Shepherd Wellness Community
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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.
10/01/2026
Our Red Ribbon Benefit: A Community Cabaret is ✨one week✨ from today!
Get ready to be wowed! Jesse Factor will grace our stage once again with a performance from "In The MetaMarthasis," Jesse’s studied synthesis of the “High Priestess of Modern Dance” (Martha Graham) and the “Queen of Pop” (Madonna): a celebration of rigor, excess, devotion, and diva. Part modernist archive, part pop-culture pageantry, part drag extravaganza – completely fabulous.
There's still time to buy your tickets and enjoy an evening of music, dance, fashion, and food while supporting our wellness meals and programs for our members living with HIV/AIDS.
(studio photo by Anita Buzzy Prentiss / photos from last year's Red Ribbon Benefit by Kristy Olivia Photography)
09/29/2026
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as we proudly present the Red Ribbon Benefit: A Community Cabaret with the one and only Vaughn Hudspath, aka Mr. Entertainment👨🎤, as our charismatic co-host! Join us for an evening of music, dance, fashion, food, and shared community in support of helping our members living with HIV/AIDS improve their wellness. With Vaughn's infectious energy and charm, this is an event you won't want to miss!
09/23/2026
We are pleased as punch that Dixie Surewood is returning to the Red Ribbon Benefit stage as a co-host and performer for our Community Cabaret on Thursday, October 8th! 💃 Get your tickets today for an evening of entertainment and community as we celebrate 39 years of helping people with HIV/AIDS improve their wellness.
(photos from last year's Red Ribbon Benefit by Kristy Olivia Photography)
09/19/2026
Shepherd Wellness Community is pleased to welcome Chef Slade Mankins to our staff team and Community!
Slade brings 25 years of experience working in respected establishments as a Chef and Culinary Leader in Pittsburgh, Virginia, California, and Maryland. He brings a commitment to high-quality, nutritious meals prepared with a focus on teamwork and collaboration. The dinner he recently prepared for SWC members as a chef candidate was well received and enjoyed.
We are grateful to have him on board and look forward to his culinary creations prepared with a commitment to caring for our members through our wellness dinners.
Welcome to SWC, Slade!
09/18/2026
On National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, we are pleased to announce that we will honor Dr. Deb McMahon at this year’s Red Ribbon Benefit on October 8 for her distinguished career serving the HIV-positive community in Western Pennsylvania.
Dr. McMahon has dedicated her career to caring for people living and aging with HIV/AIDS in Pittsburgh through UPMC’s PACT Clinic and internationally through the Catholic University of Mozambique’s healthcare programs. Before her retirement in 2026, she worked tirelessly and humbly to ensure that her patients living with HIV/AIDS had access to comprehensive primary HIV care. We hope you will join us at our Red Ribbon Benefit to celebrate her exceptional service to the HIV-positive community.
09/16/2026
We had a grand ol' time with 412Step at our Vintage Hoedown last Friday! What a fun way to raise $1,142 to help people living with HIV/AIDS improve their wellness! Thank you, thank you to all the people who made this event happen (looking at you Ken Ho), showed up to line dance, and get a baked good or two. Until next time...
09/15/2026
Our tradition is to honor individuals who have served Shepherd Wellness Community and the HIV/AIDS community. This year at our Red Ribbon Benefit on October 8th we will be honoring Bill Friedlander for his service to Shepherd Wellness Community!
Bill started volunteering with SWC during the days of our dinners at First United Methodist Church, donating his time and talents, along with turkeys and cakes for our Friday dinners. He has served on our board and works with our finance and development team. His service to SWC has made it possible for us to continue providing for our members. Join us as we celebrate him next month!
09/14/2026
There's so much happening at Shepherd Wellness Community this week! Click the link to see what's going on.
http://eepurl.com/gw_H5Xrz5h
09/04/2026
Break out your dancing shoes at join 412Step this coming Friday in supporting Shepherd Wellness Community at a Vintage Hoedown! Inspired by 90s fundraisers held by the group Horse of a Different Color, come together for an unforgettable night of line dancing and refreshments. We hope to see you there! 🌵
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4800 Sciota Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15224
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