Bethesda Mission
Network of Compassion
The Men’s Shelter, begun in 1934 at 611 Reily Street, Harrisburg’s only recovery shelter for men, provides Samaritan services to those in need, 365 days a year, including safe lodging, nutritious meals, hot showers. And for those ready to break the chains that have kept them in lives of gloom and darkness, Bethesda’s recovery programs provide the possibility to transform lives and heal broken bodies, minds and spirits!
In 1983 a building on 20th Street was purchased and converted into a shelter for women and children looking for a safe haven in the midst of life’s violent storms. The Women and Children’s Shelter provides the same types of recovery programs in a loving and caring atmosphere, which offers stability and time for healing.
The Community Center opened as a Youth Center in 1990 in response to an obvious void in meeting the very real needs of inner city youth. After seventy-five years of service, Bethesda Mission felt that the skills acquired in repairing broken lives could be applied effectively to the prevention of such human destruction. The Community Center offers athletics, tutoring, spiritual development, life skills training, reading programs after school and a summer camp for children and teens through both paid staff and volunteers, and support to the families and guardians.
In 1990 the Medical Clinic began offering Mission guests and the poor in the community critical and timely medical attention provided by volunteer medical professionals. In 2009, a Dental Clinic opened with volunteer dentists and dental hygienists/assistants supported by Bethesda’s operating budget. In 2014 a new Health Suite was completed; first floor Medical Clinic, and second floor, Dental Clinic.
Since 1996 the Mobile Mission and its volunteer staff have offered hope, love and encouragement as well as food and blankets to those who choose (because of mental illness or other reasons) to remain on the streets of Harrisburg.
Recognizing that poverty and hunger are less visible, yet harder to cure in outlying areas, our Rural Outreach began in 1997. We partner with churches and other agencies in counties surrounding Harrisburg to provide hundreds of bags of food and essential daily products to hungry and needy families. After these needs are met, church members are able to explore spiritual and other needs with these families.
Transitional Living housing is provided at Trinity House on Cameron Street for the men and at the Women & Children’s Shelter Annex for the women, which provides a place for graduates to live for a 6 to 12-month time frame to receive counseling and support in making the adjustment toward total independence.
