Who We Are

For 125 years, Holy Family Institute has faced changing times with flexibility, creativity, and above all, compassion. That care for our local community is put into practice each and every day in our six community programs. The services and supports provided are diverse – meeting families where they are to face the challenges of living in today’s society.

The Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is a partnership with Duquesne Light Company that serves nearly 40,000 households each year. The dedicated team works with low- and fixed-income clients to coordinate access to utility assistance and other basic needs. “CAP ensured that we had a safety cushion until we could take it back over,” said one client. CAP offices serve as a safe space for community members to find caring case managers with broad knowledge of their neighborhood’s resources.

Holy Family Specialized Learning (HFSL) is a licensed private academic school focused on supporting students with unique academic and behavioral challenges. Students at HFSL have Individualized Education Programs that foster constructive behavior, academic growth, and emotional resilience. The school’s goal is to give students the tools necessary to succeed academically, socially, and professionally so that they can transition back to their home school districts. In the first semester of this school year alone, five students accomplished this goal with the support of HFSL staff.

In-Home Family Services aim to keep families together and provide the support needed to address significant challenges and meet goals for reunification. One family entered the program in the final stages of Termination of Parental Rights (TPR). After working with In-Home and Visit Coaching counselors, the judge ordered reunification and dismissed the TPR.

Parents and Children Together (PACT) provides a unique approach to truancy, involving the whole family in a structured program to identify and tackle the obstacles preventing the child from attending school regularly. “PACT was very encouraging and supportive at appointments, always following up with me to make sure I have what I need,” said one PACT client.

SNAP® (Stop Now and Plan) is another program that recognizes the value in involving the whole family when addressing a child’s behavioral challenges. SNAP® counselors meet with parents and children in individual and group sessions to teach evidence-based techniques for managing emotions and controlling behaviors. Last year, SNAP® team members completed nearly 3,000 hours of counseling.

Visit Coaching is a lifeline for families navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. With supportive coaching sessions, parents learn skills and gain confidence to maximize visitation time and work toward reunification with their children. Last year, 48 families were served in the Visit Coaching program.

For more than a century, Holy Family Institute has been proud to serve the greater Pittsburgh community. Over the years, the organization has expanded, and our reach is broader than ever. But the children and families surrounding our home in Emsworth will always be important to serving our mission. We are dedicated to reaching those in our community who are in need of compassionate assistance to build a strong, resilient family.