The Steelers have taken part in the NFL's social justice platform, Inspire Change, since its inception in 2017, and for the fourth straight year the league is presenting an Inspire Change Changemaker Award, which recognizes an individual from every NFL city who is making a difference in their communities through social justice work, either individually or as part of a non-profit organization through education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.
The recipient of the Steelers Inspire Change Changemaker Award for 2025 is Tim Smith, the CEO and founder of Center of Life in Pittsburgh's Hazelwood neighborhood. Center of Life, which was founded in 2001, serves Hazelwood and the surrounding communities with numerous programs, including rich academic out-of-school programs and experiences in music and art.
"It means a lot," said Smith, who was surprised by punter Corliss Waitman with the honor. "I wasn't expecting this. This is a complete surprise.
"I'm humbled. I feel like I only do my part. Nobody can do everything by themselves. I always say many hands make life the heavy load.
"So, there's many hands working here at Hazelwood and Center of Life that are doing everything they can to lift up every single person who is living in this community, as well as some of the other zip codes that we serve around the region. So, I just do my part."
Their work goes well beyond that. The organization's goal is to give people the tools they need to succeed in life, while also leading to the economic revitalization of Hazelwood and similar communities that face generational and economic discrimination. Smith wants to provide those who the organization serves with a sense of belonging, significance and security,
Smith, and the other 31 winners, will receive a $10,000 donation courtesy of the NFL Foundation for their charity. Smith will also be honored at the Steelers Inspire Change game on Dec. 15 against the Miami Dolphins.
Smith is someone who has had an impact on the community long before he founded Center of Life, with his contributions dating back to the 1980s. Known as 'PT' (short for Pastor Tim), Smith always had a desire to help those in the neighborhood, especially when he saw the community losing young people at an alarming rate.
"There was a huge void," said Smith. "I was burying kids, probably every four to five weeks. I was doing a funeral right here in this church. It was boys between the ages of 14 and 26. That part I remember. I thought, I'm burying kids that are younger than me. It was really such a need to create something that Center of Life was born. We began to serve."
Smith is a life-long Pittsburgh resident who attended Westinghouse High School, the University of Pittsburgh and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He also worked as an investment banker and National Youth Network Coordinator allowing him to lead the organization on all fronts.
His work with the Center of Life, though, has connected him to the community and a neighborhood he loves.
"Everything is about people," said Smith. "The people (in Hazelwood) are my professors and Hazelwood is the university."
Center of Life currently operated out of a small church in Hazelwood that his father once led. His 'Everything is about People' approach has the organization working on a new facility in Hazelwood Green, where they can expand their services and those they serve.
