For Amanda Vereb, volunteering with The Salvation Army Family Caring Center is not just an act of service. It is deeply personal.

Amanda, now the vice president of Pittsburgh’s Echelon chapter, became involved with Echelon in 2023 after participating in the organization’s “Runway Repurposed” fashion show fundraiser, which raised awareness and critical funds for the Family Caring Center. This center, in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, accepts entire family units, offering shelter and hope for families experiencing homelessness.

After two years participating as a designer and later serving as a judge at the event, Amanda gained a deeper understanding of the Family Caring Center’s mission. She knew she wanted to be more involved in a more meaningful, ongoing way.

“As a survivor of abuse, the mission and work of the Family Caring Center resonates with me on a deeply personal level,” Amanda shared. “What makes this program extraordinary is its commitment to keeping families together during times of crisis.

“In a world where separation is often the default response, the Family Caring Center protects and prioritizes the parent-child bond. Preserving that bond is not only compassionate. It is transformative. It allows children to witness resilience firsthand and gives parents the stability, dignity, and emotional security when it is needed the most.”

Restoring hope

The Family Caring Center has 18 individual rooms with a total of 85 beds for families in apartment-style units allowing families to remain together in a safe, secure environment with three meals a day and specialized programming to help them get back on their feet. The shelter has recently undergone a revitalization project called Renovation Hope. This project transformed the common areas with paint colors, materials, furniture, and design features making the center feel warm and welcoming for all who walk through the doors.

“Through my work with Echelon, I am proud to support a community that does more than provide shelter. It restores hope,” Amanda said. “We actively work to ensure that every parent and child who walks through those doors feels seen, valued, and celebrated. We want them to understand that their current circumstances do not define them, and that they are supported as they move toward a safer, more stable future.”

Echelon gives back

Echelon seeks to mobilize the next generation for The Salvation Army by providing opportunities for emerging professionals to engage with the organization through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising, as well as service and volunteering.

The Pittsburgh Echelon chapter gives back to the Family Caring Center throughout the year. The group has hosted three consecutive back-to-school bashes for students of all ages to enjoy a day of fun while receiving the supplies they need to succeed during the school year. The chapter has also worked to make other holidays special for families by packing Easter baskets and making handmade valentines. Additionally, members have served meals and have made time to clean common areas and spaces.

“It is an opportunity to give back to a space that reflects both the challenges I have overcome and the future I believe every family deserves,” Amanda said. “Having Echelon work so closely with the Family Caring Center, it is a chance to give back in a way that directly supports families as they rebuild for a stronger future.”

Visit salvationarmywpa.org/fcc to learn more about The Salvation Army Family Caring Center. Learn how you can get involved with Pittsburgh Echelon by following the chapter’s updates on Instagram and LinkedIn.