News and Musings:
Monday, January 16, 2012 MLK Day Of Service We are so thankful for 150 or so volunteers who came to serve with us at BHA, and with our partners Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren and Danzante Community Arts Center, on MLK Day of Service. Between our three agencies we had groups from Messiah Village, Christian Life Assembly, Messiah College, JT Dorsey Foundation, Metro Bank and others...thanks everyone!  A good time was had by all...even those picking up trash and leaves as part of our Adopt-A-Block efforts.
 Bill and others helped with construction in the Diener House.
 This volunteer helped spruce up an entry way to one of our properties.
 We gathered in the fellowship hall of First Church of the Brethren for lunch between a morning and afternoon of hard work. Here Steve Schwartz (left) and Duane Shearer, the Executive Directors of BHA and Danzante (respectively), share about our partnership in the community.
More MLK Day Of Service Highlights are available in our Facebook Photo Gallery. (You don't need to be a Facebook member to view.) Posted by Steve Schwartz (1/16/2012 3:16:50 PM | link)
Friday, December 23, 2011 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Through your support,
you give the gift of HOPE to families in crisis.
Thank you for sharing your love
with the Brethren Housing Association Family.
We wish you and your loved ones
a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
From the staff and participants at BHA 
Posted by Steve Schwartz (12/23/2011 6:05:10 PM | link)
Thursday, December 15, 2011 Celebrate Amanda's journey with us! Christmas 2011 Dear Friend of BHA,
"Life offers no fulfillment without work."
I read this phrase about halfway through Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How To Reverse It). While tucked away in the middle of a paragraph, it stood out to me.
 Amanda recalls "for the first time in my life I was providing for myself and Jasmine..." This Christmas, celebrate Amanda's journey with us!
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Some of my mentors might quibble with the absolute nature of this statement, especially as they challenge me to find balance with down time and prayer. But within the context of our work at BHA, it makes perfect sense.I know the joy found in meaningful work. In providing for my family. In getting my college degree. In being able to give of my time and money in service to others out of my abundance. Over the years, I've seen many women also find this great joy...the satisfaction of working hard to build a brighter future for their children. Amanda is one such woman. ...continue reading "Celebrate Amanda's journey with us!"... Posted by Steve Schwartz (12/15/2011 3:00:45 PM | link)
Friday, December 09, 2011 Thank You, GHAR! Today Steve Schwartz attended the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) annual holiday luncheon. At the luncheon BHA was presented with a check from the Greater Harrisburg Realtors Foundation for $1,000 toward the renovation of the Diener House. Thanks, GHAR, for investing in our work! 
Posted by Steve Schwartz (12/9/2011 4:02:41 PM | link)
Thursday, December 08, 2011 Welcome, Crystal
I am excited to introduce you to Crystal Baxter, our new Program Director. This is a new position created through our 20/20 Vision Campaign. Crystal provides program oversight, supervises all program staff, monitors program outcomes and benchmarks, and works directly with participant families in achieving their goal plans. Crystal has a B.A. from West Chester University and a M.A. in Social Work from Temple University with a concentration in management and planning. She resides in the city of Harrisburg and attends Faith Chapel Church of God in Christ, also in the city, where her father is the pastor. Welcome to the BHA family, Crystal! Posted by Steve Schwartz (12/8/2011 1:26:28 PM | link)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Thank You, Graystone! Special thanks to Graystone Bank's downtown Harrisburg branch for the recent sub sale fundraiser they held for us. They raised over $1,300! Thanks Graystone, we appreciate all you do.  The Graystone Bank downtown Harrisburg branch team drops off the proceeds from their fundraiser for BHA
Posted by Steve Schwartz (11/22/2011 9:12:51 AM | link)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 We're Getting Excited for Nov. 3 and 4!
Nov. 3 Banquet Update Now you can register on-line for the BHA Ministry Celebration Banquet featuring Robert Lupton and Dred Scott. Click the button to the right to order your tickets, select your meals and/or choose a sponsorship level. Nov. 4 Workshop
While Dr. Robert Lupton is in town, we want to wrestle with the ideas he presents in his new book Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How To Reverse It), so join us for...
DOING CHARITY RIGHT A Workshop for Church and Community Leaders
WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:
Dr. Robert Lupton
Founder and President, FCS Urban Ministries of Atlanta, Georgia AND Author of Theirs In The Kingdom, Renewing The City, and Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life Also joining us for a panel discussion:
(Dr. Lupton’s and Rev. Schwartz’s books will be available for purchase) Dr. Lupton and our panel guests will challenge and inspire us to understand more deeply what faithful service means in Harrisburg and your community. This will be a time to process together:
- How we reach out in ways that are effective and life-changing
- How we affirm dignity and promote self-sufficiency in our programming
- How we avoid dependency and other unintended side effects from our efforts
Held Friday, November 4, 2011 from 8:30am-1:00pm at Harrisburg Brethren In Christ Church, 2217 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104. Cost: $10/person with group discounts available. For more details or to register, see our Events page or download our registration flyer (PDF, 184k). Posted by Steve Schwartz (10/25/2011 11:28:41 PM | link)
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