The Beacon
June 2025
Shining A Spotlight
New Event Supports Women and Children in Crisis
Broadway veteran Ivan Rutherford graced the stage of the historic Warner Theatre on Thursday, May 22, during the Erie City Mission’s inaugural Broadway by the Bay event. This unforgettable evening, in partnership with the Erie Philharmonic, served as an important initiative supporting the Mission’s drug and alcohol program for women. The record setting $210,000 raised was made possible by the generous support of our Platinum partner, PSN Labs, LLC, and our many Silver and VIP partners.
The Erie City Mission was pleased to welcome the former Les Misérables Broadway star Ivan Rutherford as the special guest headliner for Broadway by the Bay. Ivan has performed
the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables over 2,300 times on Broadway and national tours. He was honored with the role during the 10th anniversary company in New York.
The first-of-its-kind for the Erie City Mission, Broadway by the Bay delivered a captivating performance by Ivan, who sang a selection of Broadway hits featuring some of his best-known songs from Les Misérables. Laughter and tears were shared throughout the night as an audience of over 750 sang along to songs from West Side Story, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables. The show was met with a standing ovation and a promise from Ivan to return for next year’s event with a few of his Broadway friends.
Taking Center Stage
As part of the evening, the Erie City Mission shared its strategic vision to expand services to women and children in crisis over the next three years. Through a special film presentation, the Mission highlighted the growing need in Erie for additional support for women and children facing housing challenges. Brian Johansson, CEO of the Erie City Mission, revealed the plan to build a new facility on the Mission campus that would increase its available beds for women in crisis to 100. Johansson also announced a generous three million dollar gift that was received to launch this life-transforming project.
A Message from the Chief Executive Officer
In this edition of The Beacon we highlight a new fundraiser for the Erie City Mission— Broadway by the Bay. My good friend, Ivan Rutherford, of Les Misérables fame, performed at the beautiful and historic Warner Theatre. With a crowd of almost 800, it was a wonderful evening and a great opportunity to share the Mission’s strategic vision for serving women and children in crisis. The event raised more than any other fundraiser the Mission has had, with over $200,000 going to support our current work with women at our Grace House. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of our event chairs, James and Natalie Washburn, and their committee.
At the event, I shared some real stories of women struggling in their addiction, dealing with mental health concerns, experiencing economic challenges, and fleeing domestic violence with their children in tow. These issues are both complex and heartbreaking. With the support of our community, our vision to address the pressing needs of women and children in crisis is becoming a reality. I was excited to announce that the Mission has received a significant gift of 3 million dollars to seed our facility project. With this support we are already in discussions with several local architecture firms and are developing a committee that will be instrumental in moving this project forward. God is good!
As we begin to see this vision take shape, I am reminded of the biblical account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Jesus knew her challenges, and yet in His compassionate way, He met her right where she was. He made such an impact on her in that limited conversation! It is this introduction to the person of Jesus, the “living water,” that we pray permeates our vision for women and children in crisis. Please keep this vital project in your prayers along with all the women and children in need in our region.
Upcoming Events
June 17, 2025 -- ECF Began Accepting Checks and Stock Gifts for Erie Gives
July 24, 2025 -- New Life Program Graduation
August 5, 2025 -- Last Day to Donate to Erie Gives by Check
August 11, 2025 -- Last Day to Initiate Stock Gifts for Erie Gives
August 12, 2025 -- Erie Gives 2025, Online Giving Day, 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
October 16, 2025 -- Annual Celebration of New Life
Visit www.eriecitymission.org for more information on upcoming events.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Erie City Mission Welcomes New Directors to the Board
The Erie City Mission would like to introduce two new members to our Board of Directors.
Joseph Smith, a project manager at E.E. Austin, brings his expertise in grant writing, construction, and IT to the Board. Joe attends Harborcreek Community Church with his wife, Gwen, and their three children, and has been supporting the Erie City Mission for many years.
Tera Alabran is the director of operations for PSN Labs, LLC. Tera not only brings her MBA and work experience in policy development, special events, and finance to the Board, but has also volunteered at the Mission. Tera and her husband, Mike, have two children and attend Grace Church.
We are excited to welcome both Joe and Tera to our Board of Directors and extend our heartfelt gratitude for their willingness to serve our organization!
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Broadway Comes Back in 2026
Ivan will be back next Spring, in support of women and children in crisis—this time with a few of his Broadway friends! Keep an eye out for the date announcement in the August newsletter.
Wish you could dine with Ivan and his friends during Broadway on the Bay 2026? Consider sponsoring next year’s fundraiser and participating in the VIP event, where you’ll enjoy an intimate evening with our special guests, featuring a gourmet meal, interviews with the stars, and premium seating at the performance. Contact us today to learn about sponsorship packages and secure your spot at this exclusive experience.
Manager, E.E. Austin
Tera Alabran Director of Operations, PSN Labs, LLC Jeff Evans VP,
Services
Alan Hamilton VP, Wabtec Corporation
Brian R. Johansson, MPA President/CEO, Erie City Mission
Prof. Dr. Joseph Kuvshinikov
More Than a Gift for Today!
Save the date! Erie Gives is just around the corner. Your gift on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, provides long-lasting life transformation.
Planning to participate in this year’s Erie Gives Day? Learn what’s new and important deadlines using our checklist below.
New for Erie Gives
Like last year, giving takes place from 12 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., a full 24 hours of giving! You can donate on Tuesday, August 12, using a credit or debit card by visiting eriegives. org. NEW THIS YEAR, the Erie Community Foundation and their community partners will be covering ALL fees for online transactions, AND will continue to sponsor the Bonus Bucks!
Check and Stock Giving
For those intending to donate by check, stock, or through an IRA distribution, donations will be accepted starting Tuesday, June 17.
Visit www.eriecitymission.org/eriegives and download the Erie Gives check contribution form
Make your check out to the Erie Community Foundation. Checks must be a minimum of $25 and be received by August 5
Initiate your stock or IRA gift with your custodian and direct it to the Erie Community Foundation no later than August 11
Make sure to include a completed contribution form with your personal check, stock gift, or IRA check
Stamp and mail to (or drop off at) the Erie Community Foundation, 459 W. 6th St., Erie, PA 16507
If you choose to participate by giving to the ECF for Erie Gives in August, the Erie City Mission will receive a prorated match making your donation go even further.
Important Dates
Tuesday, June 17 - ECF began accepting checks, stock and IRA gifts
Friday, August 5 - Last day to donate by check
Monday, August 11 - Last day to initiate stock gifts
Tuesday, August 12 - Online giving begins, 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. No credit card fees!
Watch your mailbox for our annual Erie Gives mailer with official contribution form!
Parker Lord Erie Employees Select Mission for Foundation Grant
The Erie City Mission was presented with a significant grant through the Parker Hannifin Foundation on May 27. Selected by the Parker Lord Erie Team as their charity of choice, the Mission received a $9,900 grant to help the hundreds of men, women, and children served daily through our programs and services. Brian Johansson, CEO of the Erie City Mission accepted the generous donation alongside members of the Erie Team at Parker Lord. Thank you, Parker Lord Erie Team for partnering with us as we continue to restore hope and transform lives throughout Erie!
have no place to call home and who are desperately in need of the compassionate care programming that the Mission provides. Sleeping under bridges, in abandoned buildings, vehicles, or make-shift tents in one of Erie’s homeless encampments—there is no place our Outreach Team won’t go, no spot too hidden, or corner too dark.
Reaching these neighbors does have its challenges though. Many encampments are off-road, making it difficult for our team to access. That is why the Erie City Mission is excited to share the recent donation of a 2019 Nissan Frontier by Bonnell’s Collision and Sales!
With this truck, our Outreach Team is able to reach the homeless encampments they visit three times a week, and it enables them to deliver food, water, and other needed supplies. Most importantly, it allows them to offer help and support through prayer, housing or shelter bed opportunities, and the hope we have in Christ.
Thank you, Bonnell’s Collision for this generous and muchneeded gift to enable our Outreach Team to serve even more of our neighbors in need.
Make This a Summer of Hope!
As the Mission prepares for summer, we need your help to keep our shelves stocked with the items most needed to serve our guests.
- Tissues (boxes or travel packs)
- Lip Balm/Chapstick (with SPF)
- Cleansing Body Wipes (not baby wipes)
- Flip Flops (men’s and women’s, all sizes)
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Bottled Spring Water
- Batteries: AA, AAA, C, and D
- 1-lb. Propane Gas Cylinders
- First-Aid Supplies or Kits
- Hydrogen Peroxide (small bottles)
- Compostable Takeout Containers
Donations 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. Please mark donations as “Summer Needs.”
You can also shop our Amazon wish list and have your donation shipped directly to the Mission.
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