Issuu

A Beacon of Hope

Impact Report

Letter from the CEO

I have said a few times that I believe if Jesus were to fly into Erie, the Erie City Mission would be his first stop. We see time and again where Jesus went out of his way to eat and spend time with hurting, struggling, and forgotten individuals—from the lepers and the blind man to the Samaritan woman at the well. He was drawn to those who needed help. His response to the Pharisees who challenged Him on eating with sinners was, “…Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32

A beautiful story of reconciliation was brought to my attention recently. Our homeless encampment outreach team was visiting a site by the railroad tracks and noticed a new dwelling. As they called out to see if there was anyone there, a man crawled out, dirty, broken, and addicted. One of the outreach team volunteers, who was a retired middle school science teacher, asked the man his name. They soon discovered that our volunteer had taught this man in fifth grade over 40 years ago. Their conversation, prayers, and help that day marked the beginning of his journey toward healing.

This man’s story is just one example of why we remain committed to meeting people right where they are—whether in encampments, at our facility, or in our learning center. The Mission is open 365 days a year to serve, love, and challenge those who are caught in cycles of addiction, homelessness, and hunger. It is our hope that each individual experiences the person of Jesus who loves them and has given us the privilege of serving them.

As we continue this work, God is multiplying these moments of hope and life transformation. In this year’s impact report, you will meet three individuals and read about their journeys while at the Mission. You will also see how we are expanding capacity to serve through our objectives to engage homeless encampments, create a robust learning center for our residents, and secure funding for a new facility for women and children in crisis.

The statistics and financial details in this report reflect the scope of our ministry, but as a sign in my office reminds me: “Remember it’s about People.” Behind every number is a story like the man by the railroad tracks—a life being transformed by the love of Christ through your faithfulness. Many thanks to our donors, churches, foundations, businesses, board members, staff, and volunteers who make these encounters possible.

Brian R. Johansson, MPA Chief Executive Officer

Brian R. Johansson, CEO

Serena’s Journey

As a child, Serena always knew she was going to be a Broadway actress. She could sing all the songs and knew the moves to all the dances—she was ready to take the stage for her very first musical. Then COVID-19 hit. Serena’s world went deafly quiet and her dream of being on the big stage was replaced with fear.

“It was such a surreal experience to feel like I had lost all passion and motivation for what I had loved previously,” she remembers. “I got depressed and anxious…I felt lost.”

Seeking a creative, faith-based program that could reconnect her daughter’s creativity with purpose, Serena’s mother introduced her to Urban University, an after-school servant-leadership program. Serena joined the program as a shy 16-year-old hoping to build confidence and learn new skills.

“I was nervous,” she says, “but I remember thinking, wow—they are really interested in how I view things, and in who I am.” Through classes in leadership, art, and communication, Serena began to grow—not just in her talents, but in how she related to others. “Those were things my mother had taught me, but at Urban University I learned them on a new level,” she explains. “I learned how to connect with my peers, how to be a friend, and how to trust myself to try new things.”

Urban University became a turning point. Serena discovered that servant-leadership could look like kindness, that faith could be expressed through art, and that growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. After graduating from high school, she returned to Urban University as a summer intern and art instructor, mentoring students in the same space that once changed her life.

Now a junior at Mercyhurst University, she continues to create, teach, and give back. “Urban University helped me become who I am,” she says. “It showed me that the gifts God gave me were meant to be shared—and that’s what I want to keep doing.”

Jeremiah’s Journey

Jeremiah will never forget the decisions he made in his darkest moments of addiction. He burned every bridge, hurt everyone who loved him, and stole from the aunt who refused to give up on him. When he found himself ready to steal his aunt’s tax refund for the second time, something inside him finally broke. The hard truth of that moment ultimately convinced him that he needed help.

“I was tired of trying to get ten dollars every day just to feel better, just to not be sick,” he recalls.

Desperate, Jeremiah picked up the phone and made a call to a detox facility. Twentyone days there gave him a foothold, but it was one more phone call—to the Erie City Mission—that changed everything. Two days later, he had a bed in the New Life Program for Men.

The transformation of his life was slow but steady. “It wasn’t just one moment,” Jeremiah says. “It was the whole program—the Christian foundation, the people who cared, the tough love, the guidance. It really is a new life.”

His counselor helped him work through deep trauma and see what kind of man he could become—someone who could be a husband, a father, and a leader. With staff and mentors encouraging him to grow, Jeremiah began to see the transformation in himself.

When Jeremiah graduated the program in 2016, he walked away whole. Today, he has what he always dreamed of—a restored relationship with his mother, a loving family of his own, and the peace that comes from knowing he is living with purpose.

“That’s all I ever wanted—a family. And now I have it.”

Now 10 years in recovery, Jeremiah continues to give back, quietly mentoring others, recognizing in their struggles the man he used to be. “If the program hadn’t entered my life, I would be dead. Plain and simple,” he says. “But God had a different plan for me.”

Brenda’s Journey

When Brenda found herself in county jail again, she knew something had to change. "I prayed to God and said it would be my last time that I'd get arrested," she recalls. "I was just going to keep getting arrested. And I didn't want that for my life anymore."

During her darkest days, Brenda was using needles regularly and felt completely disconnected from life. "I didn't care if I was alive or dead," she says. She had pulled away from her family, especially from her beloved niece. But when she found herself in jail again, she realized how much she wanted to be present for her family and show them she could be different.

While serving her sentence, Brenda participated in recovery programs and upon release, with the help of a counselor, transitioned to the New Life Program for Women at Grace House. "I knew this would be the right place for me—to actually do what I needed to do and become a better person for myself," she says.

At first, Brenda kept her distance from others, carrying the isolation of her past with her. But over time, she let people in, especially staff members who extended grace during difficult moments. "It changed who I was," she shares. "I became a lot better of a person because they showed me grace and forgiveness."

Through classes, devotions, counseling, and community, Brenda learned how to rebuild her life—step by step. Now, nearly three years in recovery, she has rebuilt the relationships addiction once destroyed.

Today, Brenda looks ahead with hope. She is connected with her sister and nieces, collects beach glass with her sponsor, and works a steady job. She recently earned her driver’s license and is working toward her GED. In addition to all of this, Brenda’s mother was able to see her transformed, healthy and thriving, before she passed away in January of 2025. This memory with her mom will live on as an especially precious gift of her sobriety.

Board of Directors

Rev. Malcolm Beall, Jr., Chairman, Associate Pastor, Federated Church

Tera Alabran, Director of Operations, PSN Labs, LLC

Honorable Marshall J. Piccinini

Albert Ganzer, Jr., Vice-Chairman, Retired, Business Owner

Jeff Evans, VP, USI Insurance Services

Joseph Smith, Project Manager, E.E. Austin & Sons

Greg Paulding, Treasurer, CPA, Paulding & Associates

Alan Hamilton, VP, Wabtec Corporation

Natalie Washburn, Owner/Broker, Maleno Real Estate

Senior Leadership

Brian R. Johannson, Chief Executive Officer

Katie Beer, Director of HR & Grant Compliance

Daniel Bousquet, Director of Social Enterprise

Gregory Bousquest, Director of Men’s Ministries

RoseMarie Croce, Director of Youth Ministries

Kathy Griffith, Secretary, Retired, Erie Insurance

Prof. Dr. Joseph Kuvshinikov, Gannon University

Brian R. Johansson Chief Executive Officer, Erie City Mission

Jonathan Gibbs, Director of Finance

Jodie Krumpe, Director of Women’s Ministries

Erin Layden, Director of Development

Jael Norman Lippert, Director of the Learning Center

Sandell Snyder, Director of Operations

By the Numbers

1,364 neighbors regulary served throughout the year

136,870 meals served to men, women, and children

103 men and women obtained employment

170 men and women obtained stable housing

129,866 lbs of food distributed

398 homeless encampment visits

39,597 nights of refuge

18,890 emergency showers

238 youth impacted

27 gradautes of the New Life Program

3,911 hours of programming and mentoring in Urban University

73 men and women received 570 hours of education in the Learning Center

567 men served in Samaritan Care Shelter

104 men and women served in the New Life Program

18,294 volunteer hours contributed

2025 Financials

Expenses $4,576,951

*Fiscal year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. These numbers are unaudited and do not yet include Depreciation. We receive an annual independent financial audit at the end of every year. **Thrift Stores/Donation Center and other programs

Broadway by the Bay

The Erie City Mission began a new tradition this past May with the inaugural Broadway by the Bay, a signature fundraiser that brought Broadway talent to Erie’s historic Warner Theatre. More than 750 guests gathered for an evening that celebrated the arts while supporting our vision to expand critical services for women and children in crisis. What unfolded was more than a successful first event—it was the beginning of something special for our community.

Broadway veteran Ivan Rutherford, celebrated for portraying Jean Valjean in Les Misérables over 2,300 times on Broadway and national tours, graced the stage as the evening’s special guest. Accompanied by Erie Philharmonic pianist Nick Weiser, Ivan captivated the audience with beloved selections from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, and West Side Story. The theatre filled with energy as guests sang along, sharing in both laughter and tears throughout the performance. The evening concluded with a standing ovation and Ivan’s heartfelt promise to return.

Beyond the entertainment, Broadway by the Bay served a vital purpose: raising critical funds to expand our services for women and children in crisis. Through a special film presentation, we shared our strategic vision to build a new facility that would provide low-barrier shelter beds, while also increasing our available beds for women in our New Life Recovery Program. This expansion addresses Erie’s growing need for comprehensive support for women and children facing housing challenges and seeking recovery from substance abuse.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our sponsors, donors, and guests, Broadway by the Bay raised a record-breaking $210,000 toward making this vision a reality. We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors whose commitment made this evening possible. The success of this inaugural event, combined with a transformational three-milliondollar gift, has launched us toward our goal of providing life-changing services to more women and children in need.

We’re thrilled to announce that Ivan Rutherford will return to the Warner Theatre this coming May—this time bringing one of his Broadway friends for what promises to be another spectacular evening. Broadway by the Bay has established itself as more than a fundraiser, it’s become a celebration of our community’s compassion and commitment to helping those in crisis rebuild their lives.

Save the date for Broadway by the Bay 2026, Thursday, May 21, and join us in continuing this beautiful tradition of hope.

Vision in Action

One year ago, in October 2024, our CEO presented a bold, board-approved three-year strategic plan for the Erie City Mission. After extensive research into the needs of our residents and the broader Erie community, we committed to three transformative objectives. Today, we’re seeing that vision become reality.

Education and Job Training

Through the generosity of several donors, we launched the Mission’s Learning Center in February of 2025, serving both current New Life Program residents and graduates. In less than a year, 73 men and women have received 570 hours of comprehensive support: 44 residents received educational assessments to identify their learning needs and goals, 60 obtained critical identification documents, 12 residents are actively working toward their GED, with three already earning their diplomas, 64 hours were dedicated to reading remediation, and 30 individualized resumes were created to help job seekers present themselves confidently to employers. Our progress in this objective is more than just statistics—they’re stepping stones toward self-sufficiency and hope.

Coordinated Outreach to Homeless Encampments in Erie County

Our trained staff and volunteer teams have made 398 visits to 14 encampments sites across Erie County, engaging 96 homeless individuals—28% of them women—with immediate care and pathways to help. Most significantly, 10 individuals were removed from encampments and secured shelter or housing through our intervention. This consistent presence demonstrates our commitment to meeting people where they are and offering them immediate support.

A Facility for Women and Children in Crisis

We have identified $4.6 million in funding, including a transformational $3 million gift that launched this initiative. We’ve partnered with a local, women-led architectural firm and are actively evaluating sites. As we continue fundraising and planning, we recognize that buildings and blueprints cannot create transformation. Only through God’s provision and power will this facility truly address the critical gap in services for our community’s most vulnerable. A committee of women has joined together in prayer for this facility, faithfully interceding that God will provide the funding needed, and ultimately transform the lives of the women and children who will find refuge here.

Any effective strategic plan must be simple, measurable, and relevant, meeting real needs with tangible results. Our board and leadership team have embraced this vision, and the impact is undeniable: lives are being changed. This is our vision in action, and with your continued partnership, we will see even greater transformation in the years ahead.