FRESH Start helps veteran and teen son rebuild lives
“Well, I’m an older-than-dirt, single father.” That was the icebreaker FRESH Start guest Don began with during a 45-minute conversation about his journey to LCCM’s FRESH Start Emergency Shelter and Resource Center with his son, Malachi. “I have a 15-year-old son who I have been the sole source of everything to since he just turned […]
FRESH Start Emergency Shelter & Resource Center now under one roof in renovated, permanent home
It started in September 2019 with a vision: to provide long-term sustainability for LCCM’s FRESH Start Emergency Shelter & Resource Center.In February, that vision became reality when our guests slept overnight at our newly renovated, permanent shelter space at the Chestnut Street Community Center.The road to this destination was long, but God’s unseen hand guided […]
FRESH Start a safe haven for mom, 3 kids
Five-year-old Aiden spent two months at FRESH Start with his mother, Desirae, and brothers, Jace, 2, and Joel, 1. They were discharged from the shelter and resource center last week and will celebrate Christmas in their new home in Lancaster. As 5-year-old Aiden and 2-year-old Jace watched “The Grinch,” their 1-year-old brother, Joel, slept in […]
Open house planned for expanded market on 7th space at lccm
Lebanon County Christian Ministries is expanding its Market on 7th and will host an open house for the new space at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.The market serves roughly 800-1000 families every two weeks and relies on multiple staff members and roughly 15-20 volunteers for daily operations. In June of 2024, the board of […]
COVID-19: Food insecurity continues to grow in Lebanon County and 4 other things you should know about LCCM
Clint waited in line at the free noon meal at Lebanon County Christian Ministries on Wednesday. The Lebanon man, a medical transport driver, has been to the noon meal periodically in the past but has come back recently because his hours at work have been cut down from 40 per week to about 25 – […]
Caught between SNAP and LIHEAP delays, a grandmother turned to faith — and found help
In October, Doris wasn’t sure what she was going to do. The government delayed the release of SNAP (food stamps), and at the same time it announced that the federal heating assistance program, LIHEAP, would be delayed by a month.Doris lives on a fixed income with her teenage granddaughter in an old farmhouse – and […]
Bridging the gap between working and stable: How LCcm’s utility assistance program is helping families regain footing
A mother makes $2,000 a month as a home health aide. Her expenses outweigh her income by about $200, but she can usually make it work. Because she has a household of 3, she meets income guidelines for government heating assistance through the LIHEAP program and receives SNAP benefits. She’d be doing OK if it […]
Ashley came to LCCM for help with food and a water bill. 9 months later, she has a GED and a phlebotomy certification.
Ashley, left, and LCCM upLIFT coach, Lesvi Vazquez, celebrate after Ashley received her GED. Ashley came to Lebanon County Christian Ministries a year ago looking for help with food and a water bill. Little did she know at the time that this encounter would lead to getting her GED and becoming certified as a phlebotomist. […]
After lifetime of trauma, Palmyra woman ‘finally ready to invest in this life I never thought I wanted.’
Behind every phone call to LCCM is a story. This is Amy’s. Amy celebrated her 50th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day. This birthday marked a major milestone for Amy, and not just because it’s considered the “golden jubilee” of birthdays. It was a milestone because she never thought she’d make it this far.Amy was 11 […]
After 2 job losses due to COVID-19, family of 5 turns to Lebanon County Christian Ministries for food assistance
Photo provided by Vanessa Breen After the birth of her son, Vanessa Breen turned to Lebanon County Christian Ministries for food assistance. Fifteen years later, she and her family found themselves needing assistance again, this time due to job losses as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. “I’m a school van driver,” the Richland […]