Westminster, through our Outreach Commission, has supported Open Hand Ministries for many years. This support is oriented to long-term change as Open Hand (OHM) contributes to making Pittsburgh a just city for all. Why is this important to Westminster? Justice is a critical concept in over 20 Bible references, such as Isaiah 30:18 that states that “the Lord is a God of justice,” as well as many other Bible verses instructing Christians to stand up against injustice and love others with our words and actions.

The major injustice that OHM seeks to address is home ownership in Pittsburgh’s East End, where Black families own significantly fewer homes. Studies show that owning a home is the primary way Americans build wealth. This difference in the number of White versus Black families who own homes thus results in a stark difference in family wealth. In the 2019 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, it was found that White families have the highest level of median family wealth: $188,200. Black and Hispanic families have considerably less wealth than White families. Black families' median wealth is less than 15 percent of White families, at $24,100. This is important to know, but how can this injustice be addressed?

It is common to look at organizations and missions our church supports through a single lens, like thinking of SHIM as providing food pantries. Widen the lens and we understand that SHIM is youth programs, job help, a back-to-school program, community gardens, parent education, and much more. Similarly, Open Hand Ministries is probably known mostly to those who have volunteered there as house renovation. This is one aspect, essential to their work of doing real estate acquisition and rehabilitation while adhering to high energy and quality standards that result in affordable homes.

The bigger picture is that OHM helps families go from surviving to thriving. It does so by empowering Black families in Pittsburgh to build multi-generational wealth through improved financial management skills, with support on the path to achieving their financial goals.

Wealth building through homeownership has been the result for 16 families who have purchased their first house through OHM’s program. These families can now use their financial skills and home equity to benefit themselves and future generations. To support families on their way to owning a home, OHM also has transitional rental apartments that offer a stable place to live at a below-market rental rate in the East End. OHM saves part of the families’ rent payments in escrow for closing costs.

Not all families in OHM’s family development program pursue homeownership. Six or more in the last few years have opened businesses; others have bought a car, or pursued education goals by going back to college or finishing academic degrees. Achieving life goals is broader than owning a home and OHM opens doors to social capital and trusting relationships to embolden and build confidence for families to take action. Thirty families are opening doors to social capital to work on financial and other goals. Perhaps the greatest aspect of OHM has been the creation of a caring community that is multi-age, multiracial, and interfaith, and that works across the racial and socio-economic divide. It is pretty remarkable, and requires constant effort to combat the divisions that are common in American life. OHM stands against these divisions and demonstrates what a caring community can achieve.

If you wish to help this ministry, consider any of the following:

• Volunteer to assist with preparing/serving/cleanup the Tuesday evening OHM Teamworks meals on the first and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The meals and meetings are held in Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty.
• OHM families don't always have an opportunity to do things like Phipps or the Zoo, or visit Carnegie museums, so if anyone has a connection for tickets or can provide tickets, that would be exciting.
• Volunteer at the OHM first Saturday construction volunteer workdays. Sign up on their website in the “How to Help” tab.

– Will Hignett