Life Changing Is … Lifting Up a Community

Kathleen Stanley, Director of Outreach, Faith United Methodist Church, Sharpsburg

“There’s something about a community that sticks by each other and supports each other.”

Kathleen Stanley grew up in a tight-knit community. This experience helped shape her work at Roots of Faith, a ministry center of the church located in Sharpsburg.

“The vision of Roots of Faith is to build community by reconciling people with God and one another,” Kathleen says. “We came to the community to see what we could do and what needs we could fill.”

Roots of Faith provides vital support for people in need in Sharpsburg. Many people in the area struggle with food insecurity or to pay for rent or other basic necessities.

Recognizing health as another major issue for the Sharpsburg community, Kathleen reached out to UPMC St. Margaret for help. UPMC began holding regular on-site health screenings for people who needed care.

“When we say, ‘building community,’ St Margaret’s and its staff have helped build this community,” Kathleen says. “They’ve helped to change lives.”

Through the partnership, UPMC and Roots of Faith have helped provide crucial medical services to people who need them.

Kathleen points to one example, where an unsheltered man who had leg pain learned he had a life-threatening blood clot. She says UPMC took him to the Emergency Department for care and also helped him get new clothes and a new job.

“Not only did they save his life, but they saved his soul,” Kathleen says. “He had dignity, something he hadn’t had in a long time.”

UPMC is proud to partner with organizations like Roots of Faith to help those in need.

“There’s something about a community that sticks by each other and supports each other,” Kathleen says.

At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means looking out for your neighbors.

Pittsburgh (KDKA): 'Roots of Faith' helping heal hearts and minds but also the body.

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