OUR MISSION

We transform lives through the love of Christ by providing food, shelter and hope to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction

OUR VISION

We are a model community dedicated to providing services to meet the complex and challenging needs of our community’s most vulnerable by creating an environment where life transformation occurs from the inside out through the power of the Gospel

OUR PURPOSE

To provide those we serve hope and life transformation through the love of Christ

OUR VALUES

We Honor God

We honor God’s Presence through practicing Godly disciplines of prayer, confession, sharing of testimonies, and reading God’s Word.

We Love Well

We love each other well by seeking the best interest of both the person and the community. We believe that we are all broken and in need of healing and growth to achieve wholeness.

We Embrace Growth

We seek God’s grace to use innovation and creativity to continually improve program services, administrative processes, policies, and procedures.

We Value Diversity

We value cultural diversity and commit to building a diverse workspace that reflects the clients and community we serve.

OUR STORY

Serving Pittsburgh’s homeless and hurting since 1952

1952

Light of Life opens its doors as a soup kitchen for the first time and expands services to include men’s recovery programming.

1979

Light of Life opens its first emergency shelter on North Avenue to bring safe housing to the homeless men of Pittsburgh.

1989

Light of Life expands services to include women and children’s programming.

2017

Light of Life opens Sister’s House to provide housing for single women.

2018

Light of Life opens a food pantry to serve families and individuals experiencing food insecurity on the North Side of Pittsburgh.

2020

Light of Life opens Voeghtly Street Shelter to expand its emergency services, including its first shelter for women and children.

2022

Light of Life Celebrates 70 years at the Mission.

2023

Ridge Recovery Place opens and becomes the new home for all of Light of Life’s long-term programming.

OUR PEOPLE

Leadership Team

Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam

Executive Director

Doug Smith

Assistant Executive Director

Tamiko Dawkins

Director of Programs

Karl Sauereisen

Director of Human Resources

David Wadsworth

Manager of Men’s Program

Colleen McKerley

Development Manager

Annie Cairns

Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager

Dean Robinson

Shelter Supervisor

Our Board

Board of Directors

GLENN GRANER, CHAIRMAN

K & L Gates – Former CFO/COO, Current Senior Advisor

REBECCA FATICA, VICE-CHAIR

Yadkin Bank – Vice President, Business Development Officer

CHRIS CHANEY, SECRETARY

Fort Pitt Capital Group – Financial Advisor

RACHEL SCHMIEDLIN, TREASURER

Holsinger, P.C. – Audit Manager

Board Members

GASH ABEBE

Veriown

TOM DORAN

Highmark Health Plan – EVP and COO

ROSALYN FREEMAN

MK3 HR Consulting – CEO

RITA HUCKLE

Primerica – National Sales Director

DR. EDWIN J KAIRIS

The Health Plan of West Virginia – Chief Medical Officer

NATALIE KRETER, ESQ.

UPMC Health Plan, Inc. – Assistant Counsel

FALCO MUSCANTE

Duquesne University School of Law - Full-Time Student / The Fairness Center - Part-Time Law Clerk

DEBORAH PATTERSON

Forefront Dermatology – Physician Assistant

LEONARD PETRANCOSTA

Sysco – Retired President (July 2011) Peak Performance Management – COO

DONALD TUCKER

Allegheny Center Alliance Church – Pastor of Pastoral Care

WILLIAM WOLFE

Retired

Honorary Members

DONALD L. FOSTER

Principal at Manor Associates

JOIN THE TEAM

Make a Difference in Pittsburgh

If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a difference,
join us in helping transform the lives of homeless men, women, and children
who walk through our doors.

“Once you walk through the doors at Light of Life, you will never be the same.” – Tunch Ilkin

Available Positions

STAY CONNECTED

Keep informed on the latest news from the Mission and share in the joy of life transformation