure of working for, and I strongly encourage anyone who is looking for a great volunteer experience to volunteer or work for NHCO.

I had volunteered for NHCO in the past with various school and community services, but in January of 2008 I was hired as a youth leadership coordinator for the Millvale location. One of the first things I learned about the organization is that they have several locations including but not limited to: Allison Park, Millvale, etc.; making the organiztion more available to those who do not have transportation or have limited transportation. Unlike most organizations that I have helped with in the past, I discovered within my first few days of working here that NHCO exclusively helps those in need in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh but will help other places if need be. NHCO can address a variety of issues in a person's life including spiritual, emotional, physical, and material needs. While NHCO will provide emergency assistance such as emergency food or emergency rent payment, NHCO works with the people in need to become and stay self-sufficient in their daily lives thru a diverse selection of programs such as community auto, a family savings account, and so much more. As part of my job, I run and maintain collection drives in the local area at places such as my school district and my church. A nice thing about these drive is that there is no age limit on collecting items. I have involved children as young as the elementary-school age level and have involved senior citizens from my church. Since my time working here, I have personally participated in the Souper Bowl Drvie, the Spring Share collection, and the Bike Shop; all which had great success. I would recommend the services of this organization to anyone in need because of the diversity of their programs.

This orgainization really has the best interest of the families in mind. They do anything and everything they can to help as many people as they can and their successes are huge. They consider all circumstances and do their very best to make everything work out. Also, this organization does not only provide emergency assistance in times of crisis, but it helps people to help themselves and get their lives on track and really gives them the opportunity to be more independent and self sufficient. This organization helps so many grateful people and it's a great honor to be a part of it.

This is a great organization. Being out of work is difficult. The staff is compassionate and caring. They made me feel welcome. I appreciate their kindness, and the respect they gave to me. Thanks so much!

i'm e-mailing you to express such a honest thank you for all of your services you have given me so graciously. natalie knows alot of my story and without her guidence i'd be still in a shell somewhere. i came from an abusive relationship, molested as a child(not by any family member), not able to enter into a healthly relationship and 2 of my 4 kids were in a trauma level 1 lifeflight car crash not expected (by any doctor) to survive. through seeing the neuro critical unit team "crack my son's chest massage his heart and race him to the operating" i fell to the wall crying to the lord not to take my son away from my, he went through my divorce. abuse, etc. with me. and promised me prior he'd always be close to me. i'm his mom, his enforcer, his friend, and sometimes i don't agree with him so i become the enemy, but he says "i understand you mom and it's your uncondtional love for me that sometimes makes you make those choices i understand and love you for raising a boy to a man all on your own, i understand and love you always the same as you love us uncondtionally." i've had some hard things happen and it's out of my control...but just as i pray about my son, and daughter(whom doesn't speak to me after the accident she was also in, i don't know her reasons for the hate she carries in her heart for me...i'm going to let the lord my heavenly father take care of that), and thank the outreach center for helping me with bills, food, and just plain listening to me talk. without the help i honestly needed someone's help. no one has ever taken me under their wing and help gradually begin to heal and fly again. i pray i'll oneday again soar like an eagle through life as i once have. this is just a thank you note and appreciation of all you have done. sincere thank you, from beth

nhco has literally been a lifesaver for me. I would be homeless if it were not for their help & the help of generous donors. I had fallen on hard times,had to quit my job because of various health problems. I am now waiting on word from social security disability(which is a nightmare). In the meantime i applied for welfare & the little amount of money I get from welfare doesn't cover my mortgage. I had gotten a forclosure notice from my mortgage company & nhco saved me from forclose. They gave me help with utilities-who to call, help with filling out paperwork-everything. I also recieve food every month(excellent selection),clothing,toys for the kids for Christmas,gift certificates for meals for Thanksgiving plus extra food. I have also gotten a lot of emotional support from them. I felt very welcomed the first time I went there. They didn't make me feel like I was just there for a handout. They really are there for you for as long as you need them.

NHCO is extremely helpful in various aspect such as, their food bank program, winter coats, school supplies for children, helping with payment of utilities, and so much more. They do not make you feel as if your less of a quality person when you ask for help. Sometimes you need help and they treat you like family. As a single parent i dont know what i would of done without them more than once. Thank you & God bless you all.

NHCO is a great organization that shows compassion and respect to their clients. Compassion Allegheny is a great resource to new and existing organizations to help them negoiate and thrive in the changing climate in the non profit and government environ.

I have been a volunteer for NHCO for over ten years so I have seen this wonderful organization grow in their desire to help people in need and reach out to the community. We have been through floods in the Pine Creek area and Millvale. Those disasters taught us so much about what our mission should be and that is what we do. We feed, clothe, find jobs, help with utilities, provide rides for people for shopping and doctor appointments and provide counseling and the list goes on and on. I am very proud to be part of this wonderful organization.

It is a privilege to serve on the Board with North Hills Community Outreach. We are constantly re-defining ourselves through the needs of our communities that we embrace. The people that I serve with and work through are graceful in what they do to help others.

I am currently in my second term as a North Hills Community Outreach Board member. It’s a great organization with an outstanding staff! Fay Morgan, the ED, as well as the staff and volunteers, make sure that our mission is continued. Our mission is to make sure no one is cold, hungry, or forgotten. We continue to serve thousands of families experiencing hardships on a daily basis. Many are not aware that NHCO was founded as a direct result of the devastating flood in Etna in 1987. It’s hard to believe that same hardship was repeated with Ivan and Katrina. Over the past 20 years, (We just celebrated our 20th year in existence!) NHCO has grown and expanded their mission to include many different outreach programs.

As an NHCO Board member, I have the unique opportunity to see the dedication and expertise of the staff - especially Fay Morgan the Exec Dir. - up close. Perhaps their greatest strength is an acute understanding of the everyday needs of north hills residents in crisis. They have developed programs that address the real needs of these people and show us success stories at every board meeting. It is truly an honor to work with them. Bill Miller