Doreen 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.

Darryl Wiley

Darryl T Wiley was born, raised and educated in Newark, NJ. He came to Pittsburgh, PA in 1988 and attended the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Darryl’s desire to help improve the lives of children began over 19 years ago while in college and since that time he has worked to improve the lives of children in various capacities. He has worked with youth in the areas of mental retardation, 'at-risk' youth in college bound programs, former gangs members, and many others.

He has worked with youth and families as a Program Coordinator, Family Counselor, Director of Business Development, Instructor, Trainer, Lecturer, Entrepreneur, and Volunteer.

As an Entrepreneur he has owned a screen printing company, MY MAN Printing/Team NEVA Apparel for 12 years which he uses as tool of to teach and introduce youth to Entrepreneurship.

Since beginning his work with youth in 1990 he has received several awards/recognitions including the Black Action Society’s Martin, Malcolm, Marcus Award, NFTE’s Teacher of the Year award, and the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s Communicator of the Year award. In 2009 he continues his work by founding the Legacy Empowerment Program for teen males, continues his volunteer work of donating blankets and clothing to the homeless, and organizing the Annual Team NEVA Ride 4 Peace event.

Darryl's experience is well rounded and speaks directly to the type of leader needed to serve the young men of our community.

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.

Wm. Jevon Rushton

William Jevon Rushton, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa, and has had the opportunity to serve both his community and this city in various ways.

Most noted for his skill on the drums, and his work in the art form of music with Pittsburgh's jazz community and abroad. Wm. Jevon also serves as the primary drum instructor at The Judah Project here in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2006-2007 he served as the Youth Director for The Judah Project in Washington, D.C.

He began working with elementary school youth in an after school setting 3 years ago, and has had the pleasure of serving as a teacher at The Pittsburgh Project. Wm. Jevon believes in empowering youth of all ages, for the future.

Wm. Jevon serves the youth of The SHORE Project by using his unique communications skills to seek out businesses, and partners in the community who will commit to providing mentoring internships and jobs, on the level of excellence that the project requires.