Ashley Cabiness is Leading Pittsburgh In Employment and Tranisition Initiatives

Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, who never minces words, had nothing but praise to offer about 2025 New Pittsburgh Courier Fab 40 honoree Ashley Cabiness.

“In a world where everyone’s fighting and there’s so much anger and meanness going on, she’s one of those people that wants to bring people together,” Councilwoman Kail-Smith said.

She wasn’t done.

“(Cabiness) always calls people and looks for ways to work together. The things that she does for the community is amazing, and just her presence alone in the community has been such a blessing to so many of us.”

Ashley Cabiness, left, with her proclamation from Pittsburgh City Council, Oct. 14, DEMIA TYLER 2025. Also pictured is Cabiness’ daughter, Amirah Jetter.

Cabiness is the program manager for South Pittsburgh A.C.T.E.S., or Achieving Change Through Transitional Employment Services. She’s also the co-founder of Westside CARES, a community organization designed to support civic and social events and promote safer and healthier communities. Westside CARES also has supported a range of community initiatives, including youth job training, free tax assistance for young adults, neighborhood block parties, transportation to events and food banks, and services for seniors.

It’s been Cabiness’ calling to make her communities better.

Ashley Cabiness Holds Her Proclamation From Pittsburgh City Council, Standing Next To Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith And Her Daughter, Amirah Jetter.

That’s why Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed Oct. 14, 2025 as “Ashley Cabiness Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. She received a proclamation from Council, as her family and friends were there to witness this historic day for her.

In an exclusive interview, Oct. 28, Cabiness told the Courier that as she looked for resources living in Sheraden, those resources were hard to find. After all, she was a mother of four. She soon learned that the resources were there, it was just the lack of a connection to the resources that was the real problem. That’s primarily why she co-founded Westside CARES.

These days, people on the West End call her, and she connects them to resources, such as child care, food, etc.

“I have that ‘comfort face,’” Cabiness, 37, told the Courier. “People just spill all their problems to me, and at first it used to overwhelm me. But now, it’s satisfying to know that people feel comfortable and trust me enough to just come to me. I learned to be comfortable with just being that healer, that support.” community organization designed to support civic and social events and promote safer and healthier communities. Westside CARES also has supported a range of community initiatives, including youth job training, free tax assistance for young adults, neighborhood block parties, transportation to events and food banks, and services for seniors.

It’s been Cabiness’ calling to make her communities better.

That’s why Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed Oct. 14, 2025, as “Ashley Cabiness Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. She received a proclamation from Council, as her family and friends were there to witness this historic day for her.

In an exclusive interview, Oct. 28, Cabiness told the Courier that as she looked for resources living in Sheraden, those resources were hard to find. After all, she was a mother of four. She soon learned that the resources were there, it was just the lack of a connection to the resources that was the real problem. That’s primarily why she co-founded Westside CARES.

These days, people on the West End call her, and she connects them to resources, such as child care, food, etc.

“I have that ‘comfort face,’” Cabiness, 37, told the Courier. “People just spill all their problems to me, and at first it used to overwhelm me. But now, it’s satisfying to know that people feel comfortable and trust me enough to just come to me. I learned to be comfortable with just being that healer, that support.”