fresh start: Why we invest and partner

WHY WE INVEST

The dust was flying and the sounds of hammers and saws were heard throughout the building as electricians climbed ladders to install wiring throughout the building.

Guests donned safety helmets to walk the space as it slowly moved from a 1980s Christian education building to a state-of-the-art warm space to host individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

The original walls were torn down to make way for a new floor plan.
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The bustle of boxes moving, elevator doors opening, and furniture being assembled was very present in February 2024. It was go time; the space cleaned and ready to move in. It was exciting and scary as we were creating something new with many unknowns.

GIVE TODAY

The technology in the building is advanced, with high resolution cameras throughout and doors that the staff are able to unlock with their cell phones remotely. Our guests have rooms with bunk beds, new cookware, new ovens and microwaves. The laundry room is outfitted with shelving and new washer and dryers.

So why was this investment made?

Each year Lebanon County Christian Ministries’ Fresh Start Emergency Shelter & Resource Center provides safe housing for over 130 people.
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This space provides a single location where people can do life together, engage with staff in case management, and sleep in a safe and secure space. This reduces movement, time pressure, and provides space for children to rest when ill, and much more. The space could be summed up in one sentence: “It provides a sense of community.”

WHY WE PARTNER

Merriam-Webster defines partnerships as “a relationship resembling a legal partnership and usually involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities.”

In March, LCCM launched our partnership with Wellspan Health and their ARCHES program.

ARCHES supports individuals who are ready for discharge from the hospital, but may have barriers to entry in the community.

This might include no housing, unstable housing, or housing that is not appropriate for healing.
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LCCM is providing two beds for Wellspan and Wellspan is providing financial support to LCCM.

This financial support is a huge help in ensuring the FRESH Start program exists long-term.

Partnership is a biblical principle.

We have a partnership with God and people. People are social beings, designed for community.

An absolute win for our shelter guests, our ARCHES guests, and our team is to watch the community grow inside of our walls, which we believe will extend into the next phase of housing for our guests.
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These partnerships are healthy relationships with boundaries and structure, specifically designed to encourage wellness in both physical and emotional health.