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June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

June 27, 2024

Men’s mental health is an extremely important topic, and over the past few years, we at City Mission have seen an increasing need for mental health services for the men who come through our doors. “We’re definitely seeing an increase,” said Peggy Nagy, one of City Mission’s Men’s Housing Coordinators. “And the severity is increasing too. Four years ago, with COVID, a lot of men lost their jobs or became separated from their families and with that they lost their purpose or their identity. And the isolation of that time exacerbated any symptoms of anxiety and depression they may have had the disposition to.” “Unassigned money and unassigned time is the perfect storm for mental health issues,” added Matt Chase, another one of City Mission’s Housing Coordinators for men. “And a lot of people experienced both during COVID. And they’re still feeling the effects of it today.” Men Tend to Avoid Mental Health Treatment According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “6,000,000 men in the United States experience depression each year,” and “nearly 1 in 10 men experience some form of depression or anxiety but less than half seek treatment.” Nagy explains, “Many men avoid dealing with mental health issues, because they don’t want to be seen as weak. And often they can’t identify the source of the problem, so it feels like weakness to them.” “Or it’s just overwhelming,” added Chase. “They don’t know where to start, and they’re not typically in a place in their lives where they know how to advocate for themselves, because they’re just so focused on survival from day to day that they can’t see the big picture.” Connecting to External Supportive Services At City Mission, we’re not a mental health facility, so our job is to connect our residents to outside supports to get them the counseling, therapy, or medication they need. But connecting our residents to outside mental health support can be a significant barrier to the success of our residents who struggle with mental health. “There’s just not enough agencies and services available,” said Chase. “The whole field is underfunded and understaffed. The turnaround time before we can get them the help they need is often difficult. They have to wait sometimes 30 to 60 days.” Safe Spaces A crucial aspect of our care for men with mental health issues is to create safe spaces for them to share their problems, and we advocate for them and build a team around them while we teach them to advocate for themselves. “We hold space for them to lament,” said Nagy. “We create a safe space for them to talk through their problems and learn more about themselves and help them know that they have someone who loves them and will fight for them no matter what.” “We share the gospel always, but we use words only when necessary,” Chase added. “We show them Christ’s love first through our actions.” Sharing the love of Christ with everyone who walks through our doors is crucial to the success of our Mission, and for men struggling with mental health, that unconditional love helps give them the confidence to trust our staff. Building trust or developing that therapeutic alliance with our team helps them know they don’t have to go through this alone. This trust helps them to open doors to their recovery that they have kept shut their whole lives. Grief and Trauma A startling statistic regarding men’s mental health comes from Mental Health America: men are more than four times more likely than women to die by suicide. The National Alliance on Mental Illness explains it this way, “about four out of every five completed suicides is a guy” (If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach the Crisis & Suicide Lifeline). Unresolved grief and trauma are very often the basis of mental health issues for men, and often the trauma can be traced all the way back to childhood, so it is so deeply embedded into their everyday lives that they aren’t able to see it as the source of their problems. And that can be extremely scary, because they can’t identify it or control it or even know how to begin the process of dealing with it. That overwhelming sense of confusion can lead to severe embarrassment and shame, which opens the door to depression and anxiety and a host of other mental health issues. It also opens the door to addiction as they try to self-medicate. Surprisingly, drug and alcohol dependency often begins as a solution to a problem, a way of coping with the unseen grief and trauma that is wrecking their lives. Eventually, drugs and alcohol become an even greater problem that creates a destructive spiral. You Can Help At City Mission we offer radical hospitality for those who are hurting, following Christ’s example of meeting people where they are and treating them with dignity and respect no matter what who they are or what they’ve done. You can support our efforts to walk with our residents through the challenges of grief and trauma and help give them the tools to restore their lives. Visit www.citymission.org to learn more.

7 Facts About Homeless Veterans

Veteran Resident in his dorm at the Crabtree Kovacicek Veterans House

June 18, 2024

As of 2023, there are approximately 18.3 million veterans in the United States. Despite government efforts to prioritize homeless veterans, on any given night, about 35,000 veterans across the country are still without a home. The failure to support our veterans is painfully evident here in Pennsylvania as well, where, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), veterans make up nearly 11% of the homeless adult population in the state. In terms of homeless veterans, Pennsylvania ranks 8th among other states, falling behind California, Florida, Texas, Washington, Oregon, New York and Arizona. At City Mission, we’re proud of our commitment to help veterans. They served us. Now, let’s serve them. In 2018, we opened the doors to our Crabtree Kovacicek Veterans House, a 22-bed facility built specifically to house our veterans program, led by veterans and designed to meet the specific needs of homeless veterans. This program supports our veterans as they navigate through the most challenging times of the lives, not only by helping to heal their bodies and minds but also by restoring their faith in God. “I thought I came to the Mission because I needed surgery, but God brought me here to learn lessons of humility and faith and trust. The people here have really been a blessing for me. The Mission has helped me to heal, and it has also given me an opportunity to be of service to God by serving others. I’m completely healed now. I feel great. I got my energy back. I couldn’t have done it without God, but City Mission has been the vessel.” -John, US Army Veteran Even though we are excited about our work with veterans, we know there is more work to be done. Here are some facts you should know about homeless veterans and how you can help. Veterans Are More Likely to Become Homeless Veterans are more likely to become homeless than non-veterans. PTSD, substance abuse, and a lack of affordable housing all contribute to this. Although they make up only 7% of the general population, veterans represent about 13% of the homeless adult population. Opioid Addiction Fuels Homelessness Among Veterans Opioid addiction is a significant problem among homeless veterans. Many turn to opioids to deal with pain and mental health issues, but it ends up worsening their situation and eventually destroying their lives. Veterans are twice as likely to die from opioid overdose than the general population. Rising Homelessness Among Female Veterans Homelessness among female veterans has risen sharply, increasing nearly 24% from 2020 to 2023. This highlights the need for gender-specific support. Female veterans face unique challenges, including higher rates of sexual trauma and family instability. At City Mission, female veterans stay in our Women’s shelter or Women with Children Shelter, and they participate in our homeless veterans’ program. Racial Disparities Among Veterans African American and Hispanic veterans are disproportionately affected by homelessness. They face higher risks of mental health and substance abuse disorders, as well as higher rates of homelessness compared to white veterans. Veteran Homelessness Sees Significant Increase Veteran homelessness has spiked significantly, the largest increase in 12 years. There was a 7.4% rise in veteran homelessness from 2022 to 2023. The end of pandemic-related eviction moratoriums and a lack of affordable housing are major factors. Thousands of Veterans Sleep on the Streets Every Night Despite efforts, about 35,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. This shows the ongoing challenge and the need for continued support to address veteran homelessness effectively. Veterans Need Our Help Veterans have given so much to protect our country and the freedoms that make us proud to be Americans. Yet, many face the harsh reality of homelessness when they return to civilian life. Whether due to PTSD, substance abuse, or just a lack of affordable housing, it’s our duty to take care of our former service members and show them the same respect, support, and compassion they showed us through their service. The rising number of female veterans experiencing homelessness and the significant spikes in overall veteran homelessness make it clear: our veterans need our support and by coming together as a community, we can ensure our Vets get the help they deserve. How You Can Help There are many ways to donate to continue to support City Mission’s efforts at the Crabtree-Kovacicek Veterans house. Donate online, by check to City Mission, 84 W Wheeling St, Washington, PA 15301, or call (724) 222-8530 Sources/References: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/08/the-changing-face-of-americas-veteran-population/ https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/SpecialInitiatives/Pages/HomelessVeterans.aspx https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/homeless-population-by-state https://news.va.gov/126913/veteran-homelessness-increased-by-7-4-in-2023/ https://www.research.va.gov/topics/homelessness.cfm#:~:text=Veterans%20discharged%20for%20misconduct%20have,dramatically%20higher%20rates%20of%20homelessness https://americanaddictioncenters.org/veterans/opioid-addiction https://counciloncj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pdf-racial-disparities-among-veterans.pdf https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/01/31/va-sets-annual-record-placing-homeless-veterans-housing-sheltering-more-46000-people.html#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20homeless%20veterans,by%204%25%20overall%20since%202020.

Standing in the GAP

June 6, 2024

Standing in the GAP The National Low-Income Housing Coalition, a non-profit founded in 1974, produces an annual GAP Report to demonstrate the need for more affordable homes in the United States. In March, they published their 2024 GAP report, which once again shows a dire shortage of affordable housing. “The United States has long faced a significant shortage of affordable rental housing,” the report begins. It goes on to say, “The shortage of affordable housing has worsened over the past few years, exacerbated by rising rent prices and job and wage losses during the pandemic. Although most economic indicators suggest the economy is recovering, the supply of affordable housing for the nation’s lowest-income renters remains deeply inadequate.” The report identifies extremely low-income households and defines them as those “at or below either the federal poverty guideline or 30% of the area median income, whichever is greater.” These households comprise about 25% of all renters in the US, and in 2023 they experienced a “shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes, resulting in only 34 affordable and available homes for every 100 extremely low-income households.” The 2024 GAP Report also demonstrates that the lack of affordable housing is worse now than before the pandemic, indicating that the shortage of affordable and available housing for extremely low-income households increased by 480,000 between 2019 and 2022. And an unbelievable 74% of all extremely low-income households are severely cost-burdened, meaning that they spend over 50% of their income on rent. These statistics are devastating, but at City Mission, we know that our model for restoring individuals to independent living has been working in Washington County and beyond for 83 years. We believe that our Christ-centered and holistic approach to life-recovery can truly change lives and transform a community. And we are assured that many of you believe that too, because you continue to overwhelm us with your compassionate and generous giving. You are truly making a positive impact in a world and a community in need. In 2023, City Mission helped 158 individuals and families find sustainable housing. We helped 129 of our residents obtain jobs. We served 1,436 neighbors in need this past year with an overall success rate of 69% for those who stayed at least 90 days. The need in the US and in our community is growing…but so is City Mission. Just last month, we broke ground on a new shelter for homeless women. Sally’s Sanctuary will house 50 women in our long-term program, nearly doubling our capacity to serve homeless women and increasing overall capacity from 174 beds to over 200. Your support of City Mission can change the world one life at a time. Supporting City Mission is one way you can stand in the gap for those in need. Visit www.citymission.org to learn more.

Preventing Summer Hunger

June 3, 2024

Preventing Summer Hunger School meals play a crucial role in ensuring the health and nutrition of many children in our community. However, when school is out for the summer, those who rely on free meals face an increased risk of hunger. Unfortunately, in our communities, the meal provided at school is often the only substantial one some children receive each day. The Impact: The lack of sufficient food during the summer months can lead to heightened behavioral and emotional issues in children. This food insecurity also places additional stress on parents, impacting their mental health. Parents who struggle to provide for their families face increased stress and anxiety, affecting their mental health and overall well-being. How You Can Help: Your support can make a significant difference in preventing this summer hunger crisis. You can help relieve the anxiety of parents and ensure that children receive the nutrition they need during the summer. Join us in our mission to combat summer hunger at City Mission! 1. Monetary Donations: Your contribution during our Love Your Neighbor Campaign can provide an extra meal for a hungry child and support families in need. Donate to our campaign here: http://bit.ly/3R9BQU9 2. In-Kind Contributions: a. In Person: You can donate food items or fresh produce at our Samaritan Care Center, open Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm. Address: 84 West Wheeling St., Entrance A4, Washington, Pa 15301 b. Online: You can donate food items directly to our food pantry through our Amazon Wish List! View and purchase from our wish list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/33Y596BBAEWUZ?ref_=wl_share Together, we can ensure that no family goes hungry this summer. Donate today and make a meaningful impact in your community. Thank you for your support!

Lift up the Word. Light up the World.

May 3, 2024

“Lord, you are a light to us,” prayed City Mission’s President Emeritus, Dean Gartland, at our annual National Day of Prayer meeting last Thursday. “May your light shine through us to others. We pray for City Mission. Help us to continue to be a bright light in a dark time.” On Thursday, May 2, City Mission hosted our annual National Day of Prayer celebration in our Porter Pillow and Peggie Beaver Pillow Chapel. Leah Dietrich, Director of Residential Programs, acted as Master of Ceremonies, and Dr. Sally Mounts, Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event singing “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns. Next, City Mission staff members came up to speak and pray on a series of topics. Dean Gartland, prayed for City Mission. Manager of Church and Community Relations, Shelley Kubincanek, prayed for our local churches. Dr. Sally Mounts prayed for the military. Chief Financial Officer, Denny Kennedy, prayed for the state of Pennsylvania. Director of Development, Trisha Schum, prayed for the United States. Pastor Lance Whitlock, our Manager of Men’s Services, prayed for peace. RSS Supervisor/Chaplain, Jared Nolan, prayed for faith, and Volunteer Manager, Amanda Blakemore, prayed for children. The theme for this year’s event was: Lift up the Word. Light up the World, and each speaker presented a unique twist on the theme. “The churches in our community are such a beacon of light to each and every one of us,” said Shelley Kubincanek during her prayer for our local churches. “In today’s world where there is so much darkness, we need patience, kindness, humility more now than ever.” During Lance Whitlock’s prayer for peace, he explained, “It’s been said that we’re either going into a storm, we are currently in a storm, or we’re just coming out of a storm, but in the midst of it all, Jesus still speaks peace.” It was a beautiful ceremony to highlight the need for God’s grace to shine down on us all so that we, in turn, have the capacity to give grace to others.

Clean Slate Day

Brian Gorman, Executive Director of Summit Legal Aid

April 12, 2024

Summit Legal Aid, Washington County’s nonprofit legal aid organization, partnered with the Washington County Bar Association and City Mission for Clean Slate Day on Friday, April 12 in the City Mission Dining Hall.Clean Slate Day allows individuals with criminal charges or convictions to meet with volunteer attorneys and pardon coaches for free to find out if they are eligible for pardons, expungements, or sealing their records. Volunteer legal professionals will review case information and assist with the application process.“A criminal record is a very real barrier to employment for our residents,” said City Mission Manager of Career Services, Brianna Kadlecik. “And sustainable employment is a vital piece of the puzzle for them to get back to independent living.”But a clean slate does not just help with employment. Kadlecik has seen criminal records create barriers for our residents to obtain housing, financial aid for education, and even a driver’s license – all things that could help to clear a path for them to a better life. “It’s a beautiful thing,” Kadlecik said of the Clean Slate Day event. “Residents who have attended in the past have been able to get answers to things they didn’t think they would ever be able to get answers to.” For Brian Gorman, the Executive Director of Summit Legal Aid, Clean Slate Day is about giving people a second chance. “Everybody who comes here is looking to better themselves in some way,” he explained. “They’re looking for a job or a higher-income job. They could also be trying to go to school or to obtain housing, and their criminal record is preventing them from achieving those goals. So it not only gives people hope and redemption, but it also gives them tangible things that can help them create a better life.”

"A Place Where Change Can Happen"

April 12, 2024

During National Volunteer Month, we would like to give a special thank you to our incredible family of volunteers. Without all of you, we would not be able to offer all the resources and services that we offer to our residents. By volunteering at City Mission, you are helping to transform lives. Today, if you haven’t already met our new-ish Volunteer Manager, Amanda Blakemore, I would like to introduce you to her. She started at City Mission last October and has successfully navigated through her first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sweet Sunday, and Easter volunteer seasons. Amanda has proven to be a great asset to our team. She is friendly and compassionate and warm. She communicates clearly and empathetically, and she works extremely hard. Here are some fun facts to help you get to know her a little bit better… 1. Before coming to City Mission, Amanda’s favorite job was as a music teacher in an elementary school. She did that for 10 years. And occasionally, she shares her musical talents with us here at City Mission by singing in our chapel worship services. 2. She listens to all kinds of different music, but Lauren Daigle is one of favorites. 3. Her favorite food is crab legs…or maybe sushi. 4. Her best vacation was a solo trip to Sedona, AZ and the Grand Canyon. She explained, “Just quiet time with God in the beautiful and vast wilderness.” 5. Her dad, Taylor, was a fighter pilot in the Navy and an Ironman triathlete into his sixties. When Amanda was little, she traveled all over the country for triathlons and other long-distance events. Here’s what Amanda had to stay about City Mission… “My favorite thing about City Mission is the people -- staff, residents, and volunteers. I have never been at a place where I experience so much love, and I know that Jesus is working here.” “I think the thing that surprised me most about City Mission was just the size and extent of the operations here. I did not expect a homeless shelter to be such a big, beautiful campus. I was also surprised by how much City Mission offers the residents that live here. It is truly a place where change can happen, because people are given the tools and support they need to succeed and return to independent living.”

Happy Volunteer Month

April 5, 2024

Welcome to National Volunteer Month! Our family of volunteers is an absolutely essential part of our ministry to serve those in need and to restore the homeless to independence. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5 (Link to Bible Gateway for full chapter: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NIV) Together, we all make up the body of Christ, carrying out His work for the “least of these” here in this world, and we are so incredibly grateful for those who dedicate their time, talent, and treasure to support our Mission. Last year we had… 23,011 total volunteer hours 1,918 volunteer hours on average per month 27 locations on and off campus for volunteers to serve in Volunteering has many benefits… For the Community Volunteering at City Mission supports the most vulnerable in our community – those who are suffering and in need. Those we serve are working hard to restore their lives and overcome all the barriers that led them to homelessness. The more love and support they receive while they are here boosts their confidence, gives them hope that their lives can improve, and encourages them to keep working to transform their lives. “The most important thing is the caring relationships that develop between volunteers and residents,” said Jason Johnson, Manager of Support Services at City Mission. “It shows the residents that people genuinely care about them. That builds their self-esteem. You can’t create that. You can’t build a lesson plan for that. That’s just God being God. That’s the beauty of it.” For Physical and Mental Health Studies (link to Mayo Clinic blog post: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering) show that volunteering can reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive and relaxed feelings, lead to lower rates of depression, and provide a sense of meaning and purpose – all of which can lead to better overall wellness and alleviate physical health issues like heart disease and stroke. Volunteering also helps you to get out of your comfort zone, learn new skills, and have exciting, new experiences – all of which help to promote general wellness. For Building Relationships Volunteering can grow your network of friends by helping you to meet passionate people who share similar interests – people who you might not otherwise have had a chance to meet. It can build stronger bonds among families and friend groups by creating positive and lasting shared memories. Volunteering also helps to develop a kind of “social trust” within a community by demonstrating that even in this fast-paced world full of distractions and personal responsibilities, there are still compassionate people who are genuinely working to make the world a better place. Conclusion Volunteerism, especially sustained volunteering on an on-going basis can little by little help to make the world a better place. It helps to improve the lives both of those who are being served and of those who serve. Volunteering at City Mission can work to enhance our programming, shower our residents with care and compassion, and improve the state of our community one soul at a time! To learn more about volunteering at City Mission, please visit: https://www.citymission.org/ways-to-help/volunteer

Dean's Retirement Video

March 26, 2024

City Mission's President/CEO for the past 14 years, Dean Gartland retired from that position on March 1, 2024. He will continue on as President Emeritus until September 30, 2024. We wish thank him for his faithful service to those in need, and we wish him all the very best for years to come! We love you, Dean!

Mission Highlights

Real Information

City Mission looks to stay on top of the latest information regarding the stories of Residents, Donors & Events inside City Mission as well as homelessness and poverty both here in our area and nationally. We would love to share some of this with you!