Shepherd Wellness Community

Friday Wellness Dinners

Since its inception in 1987, Shepherd Wellness Community's hallmark within the AIDS service community has been our Wellness Dinners that are open to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Often this is the first place a person will come to seek help after a positive HIV diagnosis or when symptoms of AIDS develop. Individuals come from the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area, surrounding counties, and nearby states.

Many of our members experience loneliness and isolation as a part of their struggle with AIDS. In the safe and supportive atmosphere at our meals, persons are able to form a support network of friends and SWC staff who provide them with guidance and direction, information, encouragement and assistance. This environment also serves as a gateway enabling persons to connect with other AIDS Service Organizations.

Our Community meals have always served as a catalyst enabling SWC to offer other programs and services. A Support Group for HIV positive persons and a Support Group for their loved ones precede each first and third Friday dinner. The congregate meals have also been used as a vehicle for group treatment education presentations, spiritual life programs, social events, and other SWC programs. The informal peer counseling that takes place at our dinners also enables members to share information with each other about their experiences with service providers and medical treatment.

Community groups, churches, synagogues and businesses are involved as sponsors and volunteers at our meals. This personal involvement serves to educate the community at large about HIV/AIDS issues and offers a tangible way to be involved in serving those affected.

Nutritious meals are prepared by Board members, community volunteers, client volunteers, and SWC staff. Because poverty is an issue for many of our members, our dinners are sometimes the most nutritious meals that they receive each week. Leftover food is packaged and taken home by our members, which helps to supplement their nutritional requirements throughout the week. Providing food at SWC programs also helps to increase client attendance and participation. We served over 5,000 in the past year.

For information on upcoming Wellness dinners, please click here. For directions to the Shepherd Wellness Community Center or the First Methodist Church Dinners, click here.

© Copyright 2001 - 2007 Shepherd Wellness Community All rights reserved.
Updated: March 27, 2007
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