Rising from the ashes
A kitchen fire one year ago today in City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling St., Washington, could have crippled services to the area’s homeless population. But, due in large part to support from the community, the men who were displaced as a result of the disaster are moving Saturday into a newly renovated $2.9 million facility, and the nonprofit continues to expand.
“As I look at those buildings, I realize without the help of the people, organizations, churches and corporations, we would never have reached this first milestone,” said development director Dr. Sally Mounts. “Southwestern Pennsylvania has been amazing to us, and the people here really care.”
After the fire, donations in the form of money, food, time and space poured in. Several organizations offered temporary living and dining locations to the mission’s clients, allowing the mission to continue services uninterrupted.
The mission assists almost 600 men, women and children every year with shelter, nourishment and rehabilitation.
In May, a four-part comprehensive program with elements of drug and alcohol recovery, job training and autonomy building was implemented to achieve the organization’s goal of moving people from homelessness to independent living.
The mission serves about 300 meals a day to the homeless and those living in poverty. Dining in the former space was limited to 45 people; there will be space for as many as 150 in the new facility.
The mission’s retail centers are growing, too. Plans are underway for eight thrift store openings over the next year. Proceeds from those stores support the nonprofit. A building on Sheffield Street was recently purchased as a distribution center, where men and women going through the program will receive job training.
“It’s a really, really exciting time to be working at the City Mission,” Mounts said. “We’re going to be bigger and better than ever before, and, God willing, we can help more people.”
The mission’s iconic church building is still undergoing renovation; groundbreaking will take place in September for a veterans shelter, and renovations will begin in October on Avis Arbor, a shelter for women and children.
Mounts invited members of the community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. June 29 at the site.
“It’s just so heartwarming. This new shelter will double our capacity of helping homeless men in the surrounding region,” said Mounts. “The support has just been amazing. It has enabled us to do what we’re doing.”
For information, visit www.citymission.org.