HOMELESS MINISTRY
Our ministry with persons who are homeless or between homes has taken many different forms depending on the need and circumstances at a particular time. Several years ago, Market Square was instrumental in building the Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven Winter Emergency Shelter and continues to provide leadership and staffing.
We hosted a successful tent encampment during one recent winter from which all of its residents found permanent housing. Recently, we were the only faith community in Harrisburg to be invited to contribute financially to the construction of “Paxton Place” on the campus of Paxton Ministries that provides housing units to 37 mostly homeless elders.
Market Square has a “homelessness task force” that keeps apprised of needs and opportunities to alleviate the deleterious effects of homelessness, and volunteers as chaperones at the overnight shelter in winter. On December 1, the Winter Overnight Safe Haven Shelter opened for another season. Its mission is to provide a warm, dry, safe place to sleep for up to 25 men who are homeless during the winter months. If you would like more information about the homeless task force, please contact Elder Jim Terry or Elder Dale Laninga.
In addition, Market Square offers a Sunday morning community breakfast, provides vouchers for showers, and connects people with other agencies, such as HELP Ministries at Christian Churches United, who can help with specific needs.