Contact Information

Doreen L. Upshaw Pinkston

Doreen has been a native of the Northside since 1969, when her family moved to Northview Heights NVH). Doreen graduated from Perry High School, where she met her husband Shawn L. Pinkston. She is the mother of three girls Tamara, Ta'lor and Payton.

She has worked with youth and children since age 14, when she was given an opportunity from the Ernest T. Williams Center in NVH to teach a dance class to kids in the community. She later served as a youth director at that same center, which led to many years of developing programs for youth and serving as a leader in the community.

She served in the Army National Guard for 12 plus years and ended her service career as a Sargeant.

Doreen has a degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Development from CCAC and a BA in Community Ministry from Geneva College. She operated an In Home Family Daycare for five years (wee-Wisdom Childcare) in her home, and was appointed the Childcare Liason for Allegheny County, where she advocated for stiffer certification laws for quality In-Home Childcare facilities. During those years she also assisted in opening 12 or more quality childcares in the North Side community and abroad. She also, facilitated classes on Saturdays to city Childcare Directors for Pittsburgh's Childcare Partnerships Program. In 1998 she was asked to come on full time at the Allegheny Center Church as their Nursery/Childcare Director where she served for eight plus years.

Doreen is a member of Allegheny Center Alliance Church, and has served the church and community in many areas such as speaker, vocalist, youth ministry, children's ministry, trainer and any other capacity she is needed.

Doreen's vision for The SHORE Project is rooted deeply in her love for the North Side community that took her in and gave her opportunities to serve, work, lead and grow at an early age. She is convinced that that need has not changed for youth today.

Charissa Howe

Charissa Howe has been doing youth ministry on the northside of Pittsburgh since 2003 when she went to work in the Student Ministries department at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church. Prior to that, she worked in a large senior health care system and studied in Geneva College's Degree Completion Program for Community Ministry.

Charissa is married to Tim, who also has a heart for our city's young people and has volunteered at a variety of youth organizations on the North Side. They have three children, Alexis (2000), Gloria (2006) and Levi (2008), as well as a houseful of beloved pets. The Howe family calls Mosaic Community Church on North Charles Street their home church.

Charissa is an avid knitter and crocheter, as well as a runner. In her years working with youth, Charissa felt specifically called to mentor young women and help them develop deeper self value, useful life skills and a stronger sense of belonging.

With her love for young woman and this community, The SHORE Project has found a spot on match for empowering the young woman of our community.