“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)
The Mission of Shepherd's Heart Veterans Home
About Shepherd's Heart Veteran's Home
Shepherd's Heart Veteran's Home (SHVH) is a transitional housing for homeless Veterans. The Veteran's Home is a collaboration between Pittsburgh Veterans Affair's Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV), Comprehensive Homeless Center (CHC) and Shepherd's Heart Fellowship, a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The collaboration aims to achieve a continuum of care for homeless Veterans. There are approximately 1500 homeless veterans on any given night in Allegheny County. In 2006, Shepherd's Heart Fellowship was awarded a grant from the VA to renovate the second floor of the church and turn it into an " Engagement Center". The program aims to service male and female veterans who are homeless and may have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems, mental illness, dual diagnosis, and those who are disabled.
Eligability Criteria:
Must be a veteran of any branch of the Armed Services of United States.
MUST be eligible for VA services
Applicants will be required to submit to a pre-placement drug screen. They should also have a recovery plan in place that includes weekly attendance at drug / alcohol outpatient support group.
Applicants must lack fixed and regular permanent housing.
Applicants should be medically and mentally stable enough to live safely in an unsupervised community living setting.
Applicants are required to undergo a background check. Any applicant who is a registered sex offender, arsonist, or has an outstanding warrant for his/her arrest will not be accepted into this program.
Applicant should be willing to follow program goals and requirements, and be willing to work cooperatively with staff and other residents.
Applicants must be willing to actively search for employment within the first 30 days of residency, or if on a disability be willing to engage in constructive daily activities. All residents must be willing to transition to an independent living situation
Any applicant who is on probation must be willing to sign an information release that allows staff to share information with his/her assigned probation officer.
Applicants must attend a screening interview conducted by the VA Pittsburgh, HCHV staff prior to being accepted into the program.
The Facility:
Shepherd's Heart is located on the second floor of Shepherd's Heart Fellowship at 13 Pride Street in the Uptown area of Pittsburgh. The first floor contains offices, and the third floor is a large worship center. Previously, the second floor had been a medical center; 10 former examination rooms have been converted into bedrooms. Five beds serve as shelter beds for those moving from the streets into the CHC, and other five beds will be transitional beds for those who have finished the CHC program. In addition to the bedrooms, there is a kitchen, a great room (dining and social room), a laundry facility, and 2 restrooms with showers. The facility is handicap accessible. Bus stops are located close by for easy access to transportation. Three meals a day are provided by SHVH.
Requirements and Goals
Upon entering, the Veterans must have 5 or 6 days sober from drugs and alcohol. Veterans who are looking to stay at Shepherd's Heart must apply to the VA's Comprehensive Homeless Program, located at the Heinz Division of Pittsburgh VA, then be accepted into the Per Diem program. Veterans are accepted for a 3 month period, near the end of 3 months, the Veteran will be re-evaluated for another 3 month period. Length of stay at SHVH can extend up to two years. SHVH will work closely with CHC and HCHV to help Veterans get connected to VA services, such as clinical case management, entitlement benefits, housing, socialization skills, vocational rehabilitation, compensated work therapy, substance abuse treatment, and mental health treatment.
Goals of the program include:
1) Achieving residential stability of Veterans
2) Increasing the skill level and/or income of Veterans
3) Developing a greater level of self determination within Veterans
Requirements to stay in SHVH:
1) Participate in community meetings
2) Meet with their case manager a minimum of one time a month
3) Submit to random drug and alcohol screening
4) Obtain some form of employment and save a portion of their earnings OR have an established plan of obtaining employment
5) Adhere to all guidelines established in the living agreement/contract.
Shepherd's Heart Fellowship
For the last 13 years the outreach teams have been working on the streets of Pittsburgh. Shepherd's Heart Fellowship has been working with CHC and HCHV for the last 11 years. Each week outreach teams visit known homeless camps around the city and under the many bridges in Pittsburgh bringing blankets, clothes, and food to the homeless. The teams encourage the homeless to receive help and over time, after establishing a sense of trust with the individuals, they begin to accept their help. Shepherd's Heart Fellowship provides initial and immediate needs such as food, clothes, toiletry items, blankets, and a place to rest. The Fellowship also offers spiritual care; however, it is not mandatory. The Fellowship connects individuals to other homeless agencies, such as the VA, to assist with long-term needs.
Want to know more?
Contact Joseph J. Savino, LCSW, VA Pittsburgh, Healthcare For Homeless Veterans, Tel: 412-822-1295
About SHVH 
