The Beacon
February 2025
Bridging the Gap
Helping residents build essential skills for a brighter future
For many, personal priorities and goals give the direction needed to move forward in life and to accomplish dreams. But for those trapped in the cycle of addiction, time often stands still, and typical milestones are set aside—creating a significant gap in educational and vocational growth and development.
This gap in education and job-readiness skills among our residents prompted the Erie City Mission to develop a center on its campus to help men and women overcome these barriers, and gain momentum toward long-term recovery success.
With the help of generous donors, the Erie City Mission opened the new Learning Center in November where men and women enrolled in our New Life Program gain literacy skills, job readiness skills and certifications, identification documentation, and so much more.
Inside the Erie City Mission’s Learning Center
John used his time in the center to begin a self-directed course on how to use the Internet.
“I’ve definitely been learning a lot,” he shares. “It’s nice to have a place that is quiet and away from others to sit down, do work, and job searches.”
The Learning Center, located at our main campus at 1017 French St., serves as that dedicated learning space. Residents spend time weekly in the center as part of their programming, receiving a range of educational experiences through a customized curriculum.
Many of our residents find themselves without adequate education, identifying documents, job skills, and certifications needed to secure and maintain gainful employment.
DID YOU KNOW?
66% of individuals that read below a 4th grade level are more likely to encounter the penal system. (National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, Fast Facts: Adult Literacy)
Upon entering the New Life Program, participants meet with the director to share their learning background and job goals. From there, a plan is co-created to support their journey and the Mission’s goal to help them establish a safe, stable, and ultimately thriving life.
As a senior participant in the New Life Program, John had never used a computer or smart phone before coming to the Mission. With the help of the Learning Center and through the leadership of the center’s director, Jael Norman Lippert,
Since opening, residents have enrolled in GED classes, joined a Reading Circle to build literacy skills, and participated in classes on conflict management, employee expectations, and resume writing. All of these assist in building confidence and practical tools to obtain and maintain gainful employment.
A Message from the Chief Executive Officer
Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Erie City Mission are a time of mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, we have such a wonderful spirit of family and celebration. This holiday season, the men and women in our longterm residential programming were able to celebrate together in a safe and sober environment. They experienced love and belonging that many are not used to.
Our struggling neighbors participated in a new type of celebration here at the Mission. During Thanksgiving and Christmas they were personally served a meal by an army of volunteers. When was the last time our guests were served at a beautifully decorated table, restaurant style? What a sight to see hundreds celebrating together!
On the other hand, our team is dealing with a very cold winter, and they are witness to some tragic situations. With temperatures in the negative digits this January, a man came in with frostbite on his toes. Our warming center has been open to shelter men and women in our chapel and their stories break your heart—a woman who hasn’t seen her children in years due to her addiction, a man who was having a conversation with himself due to his mental health. All these individuals are in addition to the 125 men and women currently occupying our program beds, and these beds have long waiting lists. The need is great.
Our strategic plan, rolled out this past Fall, calls for the building of a new facility to better care for the women and children caught in this cycle of homelessness, addiction, and fear. It is our plan to offer real answers, accountability, and life transformation though this new facility.
As you read this quarter’s newsletter, you will see the outpouring of support from our community during the winter months, from donations of warm weather gear and snacks for those in our warming center, to volunteers generously donating their time to serve meals or sit with our guests, to anonymous donors who have allowed us to accomplish one of the key objectives in our strategic plan—the opening of our Learning Center. As we continue to pray and plan over the next year, I will be sharing more!
Read this edition of The Beacon and earlier editions on our Issuu page at https://issuu.com/eriecitymission
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Upcoming Events
May 1, 2025-- New Life Program Graduation
May 22, 2025 -- Broadway by the Bay, Warner Theater
July 24, 2025 -- New Life Program Graduation
August 12, 2025 -- Erie Gives 2025, Online Giving Day
Visit www.eriecitymission.org for more information on upcoming events.
Grace House Facility Offers Community Showers for Women
In February, the Erie City Mission announced a new program for women. The Mission’s Grace House campus will now offer a free, safe shower facility for any woman who is interested.
Grace House, will host our women’s shower program every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Warm clothes and hygiene supplies will be provided for those who need them. The Mission will also provide transportation from its main campus at 1017 French St. in an effort to break down any barriers that may prevent women from utilizing this service.
If you are interested in supporting our women’s shower program, the Mission is accepting donations of body wash, sanitary products, bath towels, laundry pods, and bathroom cleaning supplies. Items can be dropped off at the Mission’s main campus at 1017 French St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Natalie Washburn, Secretary Owner/Broker, Maleno Real Estate
Jeff Evans VP, USI Insurance Services
Alan Hamilton VP, Wabtec Corporation
Brian R. Johansson, MPA President/CEO, Erie City Mission Prof. Dr. Joseph Kuvshinikov Gannon
Broadway Comes to Erie
Broadway is coming to Erie on May 22, 2025, during the Erie City Mission’s new Broadway by the Bay event at the historic Warner Theater. Broadway veteran Ivan Rutherford will perform a selection of Broadway hits featuring some of the best-known songs from Les Misèrables. Join Ivan in supporting the Erie City Mission, to bring hope and life-transformation to our most vulnerable neighbors. You won’t want to miss the first-ever Broadway by the Bay!
Learn more about the event and how to purchase tickets by visiting www. eriecitymission.org/broadwaybythebay or scan the QR code.
KNOCKOUT HOMELESSNESS
Thrift With a Purpose!
Big news from the Erie City Mission’s thrift stores. We have a new name and a new look! Formerly known as the Thrifty Shopper, we are excited to announce that our store name is now Erie City Mission Thrift.
When you stop in and shop, you will see first-hand how shopping at our stores supports the Mission and our lifetransforming programs. New banners will connect you with real life stories from program participants and guests, and signage throughout the sales floor will invite you to learn more about our stores, the Mission, and how you can thrift with a purpose!
Did you know? When you shop at one of our ECM Thrift stores, proceeds from your purchase are helping Erie neighbors in need within the Mission’s Samaritan Care Shelter for men, the New Life Program for men and women in recovery, our public breakfast and lunch, and the Urban University youth leadership program.
Support the Fight Against Homelessness
Two local Erie celebrity boxers stepped into the ring on February 18 to give homelessness in Erie the old one-two!
Drew Whiting, CEO of Erie Downtown Development Corp., and Gus Pine, CEO of Erie Events, went toe-to-toe with the legendary Bizzarro family to raise much needed funds for the Erie City Mission’s emergency shelter program. The Mission would like to thank the fighters, the sponsors, and the Bizzarro family for another successful Knockout Homelessness event!
The boxing match may be over, but the fight against homelessness continues. Throughout the month of February, both Whiting and Pine will continue to raise funds for the Mission through their KOH crowdfunding pages. You can help them reach their $10,000 goal by donating today! Visit www.eriecitymission.org to donate.
NEW LOOK NEW NAME SAME MISSION
OPEN HOUSE AND RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Our popular thrift stores have a new name and fresh look. You are invited to our Erie City Mission Thrift Open House!
Thank you for supporting the Mission and our vision to bridge the gap for our residents by removing the barriers that prevent men and women from becoming successful in pursuing their personal goals and dreams!
You can schedule a tour of our new Learning Center by calling our office at 814-452-4421.
In November, we were excited to introduce our updated turkey and fixings giveaway, now called Box of Love. Each box contained supplies to feed a family of five a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal with fresh ingredients, a family game, and homemade cookies. Mission staff and volunteers spent the day greeting and praying with guests in line, and passing out hot breakfast sandwiches and drinks, as well as winter gear for anyone in need.
Spreading Joy
A look at the 2024 holiday season
The winter months and holiday season can be especially hard on our neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness. Yet, it’s always a season of love and joy here at the Erie City Mission.
Through the support of our donors, volunteers, and staff, the Mission was able to make the 2024 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays special for thousands of Erie’s residents.
For the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Mission also began a new tradition. Employees, alongside nearly 50 volunteers, served special holiday meals, restaurant style, during our normal public lunch. Guests were greeted and seated by a host/hostess and were served their drinks and a full holiday meal tableside. These special meals were a chance for us to show a little extra love to our neighbors, by making their holiday a little brighter.
Through these holiday outreach events we served more than 500 individuals during our sit-down meals, and provided a Box of Love and a turkey to 1,025 families.
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