By Gina Mazza
It’s the kind of story that we may not hear enough of these days, yet need more of—a human interest story that involves someone seeing a small need in the community and rallying others to come together to fill that need.
Tina White, 56, of the South Side is a Victim Resource Coordinator for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging, as part of a federal grant from the Office of Violence Against Women. In this role, she helps victims of various types of abuse and exploitation connect with the resources they may need—whether it’s food, housing, legal aid and the like.
Yet it’s what Tina does in her off hours that sets the stage for how she was able to positively impact the life of one woman, in particular. Tina volunteers at homeless shelters in the county and for an effort called Code Blue, which serves individuals who need emergency shelter in times of inclement weather. One evening this past winter, while working at the Ammons Community Recreational Center on Bedford Avenue in the Hill District, Tina was approached by Alyssa Bauman of resolve Crisis Services, a local behavioral and mental health center that partners with Allegheny County and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital.
“Alyssa explained to me that there was a homeless lady, Patricia, who was unable to make it to the shelter because she is wheelchair-dependent and her wheelchair was not working,” Tina recalls. “The temperature was well below freezing that night, which made me concerned for her. So, I got right on it.”
As part of her outreach, Tina contacted Community Living and Support Services (CLASS), located along South Braddock Avenue. CLASS works with individuals with disabilities by providing services ranging from independent living skills training to community-based case management for social, recreational, and residential supports.
“Once I connected with them, I reached the perfect individual in their tech department who told me that they had a new wheelchair unit that we could use, and that I just needed to come and get it. So, our next challenge that evening was getting the unit to the shelter.
“Thankfully, Alyssa mentioned that resolve has a working relationship with the Pittsburgh Police, and that they have a special vehicle for transporting items. We were able to successfully arrange transportation for Patricia to get to the Ammons emergency shelter, and the police delivered the wheelchair right to the shelter.”
This small act of kindness has made a world of difference in Patricia’s life. “It was a wonderful example of various Allegheny County agencies coming together collaboratively to make something good happen for someone,” Tina comments. “I may have done most of the footwork but I attribute the successful outcome to the combined efforts of all of us.
“It made me feel so fulfilled to do this, just knowing that it was going to help Patricia in many ways to feel more independent, whole, complete. It inspired me to want to continue to do whatever I can to make positive changes in people’s lives.”
Tina’s story reminds us that acts of service have value to both the giver and the recipient, and that we all need a little help at some time in our lives.
“I guess it comes natural to me and it’s a pleasure to do so. It doesn’t feel like work or a burden. I can’t speak for all of us, but anyone, at any time, can be in a homeless situation in less than 14 days. There was a time in my own life when I’ve been in need, so I recognize how it feels when you don’t have what you need, as well as how it feels when you receive it.”