The Beacon, February 2024

The Beacon

February 2024

Hope Bringing to the Streets of Erie

Families and individuals who were already struggling with homelessness are now experiencing critical conditions on our streets, and are desperate for help and hope.

The lives of our homeless neighbors are literally at risk. Winter days and below freezing temperatures are dangerous for the men, women, and children in Erie who have nowhere to go, and no one to care for them.

You’ll be relieved to know the Erie City Mission is already hard at work making sure the guests that enter our doors are welcomed inside, safe and warm. During days like these, when the city and the surrounding area are paralyzed with cold, snow, and ice, we’re providing warm, safe shelter, hot meals, and all the hope in Christ we can share.

Our kitchen staff prepare and serve over 200 hot, nutritious meals to the public for breakfast and lunch daily.

Our staff have been actively walking the railroad tracks and visiting the men and women in their encampments, warning them of upcoming drop in temperatures and encouraging them to come to the Mission to get out of the cold.

The Mission has partnered with the Erie County Home Team to be an warming center on nights when the overflow shelters fill up and neighbors have nowhere to turn. Since opening the warming center, more than 40 men and women have had a safe place to stay during the coldest nights this winter.

120 warm beds are provided to men in our shelter and the men and women in our addiction recovery and aftercare programs.

article continued on back.

Pictured: ECM outreach team at railroad track encampment off of 12th Street.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

My wife and I are honored to lead the Erie City Mission. Since moving to Erie in November of last year, I have noticed a few things about our fair city. First, there is real community here. Neighbors help one another, faith is an important part of the culture, and we have felt very welcomed thank you.

Second, Erie is a generous city. The Mission operates on generosity. It is only through the support of individuals, families, churches, and businesses that we can serve those who come to our doors. You can see the impact of your generosity in our annual report and throughout this newsletter. With 138,000 meals served, 17,000 shelter bed nights, and 56 men and women served in our new life residential programs, people with real needs are receiving practical help through your kindness.

And third, I have been struck by the overwhelming need. I recently accompanied our outreach team as they visited the homeless encampments along the many railroad tracks that run through the city. What I saw reminded me of my time serving the homeless in NYC despair, hopelessness, and life-threatening conditions. It was this observation that led the Mission to partner with the Erie County Home Team and begin a warming center in our facility. When the temperatures are below freezing it is truly a dangerous situation. With the help of volunteers and staff we have offered a respite against the cold. So far we have been able to provide over 40 men and women with emergency extreme weather shelter in addition to our 120 shelter beds and New Life Program beds.

I am so grateful to be part of a city and an organization that lives out what it says in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Upcoming Events

March 14, 2024 -- Pastor’s Meet & Greet

March 14, 2024 -- New Life Program, Men’s Graduation

April 2, 2024 -- Knockout Homelessness 15, Bayfront Convention Center

May 23, 2024 -- New Life Program, Men’s Graduation

August 1, 2024 -- New Life Program, Men’s Graduation

August 5, 2024 -- Erie Gives 2024, Check Donation Deadline

August 6, 2024 -- Erie Gives 2024, Online Giving Day

Visit www.eriecitymission.org for more information on upcoming events.

Erie City Mission Welcomes New Directors to the Board

Two newly appointed directors have joined the Mission Board bringing their unique expertise to the organization.

We welcome both Natalie and Jeff to our Board of Directors and look forward to the fresh perspectives they will bring to the organization and those we serve.

Natalie Washburn, broker/owner of Maleno Real Estate and Maleno Management, brings over two decades of expertise in the real estate industry. A dedicated professional to her company and the community, she actively contributes to the Greater Erie Board of Realtors, having served as president in 2011, and along with her family helped manage the Maleno Family Fund for 13 years.

“The Erie City Mission is a beacon of light and hope in the Erie Community!” Washburn states. “The amazing work that this mission’s team does for people in need on a yearly basis is remarkable. When a board spot opened in 2023 I was very excited and honored to serve. I look forward to working with a group of people that share my core values and Christian principles.”

Jeff Evans is an employee benefits consultant for USI Insurance Services in Erie. With over 15 years of industry experience, he works with employers of all sizes to help them address the critical challenges of cost, compliance, and employee satisfaction associated with their employee benefit programs.

“The Mission’s unwavering dedication to transforming lives through compassion, empowerment and community support resonates deeply with my personal values,” says Evans. “I believe in the power of collective action to drive positive change, and serving on the board allows me to contribute meaningfully to a cause I wholeheartedly believe in.”

Jeff Evans VP, USI Insurance Services

Alan Hamilton VP, Wabtec Corporation

Prof. Dr. Joseph Kuvshinikov Gannon University

Judge Marshall J. Piccinini

County Court of Common Pleas

Matthew Sahlmann

E.E. Austin & Sons

Dr. John Tucker, DMD Tucker Dental Excellence LLC

Benjamin Wilson, Ed. D. Senior Advisor, TPMA

Kathy

The Giving Tree

Millcreek students from Chestnut Hill Elementary presented the Erie City Mission with a generous donation as part of their Chestnut Hill Giving Tree. During the month of December, students collected coins and spare change to support those in their community. Their efforts raised more than $800, proving that by giving together, their spare change could add up to make a big impact for people in need.

The Erie City Mission was honored to be chosen alongside Mercy Center for Women to receive the monies raised. Thank you, Chestnut Hill Elementary students!

Winter Goods Drive Benefits ECM

The Erie City Mission was choosen as the receiving charity for the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (EMTA) first Winter Goods Drive.

From Jan. 15 through Jan. 30, donations were dropped off at the EMTA administration office. EMTA employees and members of the community were encouraged to participate by donating items from the Mission’s needs list. Thank you, EMTA and all those who donated! Your donations help the hundreds of men, women, and children we serve daily. Thank you for making our mission, your mission this winter.

Your Impact in 2023

138,862

17,247

27

50

6

613

16

Our 2023 Annual Report is available now. Inside you’ll see the incredible impact of your generosity. This past year, you helped provide vital resources to individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction, and adversity. Everyone you help serve has a unique story of hope and resilience. You are part of these amazing stories. Thank you for standing with us as we provide help, hope, and lasting transformation to those in need in Erie. Visit our website and read the stories you’ve helped change in this year’s annual report, www.eriecitymission.org/news-and-events/publications.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

This year’s Knockout Homelessness event has been “punched back” to April. Please mark your calendars for our 15th annual exhibition fundraiser on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the Bayfront Convention Center.

As the Erie City Mission continues to serve our most vulnerable neighbors during the cold winter months, we need your support.

Would you pray with us?

Two well-known Erie celebrities have made the decision to step into the ring to take on homelessness and are already training for the big night. Tom Lenox, Erie City Police Lieutenant, and Chuck Nelson, Pastor and City Councilman will go head-to-head against the legendary Bizzarro family to stand up for those in our city experiencing homelessness while raising funds for the Erie City Mission’s emergency shelter program.

Want to join our boxers in the fight against homelessness?

Purchase a ticket or table to attend the big night.

Sponsor the event, purchase an ad, or donate a raffle item.

Donate to our fighters individual crowdfunding campaign and help them reach their fundraising goal.

To join us in the fight, contact Katie Peppers, development associate at (814) 452-4421 x262 and katie.peppers@eriecitymission.org.

Pray for those experiencing homelessness, that they would find shelter from the cold and a safe place to rest this winter.

Spread the word: The Mission’s warming center will open when the temperature and wind chill drops below 20 degrees and the overflow shelters have filled up. During those times, our neighbors will be welcomed into our facility there will be no cots, but guests can sit or sleep on the chairs, and a limited number of snacks, coffee, and necessary warming and personal care supplies will be available.

We need volunteers: If you’re able to volunteer to staff the warming center during the nights we are open, and would like to be on our call list, please reach out to our Development Associate, Katie Peppers, katie.peppers@ eriecitymission.org.

Lastly, your support financially is crucial during this time. Your gifts help us provide more food, warmth, and care during these brutally cold nights, to those who need it most.

Thank you for your support, your prayers, your time, and your gifts. We are able to help our neighbors in need because of you.

Scan the QR codes to the right to donate directly to a fighter’s campaign. Visit our website at www.eriecitymission.org for more information.

29,494

3,061