at a church alter

Hope for the
Homeless
In Southwestern PA since 1941

Ways to Help

Read About
Suzanne's Success Story

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city mission suzanne's success story

Please Support Us Today
$25 Provides 10 Meals

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City Mission Intro

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See how your financial contribution can restore hope to the homeless!
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Events

Support our fundraising events by attending, volunteering, or sponsoring.
Upcoming Events

Thrift

We have 8 Thrift Stores and a warehouse! All proceeds go to our life-changing programs.
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Volunteer

City Mission has numerous volunteer opportunities. Sign up today!
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Learn more about City Mission

Who we are

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City Mission is a Christ-centered rehabilitative homeless shelter.  

We facilitate the transformation of those who have descended into homelessness, hunger and despair by providing food, shelter, case management, Christian based counseling, and life-changing programming.  

Our goal is to help each person who walks through our doors to become a healthy, productive member of society.

front view of city mission chapel
a beautiful little girl stares at her empty plate

What we do

The City Mission offers two branches of service - Compassionate Care and our Life Recovery Program.

Compassionate Care reaches out to those most in need by offering basic services such as meals, shelter, and medical care.  

The Life Recovery Program assists men, women, and children who are in crisis and looking for life transformation.  

Our philosophy is to meet people where they are and to lead them towards their God-given purpose.

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What you can do

City Mission’s work is only possible by the community and businesses of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s generous donation of time and treasure.  

If you, your business, or church would like to be part of bringing hope to those hurting in our region, or partner with us to deliver the same - please take action today.

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5 youthful volunteers in the cafeteria alongside CEO Dean Gartland
Our Mission
For over 80 years, City Mission has shared Christ, sheltered, healed, and restored the homeless to independent living—without discrimination.  City Mission’s comprehensive program addresses both short-term needs like food and shelter, and long-term needs, including drug and alcohol counseling, mental health and medical treatment, legal aid, and employment training.  Our goal is to help each man, woman, mother with children, or veteran who walks through our doors to become a healthy, productive member of society.  With your help, we help our residents renew their lives.
3 male City Mission Resident give a group hug
Men
female resident
Women
mother with 2 children
Women & Children
group of 5 male veterans in discussion group
Veterans
Programs & Services Details
Our Impact
Our goal for each person who comes to City Mission is for them to move from a life of crisis, to a healthy, productive and thriving life.  Because of your generosity, City Mission made a real impact in the community, giving hope to those who are hungry and homeless and come to our doors for help.
icon - food / meals
79204
Meals
icon - shelter
28364
Nights of Shelter
icon - number of residents
1085
People Served
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15601
Medical Services
See More Stats

What Our Residents Say

Amanda, female resident
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"City Mission is where I finally learned that life isn't totally about me. When I began to put others first, I attained a peace that I never had before."
Jackie,
Former Mission Resident
Randy, former resident
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“The Mission gives you the opportunity to get right with the Lord and truly change your life. I’m learning to love myself the way God loves me.”
Matt,
City Mission Resident
kevin, resident
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“This time last year, I was depressed, but today I have hope.  The Mission is a place of restoration.  A place of giving life to the lifeless.”
Carmella,
City Mission Resident
matt, former resident
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“When I had nowhere else to go, their doors were open.  They took me in graciously. They’ve given me hope.  I’ve gotten my confidence and dignity back."
Matt,
Former Resident
Nikki, former resident
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“The Mission is a miracle for me. It has offered and given me so much.  There’s everything here you could need to get on your feet and start over.”
Nikki,
Former Mission Resident
Nikki, former resident
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“I’m finally happy.  Happy that I restored my relationship with the Lord.  It’s definitely better when you have God on your side.”
Garrick,
Former Mission Resident
Renee, former resident
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“The gratitude I have in my heart for this place is indescribable.  It is always going to be apart of my life.  City Mission is forever engraved on my heart.”
Renee,
Former Mission Resident
Jeff, resident
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"City Mission has done wonders for me. It’s really been a God-send. As a vet, it takes me a while to trust people. But God is love, and the City Mission is love."
Jeff,
City Mission Resident

Latest News from the Mission

Our News Articles provide information on all manner of topics related to the City Mission.  Our Subject areas include:  Events; Resident Stories; Our Donors; Newsletter Repository; and Knowledge Share.  Knowledge Share engages a host of topics regarding homelessness, addiction and poverty.  Below you will find an opportunity to be “in-the-know” by being on our email list.  You will also find our most recent news pulled together for you below.  Checkout the "Podcast" section of our Knowledge Share articles page!

City Mission Reports Annual Impact in the Community

Former Resident, Dave, tells his story
November 20, 2024

Homelessness is a growing problem in Southwestern Pennsylvania and all over the United States. 2023 saw a 12% increase in the homeless population from the year before, marking a record high in the US since homeless data was collected in 2007. The Wall Street Journal reports that 2024 is unfortunately on track to break that record once again. Now is the time for homeless shelters and rescue missions across the country to step up. Local communities must join the fight by investing in these organizations. If we don’t, this disturbing trend of rising homelessness rates will continue. The City of Washington and our surrounding communities have faithfully supported the City Mission for 83 years, and the staff and leadership at the Mission are ready and willing to serve. The City Mission reported its’ annual community impact results today. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the City Mission served 1,453 unique individuals, serving street homeless, sheltered homeless, and the working poor in our area. The Mission provided 84,912 meals, 47,288 nights of shelter, 14,319 medical clinic services, and 9,390 grocery bags to residents and community. Additionally, the Mission helped 150 homeless individuals transition into their very own homes. Their Career Training and Education Center helped 129 individuals obtain jobs. City Mission’s compassionate and holistic residential programs and services guided their residents who stay in the program for at least 90 days to a 69% overall success rate. Women and families are currently the fastest-growing homeless populations in the United States, and that impact is being felt locally as City Mission receives calls from homeless women every day. They simply do not have enough beds right now to house them all, and their waitlist continues to grow. In response to this growing need, City Mission is growing too. Over the past year, they have been raising funds to build a new 50-bed shelter for homeless women. In May of 2024, construction began on Sally’s Sanctuary, and the new facility is scheduled to open in July of 2025. “Before coming to City Mission, I was filled with fear,” said Mila, a former resident. “Since coming to the Mission, I am filled with hope.” Mila and her son, Caesar, came to City Mission with no hope. When they moved out of City Mission, Mila had a job and she and her son had their very own home. President and CEO Diana Irey Vaughan commented on the significance of the annual impact, “City Mission continually measures the impact we are making in the lives of our residents and the community. Our mission to share Christ, to shelter, to heal, and to restore the homeless to independent living—without discrimination. Mila is just one example of the impact of the City Mission. With the opening of Sally’s Sanctuary, our new 50-bed women’s shelter, in 2025, our annual community impact will grow significantly.” City Mission is standing up for those who have lost all hope, but they need the support of the community in order to continue the relentless work of bringing hope to the homeless. You can help! Over the course of the next year, there will be many opportunities to support City Mission. To find out more about how you can help City Mission fulfill the growing need within the community, visit www.citymission.org.

The Costs of Homelessness

homeless man asking for help
October 31, 2024

Homelessness is a challenge that goes far beyond those who lack a place to call home. After seeing a gradual decline for over a decade, 2022 marked a 12% increase in homeless individuals across the United States. In 2023, while homelessness in Pennsylvania actually decreased slightly, the crisis across the country experienced another uptick, reaching record high numbers. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, 2024 is trending toward the highest number of homeless since the government started tracking homelessness data in 2007. All of this applies great pressure on local communities and families and prompts many to reconsider how they view this issue. As we approach 2025, homelessness remains a growing concern, and the need for compassionate, proactive solutions is more urgent than ever. Let’s take a closer look at seven ways homelessness deeply impacts society as a whole and how City Mission is working to restore our local community. These costs to the community aren’t just financial—they affect our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, reminding us that we are all connected in our need for care and support. 1. Homelessness Takes a Toll on Physical Health When we think of homelessness, physical health often comes to mind first. Without consistent access to food, water, and shelter, individuals experience hunger, thirst, and exposure to harsh elements. Over time, this can lead to severe illness, injury, or worse. Homeless individuals are also at greater risk of assault, substance abuse, and untreated mental health issues, which further complicate their physical condition. Their vulnerability is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of caring for one another. That is why our medical clinic provides initial medical assessments for every resident, connects them to medical insurance providers, and offers them a Primary Care Physician option on campus through our partnership with Centerville Clinics. We also offer transportation to medical appointments and support with medication regimens. 2. Mental Health Struggles Are Exacerbated Mental health is a significant concern for those experiencing homelessness. Studies show that the homeless population faces twice the rate of mental illness compared to the general public. Without a stable home, individuals may grapple with feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and despair. When untreated, these emotions can spiral into chronic depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or even suicide. These mental health struggles don’t just affect individuals—they ripple out in many ways, impacting the mental wellness of the broader community. At City Mission, each of our residents has a case manager who offers love, compassion, and grace, and also helps them to identify the barriers that led them to homelessness while connecting them to resources that assist them in navigating their way through those barriers toward peace, independence, and fulfillment. 3. Economic Challenges Trap Individuals in Homelessness Each person experiencing homelessness has a unique story of how they arrived at this difficult point. For many, financial instability plays a large role. Whether due to sudden job loss or a family crisis, these situations often escalate when housing costs become unmanageable. Without a stable address or proof of income, finding a job or securing a place to live becomes an uphill battle, creating a cycle that can be incredibly difficult, even impossible without support, to break. Our Career Training and Education Center helps our residents obtain identification documents. We offer career assessments, work readiness programming, job-related certifications, as well as resume-building and job-search assistance. All in an effort to help them find meaningful careers and leave behind the financial struggles that may have contributed to their descent into homelessness. Ultimately, the outcome of this support is to create strong, courageous, and capable individuals who can give back to society in any number of ways. 4. Social Isolation Deepens the Hardship The emotional and social consequences of homelessness run deep. Families are often torn apart, leaving children to grow up without a stable home environment. Many of these children will face lifelong emotional scars from their experiences with abuse, food insecurity, foster care, extreme stress, and inconsistent education. Many homeless individuals, despite being harmless, are stigmatized as dangerous or undesirable by the general public, further alienating them from society. Laws that criminalize homelessness—by pushing people out of public spaces or forcing them to move on to other towns rather than offering help—only add to the emotional burden, making it even harder for those suffering to find their way back. At City Mission, we surround every one of our residents with love and compassion. They learn to build new relationships and re-establish broken relationships with friends and family. We also help them establish or rediscover a life-changing relationship with Christ and find a church community that can surround them with Christ’s love while creating an ongoing social and support network. 5. Strain on the Healthcare System Without regular access to preventative healthcare, homeless individuals often rely on costly emergency services to address chronic conditions, injuries, or mental health crises. Emergency rooms are not equipped to handle the long-term care these individuals require, leading to recurring visits that strain the healthcare system. This overuse of emergency services raises costs for everyone and diverts resources from others who may need urgent care. This is why our Medical Clinic is such a crucial aspect of our residents’ recovery. We educate our homeless residents about their options so that their experiences with the medical system are less overwhelming, and they are empowered to take charge of their own physical health. 6. Impact on Public Safety and Legal Systems In some cases, homelessness can unfortunately lead to criminal activity, not out of malice, but out of desperation to survive. Petty theft, drug-related offenses, or minor altercations may occur when individuals are struggling to meet their most basic needs. This situation places added pressure on law enforcement, court systems, and public safety resources, which are already stretched thin. By providing for the basic needs of our residents and showing them love and kindness, we give them the hope that they need to trust they can have a bright future. We also help connect them to resources that will assist them to navigate any past legal issues so that they don’t feel trapped by their past mistakes. 7. The Economic Impact on Communities The ripple effects of homelessness extend throughout entire communities. Homelessness can negatively affect property values, local businesses, schools, and the economy as a whole. Beyond the visible strain on public services like law enforcement and healthcare, homelessness also impacts tourism, the local job market, and the overall well-being of neighborhoods. The costs to society are significant, but they are preventable when we work together toward solutions. Successful City Mission residents graduate our program with stable housing, meaningful work, sustainable incomes, and a thriving spiritual life. They go on to become business owners or employees at local businesses. They attend local churches. They continue their education. They attend local recovery meetings and become mentors for those struggling with addiction. They lead Bible studies. They volunteer. They pay taxes. They build strong families who weave their way into the fabric of our local community. They are helping to build Washington into a recovery town, a place of hope for those who are in despair. Start Small to Make a Big Difference The true cost of homelessness goes far beyond numbers; it touches the very heart of human dignity. This is a social challenge that affects us all, whether directly or indirectly. Addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing support for those in need is not only a moral responsibility, but it’s also essential to building stronger communities. As we reflect on this issue, let’s take inspiration from the compassion Christ showed to the hurting and the hungry. He saw beyond outward appearances and recognized the inherent worth of every person. In the same way, we are called to offer help, whether through a warm meal, a kind word, or simply acknowledging the humanity of those we pass by each day. We don’t need to solve the problem alone—but we can each take small steps. Please consider donating today and help us make a difference in the lives of those seeking hope and a better future. Every donation, big or small, helps us fulfill this mission and bring light to those in need.

It Ends Here

City Mission Chapel
October 24, 2024

Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month? Unfortunately, domestic violence is much more common than you might expect. The statistics are absolutely gut-wrenching. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million people in the United States suffer from abuse every year at the hands of an intimate partner. That means that every minute, 24 people experience intimate partner violence in the US. Astoundingly, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 41% of all the women in the US have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. It's absolutely heartbreaking. Many of our residents here at City Mission have experienced domestic violence. Many actually came to the Mission to escape violent relationships. “The recent statistics regarding the correlation between domestic violence and homelessness are staggering,” said City Mission’s Manager of Women’s Services, Lisa Rotello. “It was reported that 38% of domestic violence survivors become homeless at some point in their lives. More disturbing is that 90% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives.” Here at City Mission, we’re intentionally developing partnerships with local resources to help our residents build strong and healthy relationships. Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to end domestic violence by empowering survivors, raising awareness, and creating safer communities. They are finding new and creative ways to support men and women in the community who need their services. Allison Weakland, DVSSP’s Director of Mobile Advocacy and Empowerment, recently came to City Mission to teach a domestic violence class for our residents. The thoughtfully-prepared and engaging class met once a week for six weeks. The class averaged between 15-20 women. The six sessions covered the following topics: 1. 5 Types of Abuse 2. Warning Signs 3. Barriers to Leaving 4. Tactics people use to Make you Stay in Abusive Relationships 5. What Healthy Relationships Look Like 6. Self-worth and Self-care “The staff and volunteers at DVSSP are truly the experts in the field,” said Leah Dietrich, City Mission’s Director of Residential Programs. “It’s powerful to see what they’re doing to stop the cycle of abuse. They are doing the “It Ends Here” work.” “Healthy relationships are so important for City Mission residents in their recovery,” she added. “So what DVSSP is doing for us is so crucial. We are very pleased with how everything is coming together.” DVSSP started 40 years ago with one person answering one phone. Today, they have two safe houses and serve residents in three counties. They are helping domestic violence survivors make the turn from surviving to thriving. “We try to give them the opportunity to live their best life now that they don’t have someone trying to pull them down,” said Weakland. Weakland and her Mobile Advocacy and Empowerment team provide free and confidential services to community members who have experienced domestic violence. They do awareness classes, one-on-one empowerment sessions, medical advocacy, and other services in person or virtually. They help create safety plans, gather financial resources, connect people with housing case management and trauma therapy, and help navigate through all the barriers holding people back from escaping abusive relationships or restoring their lives after experiencing abuse. DVSSP will return to City Mission regularly to conduct more 6-week classes as new residents enter our program. They are also conducting a class specifically for our male residents. The class provides an overview of domestic violence but also provides strategies for how men can get involved in preventing and ending domestic violence in their communities. “These classes,” said Rotello, “offer a direct application of tools, provide a support network, encourage the utilization of additional community services, and allow for a place of refuge and validation for people who are desperately in need of spiritual and emotional repair.” We believe that City Mission’s ongoing partnership with DVSSP will continue to produce life-change and will continue to uplift those who have survived abuse. “The classes provided by DVSSP have proven to be an integral part of our resident’s ability to build a foundation of safety, education, empowerment and resiliency,” explained Rotello. “With safety as a primary concern for our population, in general, we need to continue demonstrating the availability of compassion, support and acceptance, without discrimination, to those who experience this extremely damaging dynamic.” You can change a life. You can make a difference. Visit www.citymission.org/donate to learn how you can help the homeless and the hurting today.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.     — Isaiah 40:31