Impact Report
2022-2023
MISSION
Hello Neighbor works to improve the lives of recently resettled refugee and immigrant families by matching them with dedicated neighbors to guide and support them in their new lives.
VISION
Hello Neighbor envisions a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant Pittsburgh and America, whose newest neighbors can realize their dreams of success and prosperity. We aspire to see communities where everyone is valued for their diverse perspectives and are empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.
VALUES
REFUGEE-FIRST MINDSET
We believe that all of our work should start with the best interests of the refugees that we serve as voiced by them.
CROSS-CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
We believe in having a thoughtful approach toward the refugee families we support. We know the best answers come from really listening to the needs of the community and that trauma-informed care impacts programmatic support.
DIGNIFIED STORYTELLING
We believe in protecting the privacy and dignity of refugee families by sharing their stories in a respectful way. We strive to be mindful of and sensitive to the journeys and trauma these stories may represent.
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
We believe the most important aspect of our program is the human connection and trust that comes from mentor/mentee relationships. Listening and connecting over shared experiences helps to foster a community that transcends cultures.
INCLUSIVE SUPPORT
We believe in welcoming and standing beside all refugees and immigrants—regardless of race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship status or sexual orientation—and honoring their experiences and voices with a spirit of acceptance and belonging.
LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is my privilege to present to you Hello Neighbor’s 2022-2023 Impact Report!
Over the past year, Hello Neighbor has experienced an incredible journey of resilience and unwavering commitment to our mission. We have faced numerous challenges within the ever-evolving landscape of refugee resettlement. However, through it all, our collective determination to make a meaningful difference has shone brightly.
In the face of adversity, our team, volunteers, and supporters have demonstrated tireless dedication. We've not only weathered storms but have also celebrated numerous successes. Whether it was navigating the complexities of resettling new neighbors in Pittsburgh or scaling our programs to meet the growing needs of our communities, our journey has been marked by moments of profound impact.
I am immensely proud to share that Hello Neighbor's impact has been made possible by your steadfast support. Your volunteerism, mentorship, donations, and commitment to our cause have been instrumental in our achievements. It's the power of community and collective action that continues to drive us forward and reinforces the core values upon which Hello Neighbor was founded.
Family Services, encompassing Mentorship, Smart Start, and Study Buddy programs, continues to be core to our mission and receiving attention across the state. We are also wrapping up our second year as a Resettlement agency. This department plays a crucial role in securing safe housing, facilitating employment opportunities, and providing comprehensive support to our newest neighbors. These initiatives represent our ongoing commitment to holistic, community-centered support.
On a national scale, the Hello Neighbor Network, powered by Hello Neighbor, has witnessed remarkable growth. We’ve expanded educational offerings, elevated our Annual Convening as a flagship event, and reimagined our regrant programs through the Resilience Grants portfolio. This portfolio has enabled us to support impactful work happening across the country.
As I stand here today, representing our incredible staff and dedicated Board of Directors, I am deeply honored to present this report to you. I invite you to explore the stories and statistics within these pages, which reflect the heart and soul of Hello Neighbor. You will see how our core values continue to guide us in our daily work, both locally in Pittsburgh, across Allegheny County, and throughout the nation.
I hope this report inspires you, not only by the progress we've made but also by the immense potential of our collective impact. I encourage you to become even more involved in our mission, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply spreading the word about Hello Neighbor.
With abundance, gratitude, and unwavering joy,
Sloane Davidson
Founder and CEO
MENTORSHIP
Our first program turned seven! Since 2017, we’ve matched over 150 refugee families from more than 26 countries with caring neighbors.
Hello Neighbor was founded with Mentorship at our core because we believe that these relationships are key to creating a welcoming community and a better country. Mentor and mentee matches decide for themselves what sorts of activities they want to do together, ranging from: playing at the local park and attending Hello Neighbor events, to helping mentee families read mail and sharing meals together.
This cohort began just over one year after the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan and followed a dramatic influx of Afghan families to the Pittsburgh area, many suffering from the fresh trauma of fleeing their homes. It was our first cohort in which a majority of mentees came from a single country. We knew that Afghan participants and their mentors would need additional support and established monthly optional training opportunities to help mentors navigate these challenges.
COHORT 7: OCTOBER 2022-MAY 2023
Moving the Needle: Increasing Community Support for New Neighbors
How has being a mentor impacted your support for refugees in Pittsburgh?
81.2% felt more or far more supportive of refugees
How likely are you to recommend being a mentor to your friends, families, or coworkers?
100% were likely to recommend mentorship
“She took us to her work and showed us where she works and what she does. This is new to us as a culture, the fact that she as a woman could be that independent, that strong and persevere. She told me that if you put a goal in mind, you can reach it. I never learned to read and write, but now I am going twice a week to learn because she showed me I could.”
“One of the things that has really stuck with me was the pistachios—they told us about their memories of walking around Aleppo when the pistachios are in season you can literally hear their shells popping open and there’s this chorus of pistachios…we think of this as this war torn place and there is real beauty and life there.”
SMART START
Moving to a new country comes with challenges. In the U.S., birth culture can look and be very different from our families’ home cultures and birthing practices. It can be isolating, overwhelming, and confusing to give birth in a foreign land. Compounding the difference are language barriers and separation from one’s culture and family, which can further contribute to feelings of isolation during pregnancy and postpartum. Smart Start provides care coordination, connection to resources, support items, and culturally-tailored perinatal education and support throughout the birthing journey.
SERVICES PROVIDED/VISITS:
(through HN or facilitated through partners):
“Thank you, this was so hard but it was like we were not in a foreign country because you were there for us.”
– Smart Start participant after a late-stage miscarriage
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“On the last day of my life, I will remember you because you were there for us during this time.”
– Smart Start parent to the Smart Start team
STUDY BUDDY
Since 2020, Hello Neighbor has been helping refugee and immigrant youth in school districts across Allegheny County to navigate the education system through personalized, online, one-on-one tutoring. Current students, recent graduates, and young professionals are matched with refugee and immigrant students in grades 6-12 to help them navigate remote learning, stay motivated to attend class, and build relationships with peers and school staff.
“Shaban was able to tell me in detail about the guest speakers from Cuba last week, and I was truly impressed! He had great questions which were very relevant and inquisitive pertaining to their background, to poetry, to the location of Cuba, and then we branched off into talking about language translation and what it means/how it works.”
SPRING 2023 PROGRAM EVALUATION
Study Buddy hosted events for the first time this year!
“My biggest highlight for this session had been making sure that Masah not only got her assignments done, but that she truly understood every step that was involved in solving the equation. Goal achieved!”
RESETTLEMENT
Our refugee resettlement program through the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) focuses on directly resettling refugees, people with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees across Allegheny County.
DEMOGRAPHICS
FAMILY REUNION SUCCESS STORIES
- A husband joined his wife after almost two years of separation. They are now expecting their first child.
- A woman joined her parents and siblings after a nine-year separation.
- A brother and his family joined his sister and her family after six years apart.
- A client who joined her siblings will be attending the University of Pittsburgh for Law School in the fall.
NETWORK
The Hello Neighbor Network, powered by Hello Neighbor, is a coalition of grassroots organizations working in post-refugee and immigrant resettlement in the U.S. that comes together to grow and inspire change.
The Network’s mission is to provide grassroots nonprofits working with a client base that is at least 50% immigrants and refugees with a supportive peer network, education, skills and resources to better fulfill their own missions and to elevate grassroots voices in the ongoing conversation around refugees in the U.S.
Purpose: Resilience Grants go to the greatest areas of need and opportunity for refugees and immigrants nationwide and leverage national funding for local, community-based organizations working with immigrants and refugees.
NETWORK SPOTLIGHT
“Being part of this network is the best thing for us as a young, emerging Non-Profit Organization that works for the betterment of the immigrant and refugee community.”
VOLUNTEERS
Hello Neighbor added a lot of new opportunities for Welcome Team volunteers this year! This year, volunteers have started taking our neighbors shopping for clothes, helped them register for library cards, and showed them how to reach culturally appropriate grocery stores by bus.
HELLO NEIGHBOR HAS TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF VOLUNTEERS:
Programmatic
(Mentors and Study Buddy Tutors)
Mentorship:
Study Buddy
Welcome Team
(Smart Start, Resettlement, office support, Hello Neighbor events, and more)
In Kind Donations
DONATION DRIVES (20)
- Christ Church UMC Bethel Park
- Crossroads Presbyterian Church
- Fox Chapel Area High School Social Activism Club
- Fred Rogers Productions
- InnovationWorks
- Luxe Skin Salon in Carnegie
- McKinsey & Company Pittsburgh office
- Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church
- Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church
- PennWest University
- St. Andrew’s Episcopoal Church
- St. Bede’s School Fourth Grade Class
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sewickley Area Mom’s Club
- Shadyside Academy Junior & Senior School
- Shaler Area High School
- Student National Dental Association (Pitt chapter)
- Upper St. Claire High School
- Vizo Financial Group
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Nancy is a librarian and former ESL teacher. During her time in the Peace Corps, she traveled to West Africa and learned to speak French. Now, she has used her career experience and language skills to connect Hello Neighbor families with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Thanks to Nancy and the guide she helped us build, other volunteers are equipped to help all new arrivals get library cards and learn about library resources.
A young mother from Ethiopia named Ruth gave birth to twins via emergency C-Section. For several months, she lived in the NICU at Magee Women’s Hospital to be with her children. Volunteers helped her shop for clothing and baby items, and delivered hot meals to the hospital. The meals provided a taste of home, but also helped Ruth stay nourished and energized during a challenging time.
“Ruth was very grateful for the meal train. When I met her she was really struggling and her quality of life was just not what any mother deserves. In her situation, warm meals, especially those from home, as well as clean and comfortable clothing provided some solace and an embrace from the community here in Pittsburgh. She knows there are people here that care about her and her babies’ wellbeing and I really appreciate that.”
EVENTS
HOME SWEET HOME
On Sunday, September 18th, 2022 Hello Neighbor gathered with over 270 neighbors at the beautiful Heinz History Center for an unforgettable evening of community, delicious food, outstanding entertainment and more - all in support of our newest neighbors. We had the opportunity to honor individuals who have had an impactful role in the community and have helped to make Pittsburgh a welcoming city.
2022 Awards
Community Partner Award
Good Neighbor Award
Youth Champion Award
Volunteer Advocate Award
New Neighbor Champion
Champion Award
HELLO NEIGHBOR ANNUAL COMMUNITY POTLUCK
May 21, 2023 in Highland Park
Our annual potluck gathered new neighbors from around the world to share culture through food and play. This year, we hosted over 400 members of our community! Afternoon highlights include:
- Food covering three folding tables and a serving bar
- Kids activities including the opportunity to climb inside of a firetruck, draw with chalk, try out a pottery wheel, and play favorite lawn games
- Free doll-size hijabs courtesy of Hello Hijab
- Basil to pot and take home, donated by Grow Pittsburgh
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IMMIGRANT GROCERY STORE DAYS
Immigrant Grocery Store Days is a 3-day event started by Hello Neighbor during the pandemic to help address food insecurity. Families in our programs receive $100 to shop at an immigrant owned grocery store. We’ve continued this tradition to support our local immigrant owned stores. This year our families shopped at Global Food in Wilkinsburg, Nataliya in Greenfield, and Salem’s Market and Grill in the Strip District.
STUDY BUDDY EVENTS
- Study Buddy Conflict Resolution with Jasper Leahy
- City of Asylum Writing Workshop + Presentations
IN THE MEDIA
Financials July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
REVENUE
EXPENSES
BOARD
BOARD MEMBERS
- Katie Le
Co-Chair - Chris Boehm
Co-Chair - Ezz-Eldin Moukamal, MD
Vice Chair - Kristin Garbarino
Secretary - Amanda Strader
Treasurer - Andrea Belen-Sandhorst
- Alexandra Cavoulacos
- Sloane Davidson
- Paul Fermo
- Aliza Haider
- Kristen Hemmings
- Sarah Miley
- Tina Tran
- Matt Zieger
- Carissa Slotterback, PhD
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD
- Samantha Callahan
Chair - Bryana Ellis
Chair Elect - Nicholas Pucci
Treasurer - Katie Krancevich
Secretary - Kristen Hemmings
Hello Neighbor Board of Directors Liaison - Jorie Bagnato
- Alexandra Balouris
- Melissa Barton
- Maria Castello
- Jim Chen
- Lena DeLucia
- Reece Dolbin
- Nicole Graycar
- Leah Kaighn
- Tatiana Martinez
- Gina McKlveen
- Marissa Muth
- Emily Pennington
- Sarah Pierotti
- Richard Power
- Christina Ranalli
- Kelly Ryan
- Brittany Satterfield
- Danielle Scalise
- Casey Skittle
- Kiersten Walmsley
- John Warner
- Claire Wever
THANK YOU
CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS
- AIM CCI Project
- American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
- Ballard Spahr LLP
- Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
- Coghill Investment Strategies
- Community Sponsorship Hub
- Crawford Ellen Bogen
- Dentons Cohen & Grigsby
- Dollar Bank Foundation
- Duolingo
- Duquesne Light Company
- Eaton Foundation
- First National Bank
- FISA Foundation
- Fox Rothschild LLP
- Global Atlantic
- Good People Fund
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Highmark & Allegheny Health Network
- Highmark Wholecare
- Howard and Nell Miller Foundation
- Jewish Healthcare Foundation
- Littler
- Massey Charitable Trust
- McAuley Ministries
- NiSource Charitable
- NuGo
- PNC
- PNC Foundation
- Richard King Mellon Foundation
- Segal Family Foundation
- Snee-Reinhardt Foundation
- Starbucks Company
- Staunton Farm Foundation
- Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky
- The Banks-Baldwin Foundation
- The Benter Foundation
- The Birmingham Foundation
- The Grable Foundation
- The Harnisch Foundation
- The Jack Buncher Foundation
- The Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh
- The Walmart Foundation
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants - USCRI
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public & International Affairs
- UPMC
- USA for UNHCR
- VisitPITTSBURGH
- W.I Patterson Charitable Fund
- Welcome.US
- WES
COMMUNITY AND INTERFAITH PARTNERS
A heartfelt expression of gratitude to our partners who have generously provided in-kind donations, engaged as volunteers, and offered a myriad of other support to our newest neighbors and staff.
- 10.27 Healing Partnership
- 412 Food Rescue
- Adoption Connection
- Allegheny County Department of Human Services
- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
- Argo AI
- Aspinwall Presbyterian Church
- Bakluva LLC
- Beverly’s Birthdays
- Binz
- Bower Hill Community Church
- Calvary Episcopal Church
- Calvin Presbyterian Church
- Carnegie Elementary School
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
- Carol Harris Staffing
- Carrick Pharmacy
- Central Presbyterian Church
- Christ Church UMC Bethel Park
- Christ United Methodist Church
- Church of Ascension
- CleanCare
- Community Day School
- Computer Reach
- Concord Hospitality
- CORT Furniture
- Crossroads Presbyerian Church
- doTERRA
- Dress for Success
- East Liberty Presbyterian Church
- Eat’n’Park
- Environmental Charter Schools
- Episcopal Diocese
- Fox Chapel Area High School Social Activism Club
- Fred Rogers Productions
- Genesis House
- Global Food
- Global Links
- Global Switchboard
- Goodlander
- Goodwill of Southwestern PA
- Goodwill
- Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
- Holiday Inn Express & Suite Pittsburgh North Shore Resettlement
- Holy Family Institute
- Homeless Children’s Education Fund
- Hyatt House Shadyside
- InnovationWorks
- Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
- Khalil’s
- Kingsley Association
- KLVN
- Lark Adventurewear
- LIGHT Initiative
- Literacy Pittsburgh
- love, Pittsburgh
- Magee Women’s Hospital
- McKinsey Pittsburgh
- MLK Community Garden
- Mt Lebanon Lutheran Church
- Mt Lebanon United Methodist Church
- North Hills Community Outreach
- Office of Mayor Ed Gainey
- Open Field
- PennWest University
- PennDOT
- Pitt Dental
- Pittsburgh Cares
- Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board
- Pittsburgh North MAMA
- Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library
- Point Breeze Organization
- Providence Church
- Riva Ridge
- Salem’s Market and Grill
- Sewickley Area Mom’s Club
- Shady Side Academy
- Shaler Area High School
- South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)
- Squirrel Hill Health Center
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
- St. Bede’s School
- St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church
- St. Edmund’s Academy
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- Staffmark
- State of PA Refugee Commission
- Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church
- The Allegheny Conference on Community Development
- The Education Partnership
- Thermo Fisher
- Thriftique
- TRYP Hotel
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills
- UPMC East Hospital
- Upper St. Claire High School
- Vizo Financial Group
- VolunTOTs
- Waverly Presbyterian Church
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
- Wexford Community Presbyterian Church
WHAT’S NEXT?
VAN UPDATE
We have our 15-passenger van!
With the support of community members like you, we were able to make this dream a reality. In addition to picking up our newest neighbors when they arrive at the airport, we will also use the van for programmatic needs including job interviews, medical appointments, and cultural competency training.
OMID E MAHAJIR (THE HOPE OF A REFUGEE) CENTER FOR AFGHAN RESILIENCE
Omid e Mahajir (The Hope of a Refugee) Center for Afghan Resilience is a dual-agency program in partnership with Bethany Christian Services. This new program is made possible through the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Services for Afghan Survivors Impacted by Combat (SASIC). SASIC was launched to address the unique needs of Afghans who experienced combat-related trauma. Omid e Mahajir offers holistic, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services.
Hello Neighbor
6587 Hamilton Ave, Suite #1E
Pittsburgh, PA 15206Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor is a 501(c)(3) | EIN: 82-3695047