Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award
Nominations are CLOSED!
The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award recognizes residents of the Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland who exemplify the ideals of a “good neighbor” – people who are compassionate, friendly, and helpful; willing volunteers; organizers of neighborhood events; and individuals who devote their time, talents, and resources to making their neighborhood a better place to live. The award is named in honor of Sister Susan Welsh, RSM, former president and CEO of Pittsburgh Mercy, a founding board member, and a current board member of the McAuley Ministries Foundation. The award is presented annually to two recipients – one young adult (ages 18–39) and one adult (ages 40 and older) – who are recognized at a special ceremony at the Sisters of Mercy Convent and each receive a $5,000 award.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The nominee must have a proven track record of devoting his or her time, talents, and resources to make their neighborhood a better place to live.
- The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual resident who is working at the grassroots level to make a positive difference for his /her/ their neighbors and community, beyond their day-to-day work responsibilities. The award is not intended for businesses or organizations.
- Pittsburgh Mercy, Bethlehem Haven, and McAuley Ministries board and staff members are ineligible for the award and are not permitted to nominate family members.
- Presidents, CEOs, and executive directors of community-based organizations are ineligible for the award and are not permitted to nominate family members.
- The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award and a cash prize will be awarded on an annual basis during the month of November. Any tax liabilities associated with the award must be assessed and borne by the award recipient.
- McAuley Ministries Foundation reserves the right to refuse entries that do not meet the eligibility criteria and nomination instructions. Entrants giving false or misleading information will be excluded or the award forfeited (if known post award).
How to enter:
- The letter of nomination should not exceed three pages:
-
- Please describe your relationship to the nominee. Include the personal knowledge that you have of the nominee’s qualifications for the award.
- Using specific examples, describe how the nominee has had a positive impact on his/her/their neighbors and community. Describe any actions this person has taken that go above and beyond his/ her/their work responsibilities and other efforts in the community.
- Include at least one additional support letter from a member of the community.
- Nominations for residents under the age of 18 must include documentation of parental approval (on the attached nomination form).
- The nomination must include the completed form.
Please note that we recommend not disclosing the nomination to the resident until he/she/they is selected. During the notification process, the awardee has the choice to accept or decline the award.
Please submit completed nomination via email or mail by Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. to:
Marisol Valentin, Executive Director
McAuley Ministries Foundation
3333 Fifth Avenue, Convent of Mercy
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
MValentin@mcauleyministries.org
412-578-6223
Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award Recipients
2024 Ms. Sauntee Turner & Mr. Jordan Morris
2023 Mrs. Sheila S. Petite & Mr. Nyabingi Michie
2022 Ms. Brenda Tate
2021 Ms. Ann Adams Simms
2020 Mr. Christopher R. Roach, Jr.
2019 Ms. Edna Council