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.

Upcoming volunteer opportunities for the Day of Healing- a special day to offer a peaceful and supportive space for indi...
08/05/2025

Upcoming volunteer opportunities for the Day of Healing- a special day to offer a peaceful and supportive space for individuals living with HIV to come together to learn, educate, and share experiences while focusing on living healthy, fulfilling lives.

The Day of Healing is a joint collaboration between SWC, Allies for Health + Wellbeing, Persad Center, and Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center Inc.

We hope you can join us!

07/30/2025

We have an "Amazon Angel" at SWC. Thanks for all the surprise packages from our Wishlist; it was Christmas in July thanks to you!

Happenstance Cafe in Lawrenceville donated a portion of their June sales to the Shepherd Wellness Community as part of t...
07/25/2025

Happenstance Cafe in Lawrenceville donated a portion of their June sales to the Shepherd Wellness Community as part of their "community beneficiary" program supporting local non-profits. Aren't they amazing?

Make sure to check them out next time you're in Lawrenceville!

Our founders started Shepherd Wellness Community in 1987 as a commitment to ending the stigma experienced by people livi...
07/21/2025

Our founders started Shepherd Wellness Community in 1987 as a commitment to ending the stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS. It's every day at SWC.

Learn more at swconline.org.

Address

Pittsburgh, PA

Telephone

+14126834477

Website

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Shepherd Wellness Community

In the summer of 1987 a group of young men living with AIDS, a caring social worker and a physician met with 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 in Pittsburgh where people with this disease could socialize with their partners, families and friends in a safe and secure setting. From this meeting grew the Shepherd Wellness Community – a supportive community for people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. The first dinner was held in October 1987, and the tradition of nourishing meals accompanied by wellness

programs and social support continues to this day. A concerned group sitting around a kitchen table has become the only HIV/AIDS community in Western Pennsylvania.

SERVICES PROVIDED