WHERE RECIPROCITY CREATES COMMUNITY
The Wellness Collective empowers communities in Southwest PA, through mutual aid, trauma-informed care, and prosocial programming that address critical needs like housing insecurity, resource access, and economic stability. By fostering resilience, equity, and healing, we create opportunities for individuals and families to overcome barriers and build brighter futures. Rooted in care and collective power, we reimagine what is possible when people—not systems—are at the center, strengthening communities where everyone has the chance to thrive.
HOW IT WORKS
1
JOIN THE COLLECTIVE
Becoming a member of TWC mutual aid community is like coming home to family that you can depend on, grow with, help out, and create the future you want to see.
2
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES
Neighbors of this community enjoy the community, camaraderie, and safety net because we acknowledge that we are responsible for one another. Whether we are engaging in sharing and bartering, socializing, organizing around a cause or coming together to support a neighbor in need, we’re in this together.
3
GROW A COMMUNITY
Community is built on mutuality and reciprocity. The more we choose to be in community with one another, the more we are able to grow as individuals, community and society. No more feeling alone in this world. You are home.
GUIDELINES
Funds are made available for services and supports that aid in the establishing and re-establishing of basic needs as defined by Maslow.
FUNDING
Funding for The Collective will be raised through foundation dollars, fundraisers, social enterprise, and memberships.
FUNDING DISTRIBUTION
All incoming funding will be allocated and disbursed through the Community Bank and assigned to a specific branch or “general.”
CO-DIRECTORS
Shanon Williams-Hughes
Founder/Director of Programs & Services
The Wellness Collective is a love project created by Shanon Williams, a long time social worker, activist, and advocate. Over the past 10+ years, Shanon has dedicated herself to the people in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Shanon has raised thousands of dollars for individuals and families in need, supported and created opportunities for countless people. It has been through this heart work that she came to realize need is a matter of access, not availability.
"The resources and support needed is available - we just have to be intentional about helping our fellow neighbors as we would want to be helped ourselves." --Shanon Williams
The Wellness Collective is an act of love and intentionality.
Christopher McAneny
Director of Housing & Development
Chris McAneny, the founder and CEO of Rise and Thrive Development, brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, program creation, and program delivery. Chris was the founder and former Director of 3E Now, a non-profit organization that offered violence prevention education to thousands of teenagers and young adults in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Chris is a certified Dialectical Therapy Skills instructor and has managed family support programs in local homeless shelters. He has created and led college and career support programs for youth facing housing insecurity in Allegheny County.
With a Sustainable Design Certificate from Boston Architectural College, Chris has combined his expertise in architectural design with a deep commitment to social impact.
Throughout his career, Chris has focused on working with trauma-stricken communities, understanding their unique challenges, and developing tailored solutions to meet their basic needs while building pathways for everyone to reach the stars. His extensive experience has equipped him with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and execute housing projects, providing shelter and supporting residents' overall well-being.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Germaine Gooden-Patterson
Owner/Maker/Yoga Facilitator @ Wellness Withn, LLC
Certified Community Health Worker, Women for a Healthy Environment
I am grateful to be on TWC's advisory board. The model of this organization aligns with my personal and professional life where I am able to make an impact on the lives of others in a holistic way.
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FOUNDING BOARD OF ADVISORS
Andre Scott, MSP
Able Vision , LLC
Tammy Thompson
Catapult Greater Pittsburgh
Alyssa Cypher, MPA
Inside Our Minds
Martyia McCray, LRC
Janitorial, LLC
Pierce Robinson
Sarah Cook
Dana Bishop
RootBraddock Carnegie Library Association
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need is the theory of psychological motivation that outlines five major areas of our lives that must be stabilized in order for us to be healthy and successful. The lower tiers (deficiency needs) must be satisfied before the upper-most (growth needs) can be achieved. We should note that we do not support nor do we believe in the bigotry and ablism that Maslow framed much of his work around. The hierarchy of need is simply a tool for guidance with understanding that it is as imperfect as the creator.
