Supporting, strengthening, & sustaining.
A Human Services Agency BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES in Pittsburgh
Our Mission: to Support, Strengthen, and Sustain Families to Build Strong and Safe Communities.
Small Seeds SPROUT INTO Big Dreams
Welcome to Small Seeds, where we sow the seeds of change and growth within our community. Our organization is dedicated to nurturing the potential of individuals and families through a range of programs and services. From our Mother-to-Son Program, which fosters strong family bonds, to our MTS Summer Success Camp, which provides enriching experiences for young African American boys, we strive to empower and support every member of our community. At Small Seeds, we believe in building brighter futures, one seed at a time.
SHARED Guidance for Generations
Join us for the Father and Sons Teaming Together program, a transformative journey designed to strengthen the bond between fathers and their sons aged 10 to 16. Through mentorship, coaching, and engaging activities, we empower these relationships to flourish. Together, we navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and inspire personal growth. Experience the power of connection and guidance on this impactful journey of fatherhood.
A Youth Summit EMPOWERING Change
Join us at the annual African American Strategic Partnership Youth Summit this July for a day-long event aimed at empowering over 600 teens. Through educational and social workshops, talent contests, and motivational speakers, teens aged 12–18 from Allegheny and Washington, PA, counties come together to discuss community issues, enhance critical thinking, and foster self-respect and self-esteem. Join us for a day filled with positivity, growth, and empowerment!
In Loving Memory
of Rev. Dr. James H. McLemore
Please consider making a donation in memory of Dr. McLemore and help us continue his work. >>>
A Founding Vision
When Dr. James H. McLemore, founder of SSDI, came to Pittsburgh in 1996 to pastor the Hill District’s historic Mother Bethel AME Church, he brought with him contagious energy and a plan for stabilizing and strengthening particularly African American families headed by single women in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Challenges and Growth
Spurred by a staggering statistic that placed Pittsburgh second in the nation for single-parent households headed by women, Dr. McLemore set out to provide services and a program to address the unique needs of a population that then constituted nearly 75% of families in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Despite the enormity of the problem, few were taking notice of the plight of these households, most of them African American. Adapting the program model for Mother to Son, which he had operated in Ohio, Dr. McLemore worked closely with members of Bethel AME Church and more than 40 organizations that provided community-based services. With $65,000 in seed money from the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Dr. McLemore and a cadre of committed volunteers first opened for business in a 9’ x 12’ room in Bethel’s basement.
Small Seeds Board Secretary and Bethel Church Trustee Katie Johnson fondly remembers the many eight-hour volunteer days she worked to help build Mother to Son before paid staff members were brought on board.
The immense need for services eventually took Small Seeds beyond Bethel AME Church to other churches, housing projects, and community centers. Funding levels increased, and those leading Small Seeds successfully convinced dozens of community leaders and organizations that single mothers and their sons deserved their attention and intervention. The demand for Small Seeds’ programs and services reached new heights, and its infrastructure grew to include a diverse and professional staff. All of which would never have been possible if not for the love, faith, and hard work of Dr. James H. McLemore. He will be greatly missed.
PROGRAMS FOR MOTHERS AND SONS
The Mother-to-Son Program is where single mothers and female guardians can find support and guidance in fostering strong relationships with their sons aged 6–18. Through family-centered learning and trauma-informed care, we empower participants to understand, adjust, and prioritize their physical, psychological, and personal well-being. Join us in creating a nurturing environment where bonds are strengthened, skills are honed, and futures are shaped.
SummerS of Fun YIELDING Tools for Life
Step into an immersive experience at the MTS Summer Success Camp, crafted for African American boys aged 8–12. Across five weeks, campers delve into outdoor learning, team-building activities, and cultural exploration, fostering resilience, teamwork, and confidence. Engaging in a nurturing environment, they embark on a journey of growth, empowerment, and fun, shaping lasting memories and valuable skills for the future.
Sowing THE Seeds of Ambition
The Small Seeds College Experience Program ignites aspirations by taking boys from grades 6–8 to Penn State University. This transformative journey provides firsthand exposure to college life, inspiring participants to envision their future in higher education. Through immersive campus tours, engaging workshops, and mentorship, we empower young minds to dream big and pursue their academic goals with confidence and determination.
WHO WE SERVE
Our services are focused on supporting children, teens, single parents, families, and schools.
WHAT WE DO
As a Human Services Agency, we are devoted to providing support to build stronger communities.
"Thank you for the time you devoted to my son and thank you for the courage you opened up with him. Thank you for helping him notice the strength in himself and thank you for all of your support and with letting him know that he is fine as he is. I will forever be grateful for the time you spent with him, he has truly grown into more of who he is."
- Mother to Son Program Participant
EMPOWER AND UPLIFT With SMALL SEEDS
Explore opportunities to make a difference in the lives of youth and families with Small Seeds! From youth coach positions providing support and guidance to driver roles ensuring safe transportation, our team plays a vital role in building strong communities. Join us in our mission to empower and uplift families through meaningful work and valuable experiences. Visit our career page to learn more!
Your Generosity Helps SOW SeedS OF Change
Small Seeds is continuing to support children and families in our communities with virtual education programming, social well-being check-ins, essential goods delivery to the immunocompromised, and lunch deliveries to children out of school. Please support these essential services by donating.
When you donate to Small Seeds, you are donating to an organization that has proven to decrease family breakdowns. You are donating not only to the future of the Greater Pittsburgh area but to the future of our state and economy as well.
Send us a check payable to Small Seeds Development, Inc., 6031 Broad Street, Suite 205, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, or use the link below to donate today.
United Way Identification #1249589
Reasons to donate to Small Seeds:
- We help promote healthy family dynamics.
- We empower single mothers and their children.
- We connect families and individuals to community resources and support.
- We help to strengthen families by focusing not just on one individual member but on the whole family unit.
- We foster a sense of belonging and community inclusion for all.
- We inspire young men to reach their full potential.
- We engage in collaboration with other community organizations to ensure wrap-around services.
- We add to & adapt our programs to meet the ever-changing needs of the community.
- We provide teen leadership development services.
- We use financial resources in a responsible way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
If you're looking for specific information about one of our programs or would like to enroll, please contact the corresponding staff member:
Keino Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer
kfitzpatrick@ssdipgh.org
Nathaniel Brown
Director of Programs & Performance
nbrown@ssdipgh.org
Raynesha Hart
Office and Operations Coordinator
rhart@ssdipgh.org
Michelle Weaver
Family Engagement Specialist
mweaver@ssdipgh.org
Jeff Nash
Youth Coach
jnash@ssdipgh.org
Marcus Burkley
Youth Facilitator
mburkley@ssdipgh.org
Gunnar Footh
Educational Youth Facilitator
gfooth@ssdipgh.org
Leave Us Your Info
For general information inquiries, please complete and submit the contact form or email your questions to info@ssdipgh.org
