Steel Smiling

08/11/2025

This past May, one of our Steel Smiling Champions dedicated her marathon run to Steel Smiling and raised $10,000 towards our work in the process! Thank you, Jennifer, for being a longtime supporter and for putting so much hard work into these fundraising efforts! 🖤💛

Read more about Jennifer and her fundraising efforts:

This past May, Jennifer Mathias ran the Pittsburgh Marathon and raised money for Steel Smiling in the process. Jennifer has followed Steel Smiling’s journey for nearly its entire existence, even […]

06/25/2025

Join us in welcoming Shawn Thomas as Program Manager of Steel Healing!

“Shawn brings expertise in developing, implementing, maintaining, and scaling high-quality, evidence-based programs. He’s a coach by nature, making him a great fit to lead and support our Peer Support Fellows and support group facilitators. His energy is amazing, and we can’t wait for you to meet him!” — Courtney Abegunde, Operations Director at Steel Smiling.

Read more:

We are thrilled to welcome Shawn Edward Thomas to the Steel Smiling team as our new Program Manager of Steel Healing! In this role, Shawn will lead the Steel Healing […]

06/16/2025

Happy Monday, Steel Smiling Champions. Last week, we had an opportunity to host our first Kickback Wellness Session for the county-wide Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI).

The experience was curated around the theme of gratitude and giving these amazing peacekeepers their flowers. During the event, they were invited to fellowship with their coworkers, reflect on supportive questions that were rooted in gratitude, and practice mindfulness by creating their own beautiful flower arrangements.

Many of them shared how healing the activity was, and that it positively impacted their mental health. Some folks even said that they're going to explore this practice more with their family and friends. Ultimately, the Kickback Session was a great way for their staff to unwind, relax, and receive their flowers.

We'd like to give flowers to our amazing partners at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, The Kingsley Association, and Confleurtti. We're grateful for everyone who helped to make this impactful session a reality.

06/11/2025

Yesterday, we had a powerful Beams to Bridges session with our beloved Elders in the Hill District. We welcomed back three incredible BTB Alumni to share how the program has helped them grow in their careers and show up stronger for themselves.

They dropped real gems on how they're using BTB tools to navigate mental health in their personal and professional spaces. Our current cohort asked thoughtful questions on how to safely manage their own feelings while supporting their peers. It's evident that our ongoing discussions about active listening are deeply resonating with them.

We closed the session with a 10-minute mindfulness practice to ground our spirits before leaving. We took intentional breaths, centered ourselves in the present moment, and reflected on the power of our bodies. It was a beautiful reminder that healing lives in the stillness, the quiet moments within ourselves, and the shared silence of our peers.

Thanks to Chef Budd and his team for keeping us nourished with some delicious light bites. Also, shout out to our partners at Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center Inc. and the Thelma Lovette YMCA for helping to make this collective healing work possible.

06/09/2025

Happy Monday, Steel Smiling Champions! We're hiring (AGAIN)!! 📣📣📣

We're seeking a Program Coordinator to strengthen our Black mental health storytelling and community building efforts throughout Allegheny County.

💼 Full-Time | 📍 Hybrid | 💰 $55–65K + benefits

To apply: Send your resume and cover letter to info@steelsmilingpgh.org

Subject: Program Coordinator

The position will be open until it's filled

No phone calls please 🙂

06/04/2025

Happy Wednesday, Steel Smiling Champions!

Please join us in celebrating Robin Sheffey's new role as the Program Manager for our Beams to Bridges Program!!

🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛

Join us in congratulating Robin on the transition into her new role! As the Program Manager of Beams to Bridges, Robin will oversee the Beams to Bridges (BTB) Program, which […]

05/15/2025

Earlier this week, Steel Smiling launched our 5th Beams to Bridges (BTB) Program Cohort in partnership with staff from Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center.

This BTB cohort will provide mental health training, support, and education to Black elders in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Also, we’re honored to host these sessions at the Thelma Lovette YMCA.

In our first session, the elders shared why Black mental health matters to them through deep reflections that set the tone for a powerful group conversation. We also engaged in a creative expression activity that helped to nurture our collective voices in a safe and supportive way.

It’s evident that this group is ready to grow, heal, and transform transparently over the next six months. BTB is officially back in action—and we’re so grateful to be in fellowship with our elders. Their wisdom, lived experiences, and commitment to collective healing are beautiful.

05/05/2025

Happy Monday, Steel Smiling Champions! 🖤💛

Over the weekend, Jennifer Mathias successfully ran 26.2 miles in the Pittsburgh Marathon. Leading up to the event, Jenn was compelled to create a fundraising campaign that would honor our Decade of Black Mental Health efforts. With online donations from so many generous supporters in the community, we're proud to share that Jenn's fundraiser officially reached its goal of $10,000!

Please join us as we proudly celebrate Jenn and all of the amazing donors who supported this meaningful campaign. Your collective generosity means the world to us as we continue uplifting Black mental health and wellness together!

🖤💛
DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

04/16/2025

🙌🏾 Beams to Bridges is back, y’all! And this one’s for our Elders, Seniors, and Wisdom-Keepers (60+) ❤️ Applications are being accepted now through Tuesday May 29th. Give us a call or email for support filling out the application. Please share this opportunity so interested folks find us easily 🫂

03/31/2025

Over the weekend, one of our Steel Smiling Champions and supporters brought folks together to participate in a restorative yoga session. The wellness offering was organized as part of a fundraising campaign that's benefiting our work in the community. We're so grateful for everyone who showed up to support us and our ongoing efforts.

Special thanks to Jennifer Mathias for her unwavering belief in our mission. Also, shout out to Open Up Pittsburgh and 24 Carrot Juice for their collaboration.

Open Up

03/27/2025

Yesterday, two of our amazing staff members (Robin Sheffey and Cheyenne Campbell) participated in Healthy Start's Mental Health Roundtable Event.

The experience brought together community members, advocates, and professionals to discuss solutions and take action as guided by the Allegheny County BIRTH Plan for Black Babies and Families. The discussion covered barriers to culturally-competent perinatal mental health care, support systems, and community-based solutions.

Healthy Start, Inc. Pittsburgh/Allegheny County

03/26/2025

📢We're hiring! Apply to join our team as Program Manager of Steel Healing by April 11th!

The Program Manager will be responsible for leading our Steel Healing Program, which encompasses our Black Mental Health Fund, Peer Support, and Wellness Navigation Services.

Learn more⬇️

Position: Program Manager of Steel Healing Status: Full-Time; exempt    Reports to: Director of Operations  Work Location: Hybrid (in-office 1 day a week); Remote 4 days or as schedule permits; […]