Latest news with #KeystoneMission
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wright Center prepares for upcoming Community Closet
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — With local needs on the rise, the Wright Center is preparing to host its Third Community Closet event this week in Luzerne County. People can pick out donated children's or adult-sized clothing for free on Wednesday afternoon. It's a growing necessity since the Keystone Mission just across the street announced it will close its doors due to a lack of money. Thousands of pierogies being made for church picnic For anyone interested in donating items, we have the information on how to do so on 28 22 news dot com The 'Community closet' event runs from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill OBoyle: Behrens is right, it's time to change the narrative
Jun. 21—WILKES-BARRE — This week's news that Keystone Mission will be closing two of its facilities within one month is devastating to the growing homeless population in our region. You can pontificate all you want about why so many people are in need in the area and around the country, but the fact remains that they are, indeed, struggling to survive. And organizations like Keystone Mission have to find a way to sustain their missions — for no other reason than to sustain the lives of those in need. When the news broke last week, Justin Behrens, acting executive director of Keystone Mission, spoke candidly about the situation and he called out the community at large to work together to find a resolution to the issues at hand. Behrens said that Keystone Mission has decided to shut down some operations due to a critical lack of funding and unsustainable increases in operating costs. "Despite every effort to maintain essential services for our community's most vulnerable, the rising expenses — particularly in food, shelter and staffing — have left us with no choice but to close our doors," Behrens said. Over the years, Behrens said Keystone Mission has proudly served thousands of individuals facing homelessness, poverty and crisis. He said through compassion-driven outreach, case management, and transformation-centered programming, Keystone Mission has walked alongside countless men and women on the path toward hope and self-sufficiency. "This is not the outcome any of us wanted," Behrens said. "We have fought to stay open, advocated for more support and stretched every dollar. But the financial burden has become too great." This just shouldn't be. There has got to be a way to find the funding needed to help those in need. Just to provide shelter, clothing, food, counseling — for our fellow men and women who have fallen on difficult times. While the physical locations will close, Behrens said the organization's mission will not. "Keystone Mission remains committed to ensuring that those living with homelessness are not left behind," Behrens said. "We are working closely with local partners, churches and nonprofits to transition our guests into safe housing options and connect them with vital community resources." All these "partners" need to come together and find a way for those who have lost theirs. Behrens urged community, stakeholders and supporters to come together during what he called "this transitional time." He said financial donations, resource sharing and collaboration with other service providers are more important now than ever. "The mission to end homelessness is far from over," he said. Behrens said this transition is a direct response to significant financial constraints and a decline in consistent donations over the past year. He cited rising costs, increased demand, and reduced funding. "Maintaining multiple facilities has become unsustainable — and continuing in this manner would jeopardize our ability to deliver impactful services," he said. Behrens wanted to send a clear message to the community. "This is not the end of the mission — this is a call to action," Behrens said. "Even in this moment of transition, we believe now more than ever, that our community must come together to stop placing blame on those experiencing homelessness and instead focus on lifting up our brothers, sisters, and neighbors who are facing one of life's hardest battles." Right on the money. Behrens said homelessness is not a character flaw — that it is often the result of complex circumstances — poverty, mental health struggles, job loss, or trauma. And then Behrens said this: "We must change the narrative from blame to understanding, compassion, and action." Behrens said the work of helping those in need doesn't stop because a building closes. "It continues when a neighbor cares, when a volunteer shows up, when a donor invests in second chances," he said. "We must not give up. We must not grow weary. Now is the time to be better, do more, and love deeper." Behrens passionately asks that NEPA prove that it is a community that does not turn away from the vulnerable, but walks with them toward hope. It just comes down to people helping people. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials weigh in as two homeless shelters announce closure
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Keystone Mission has announced the closure of two homeless shelters in our area. Hundreds rely on these shelters for resources like food, water, and a place to stay, but now they'll be forced to find somewhere else to go. People 28/22 News spoke with in Wilkes-Barre were emotional about the closure, but more than anything, they're worried about what it means for Wilkes-Barre's homeless population going forward. 'This place is hope. You know, it don't matter if you're alone in this world or any of it. As long as you got hope and there's a will, then there's a way,' Wilkes-Barre resident Joshua Ervin told 28/22 News. A source of hope for many will soon be a thing of the past. Keystone Mission announced early Tuesday afternoon it would be closing two shelter locations, one in Scranton, the other in Wilkes-Barre. The Wilkes-Barre location on North Pennsylvania Avenue is set to close in four weeks. Attempts to reach the mission's director were unsuccessful, but Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown says the shelter is closing due to a lack of funding. PSP searching for missing woman in Pike County 'As far as I knew, everything was fine, everything was going well over there, and then to get a phone call from another news source that said, you know, 'They're closing, Mayor, what do you think?' It's just shocking to me,' Mayor Brown said. The shelters offer resources to those in the community who need them most. From the basics like food, water, and shelter, to tools like addiction recovery and housing assistance. For one man we spoke with, these resources allowed him to get back on his feet. 'I went from being homeless, sleeping in my car, to sleeping here. And then eventually, as time progressed, I got my one job, they got my bus pass, I got my phone back active,' Ervin added. We reached out to Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti regarding the Scranton location's closure, who issued the following statement: The loss of Keystone's services is unfortunate. In Scranton, we have formed strong relationships with multiple agencies focused on assisting the unsheltered population. Our Unsheltered Action Group meets regularly. We have already been planning for next year's Code Blue and are working with service providers to fill the weekend dinner gap that Keystone leaves. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti But until those gaps are closed, many in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre will be without the resources they need to help them get back on solid ground. 'I've gotten back up on my feet enough thanks to this place where I'll- I'll be okay. Is it going to be okay for most of the people that use this place for a means to sleep? Probably not,' Ervin continued. There is no word on when the Scranton location is set to close. Keystone Mission's other Wilkes-Barre location near Sherman Hills will reportedly stay open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Easter food and basket distributions benefit at-need citizens
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An Easter tradition of giving returned to Scranton, bringing smiles, hope, and full bags to thousands of families in Lackawanna County. The annual Easter food and basket distribution, hosted by Friends of the Poor, took over the outside of the Scranton Cultural Center, welcoming everyone who came. 'This is a really important event to us because it's separate from our food pantry, it's a different type of food, and we recognize that a lot of families that are struggling and maybe don't necessarily need our food pantries, can't make ends meet to make a holiday meal,' explained Meghan Loftus, President & CEO of Friends of the Poor. Keystone Mission hopes to help homeless in new way Volunteers packed 4,000 bags of food, enough for a full Easter meal, and handed out 3,000 Easter baskets donated by the community. 'This year is really great. We have a lot of students from the local universities, we have a lot of high school students and teams, so it's great to see the younger generation coming out and realizing the importance of giving back and supporting our community,' said Loftus. The local students give the program a boost of liveliness, and they can use their experience to keep it running as the years go by. 'I think it's great because some people can't support for themselves, so like, it's just nice to give back,' West Scranton freshman Sophia Deluca said. 'I wanna give back as much as I could, you know, I think it's a great thing, it's a great feeling to have,' stated Jonathan Noll, a junior from West Scranton. For those who lined up, this event raised spirits, knowing they had everything they needed to celebrate the holiday. 'I'm really glad that the community has the opportunity to give back to the people who are less fortunate, I think it's a blessing for all,' Scranton resident Eyasu Palmore expressed. 'There's a lot of children that won't have an Easter, so I think this is very good. I think this is very good. It's helping the community, helping a lot of little children, and helping families also with the meals,' Laverne Strawder from Scranton said. From full hearts to full carts, Friends of the Poor says the mission is simple: Making sure no one feels forgotten during the holidays. 'So we want to make sure we're here for those families who just can't afford that extra bump in their grocery bill and have them have a nice holiday meal with their family and make those memories that we all get to make at Easter,' said Loftus. Supplies ran out at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Friends of the Poor is looking for new volunteers, and they're also in need of monetary donations to keep programs running. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former marine finding new path at local nonprofit
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Once a dedicated marine, Keith Estep's life was marked by discipline, duty, and the constant demands of service. But after years of combat and struggle, something deeper called to him, an unshakable yearning for peace and purpose beyond the battlefield. PA Live! Co-host Chris Bohinski shares the inspiring story of a man whose journey from the military to faith transformed not only his life, but the lives of countless others. In a world often divided by hardship and struggle, some choose to dedicate their lives to bringing light and hope to others. 'I used to always say God was in the passenger seat for a while because I was trying to succeed in things I was doing in the world. In the marine core, they always told me, 'When you're doing the right thing, nobody can mess with you,'' Estep said. But it wasn't just the battles fought on the frontlines that would define his life, 'When I found this church, that's when it rejuvenated my faith and spirit and, you know, put God first,' Estep continued. Meet Keith Estep, a former marine whose service to his country, shaped him in ways he never imagined, especially with his faith, something he learned from his other great-grandfather Bishop Hamilton. Black participation rising in the sport of hockey 'My grandfather, he was in the army. I actually have his purple heart recipient for my great-grandfather on my mom's side, Bert Zimmerman. When you read your bible, it edifies you in ways not just doing the wrong thing, but even the good things you want to do,' Estep explained. Keith leaned on those role models and faith when he returned from serving our country. 'Both of my grandfathers were the biggest leaders on both sides of my family, the way our whole family came around them,' Estep added. After moving from Berwick to Wilkes-Barre, Keith found his true purpose at Keystone Mission's Luzerne County location, an overnight shelter, providing not just food, but compassion and empathy. 'He interacts with us. He builds relationships,' said, Keith's friend, Anayia Lovell. He reminds them that their worth is far greater than their circumstances. 'Keith extends for people. They see that about him. He extends his love for people,' Lovell stated. Now, Mount Zion Baptist Church is starting to take notice as well. Scranton chef named World Rice Champion 'That bridge, that conduit of trust between the church and Keystone is Keith,' Cyrus Solomon with Mount Zion Baptist Church explained. 'One day, he took us. We literally walked to Mount Zion,' added Lovell. With daily bible studies and encouragement groups, Keith's reach is growing. 'I had never been to church, when I did go and felt that, I was like, 'Yeah, I got to keep going,'' voiced Lovell. Keith reminds us all of the power of faith, compassion, and community. 'Keith is going to be somebody, that sounds like Jesse Jackson. He's going to be somebody. He's going to be a preacher. He's going to be somewhere he's affecting people. He will have his hand on the pulse of the community and we'll say, 'That's Keith,' and he's doing what he said he'll be doing',' explained Deacon Wayne Whitaker Sr., Mount Zion Baptist Church. 'Yeah, I love that church. I love it. When I came here, I wasn't a religious person,' Lovell said. 'I think my service to other people is my relationship with Jesus,' expressed Estep. 28/22 News is so honored to share his own chapter in the ongoing story of Black history. Keith's next chapter includes a boxing gym he'll open in the spring in Wilkes-Barre where he will focus on youth programs for both boys and girls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
