at a church alter

Hope for the
Homeless
In Southwestern PA since 1941

Ways to Help

Read About
Patrick's Success Story

READ MORE
city mission suzanne's success story

Please Support Us Today
$25 Provides 10 Meals

Donate Today
city mission chapel
City Mission Intro
City Mission is a faith-based homeless shelter dedicated to providing hope, healing, and support to individuals in need, from Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. Guided by our mission, City Mission exists to share Christ, to shelter, to heal, and to restore the homeless to independent living - without discrimination.

Donate

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

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.
Thrift Store Info

Volunteer

City Mission has numerous volunteer opportunities. Sign up today!
Learn More
An invitation to help
Learn more about City Mission

Who we are

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More
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
0
Meals
icon - shelter
0
Nights of Shelter
icon - number of residents
0
People Served
icon - medical services
0
Medical Services
See More Stats

What Our Residents Say

Latest News from the Mission

Our News Articles provide information on all manner of topics related to the City Mission.  Our Subject areas include:  Mission Highlights; Resident Stories; and Rescue Line Newsletters.  Mission Highlights engages a host of topics regarding homelessness, addiction, poverty and City Mission information.  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!

Eugene Shares How Your Support Gives Him Hope.

Eugene sitting on the steps at City Mission.
September 9, 2025

Looking back, Eugene remembers his younger years being filled with structure and opportunity. He’d attended a residential school that emphasized discipline and personal development. When he graduated and returned home, however, Eugene felt the absence of boundaries and guidance. “I went from being surrounded by mentors to being totally on my own,” he recalls. “I was naïve and fell in with the wrong crowd.” Soon, he was introduced to drugs and alcohol. By his mid-twenties, Eugene was struggling to navigate life. When he was introduced to more powerful substances, his life began to spiral. “I didn’t understand addiction,” he admits. “My drug use became a horrible obsession.” Over the years, Eugene cycled through periods of stability followed by relapse. Even when he had housing or a job, it never lasted. “Whenever I had a roof over my head, I was always on the verge of losing it.” Eugene’s darkest moment came when he was facing eviction again. “I was tired and spiritually broken. I had no desire to use anymore… but I had no idea how to stop,” he shares. Eugene remembered the Mission from years before and made a clear decision: “That’s where I wanted to go and get help.” “The Mission provided an atmosphere of serenity – the perfect place to heal.” Eugene promised himself he’d stay at the Mission for a full year – a level of commitment he’d never experienced. Since then, he’s found not only sobriety, but healing. Here, he’s been able to rehabilitate after knee surgery, give back by serving others in the kitchen and take on leadership as a dorm assistant. “I’ve learned I feel most like myself when I’m giving instead of taking,” he smiles. Now, Eugene sees the path ahead as a peaceful one. “I used to think going after material things would make me happy,” he said. “I’m chasing serenity now.” Your gifts are bearing fruit in the lives of people like Eugene. Now, his heart is full of hope this fall... thanks to your kindness! “City Mission saves lives. I know because it saved mine.”

Grand Opening!

City Mission Thrift Store in Canonsburg
July 3, 2025

On Tuesday, July 8, City Mission will be hosting a Grand Opening for our newest City Mission Thrift Store located at 36 East Pike Street in Canonsburg. The Grand Opening ceremony will be held at 9:00am at the new store. The ceremony will include a prayer of dedication, a ribbon-cutting, refreshments, raffle baskets, and store discounts for shoppers. About a year ago, City Mission had to close its former Canonsburg location. Fortunately, they have been able to relocate to a different building just down the road. Lisa Scamazzi, a long-time friend, supporter, and volunteer at the Mission has been instrumental in helping the new store get up and running. “The City Mission Thrift Store is one of our flagship stores in downtown Canonsburg,” Scarmazzi said. “We are so excited about this new location. It’s going to be transformational in town. The setup is wonderful. The people are wonderful. Folks that come in are going to be completely surprised by the quality and the items that are there.”All of the proceeds from City Mission’s seven Thrift Stores support the life-changing programs and services for the homeless residents at the Mission. “You can go to our Thrift Stores and donate your unneeded items,” said City Mission President and CEO, Diana Irey Vaughan. “Through our best stewardship, we resell those items and then that money can help us continue the life-transformational programming that takes place on our campus at City Mission.”Visit www.citymission.org/stores for more information about City Mission’s Thrift Store operations.

Jennifer knows she is not alone…

Jennifer at City Mission
June 13, 2025

Jennifer is still reeling from the devastating end of her marriage. For years, she and her husband were caught in a spiral of drug use and partying. Then, Jennifer got clean, but her husband was still using. When she became pregnant, she was forced to leave everything behind – even her jewelry and her mom’s wedding dress – but she was determined to build a better life for her baby. She brought her son to City Mission when he was just two weeks old so she could provide him with a loving, stable home. “My first couple of days here were scary, but there was a lot of love and support. Just an overwhelming amount of hugs and praise.” Jennifer quickly learned to turn to the other women and moms at the shelter for help as she discovered how to navigate life with a baby. “If it wasn’t for the angels on staff here at City Mission, we wouldn’t be here today. Now I have a beautiful village.” Every day, Jennifer continues to build her confidence and skills through our classes and mentorship. “They have helped me with self-esteem and given me grace – taught me to be less judgmental.” Her faith has grown and she was newly baptized to celebrate her renewed commitment to the Lord. “I’ve had a lot of awakenings and moments where I’m just in awe. Like God is really real.” Today, Jennifer is a Resident Assistant, guiding other women and helping them get adjusted to life at City Mission. She is happy to share the grace and guidance she’s been given with others to support them along their journey. Thank you for loving neighbors like Jennifer “as you’ve loved yourself.” Your kindness has reminded her that she is not alone and that a better life is possible! “This has genuinely been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I’m finding myself and loving myself again.”

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