Campaign Overview
Overview  |  Focus Area 1  |  Focus Area 2  |  Focus Area 3  |  How You Can Help

20/20 VISION CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE Co-Chairs Heather Kelly Attorney, Law Firm of Mette, Evans & Woodside Janice Ruhl Retired Chair of the Board, Ruhl Insurance Rebekah Basinger Principal, Basinger Consulting Megan Brunner Mother, BHA Graduate Woody Dalton Pastor, Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church Warren Eshbach Retired District Executive, Church of the Brethren Theresa Eshbach Independent Fundraising Counsel Alex Groff Independent Construction Contractor Paula Knudsen-Burke Attorney, Law Firm of Patterson Cody Taylor & Winter Don Kraybill Senior Fellow, Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies Wally Landes Retired Pastor, Palmyra Church of the Brethren Judd Mellinger-Blouch Marketing Director, PA Medical Society Eugenia Smith Member, Harrisburg City Council Josh Stroup Principal, QTS Performance Solutions Cynthia Wells Assistant Professor and Fellow, Ernest L. Boyer Center, Messiah College Bob Wintsch Employee Benefit Specialist, Wells Fargo Insurance Services Campaign Staff Steve Schwartz Executive Director Christopher Fitz Director of Development

“Before BHA, I was all by myself. Being in the program gave me someone to lean on, and the people were like family to me.”    — JUDITH, BHA Graduate

A GLANCE BACK: 20 Years of Building Hope 1989 BHA founded by Harrisburg First and Hanoverdale Churches of the Brethren partnering to serve the homeless with one property, caring volunteers, and the love of Christ. 1996 BHA enters into partnership with Delta Housing. BHA provides staff and funding for housing and Delta provides the same for case management. 2001 BHA hires its own support staff, dissolving Delta partnership. Board membership requirements revised to invite other church denominations into the association. 2004 BHA acquires two properties and now owns 7 of 8 residential buildings on its block, serving 8 families with transitional housing support. 2006 Bagwashi Circle initiative is launched to strengthen participant families with expanded volunteer support networks. 2008 BHA Board adopts a resolution to double the number of families served within 5 years. Ten churches are members of the association. 2010 BHA launches 20/20 Vision Campaign to double its program capacity in the face of overwhelming demand for housing and children’s services.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”    — Jeremiah 29:11

As we celebrate 20 years, we have a vision to:

1. Serve more families
2. Restore our city block
3. Invest in youth and long-term collaboration

With your support, we can turn this vision into reality so that BHA's light can continue to shine brightly on Hummel Street.

Will you JOIN US on this journey?

THE NEED
In 2009-2010, BHA had to decline services to 564 women and children because of limited capacity, a three-fold increase in need over three years.

THE VISION
Double our capacity to serve more than 20 families. Expand Transitions program for homeless families and follow-up support with the new Next Steps program. Every day 70 women, men and children will find hope and healing through the ministry of BHA.

THE RECORD
70% of women leaving our program achieve measurable success toward family stability and financial self-sufficiency. Over 21 years, more than 500 women and children have gained hope through BHA.

THE INVESTMENT: $1,510,000

READ MORE: BHA's plans for Serving More Families in detail.
 

THE NEED
Complete restoration of our city block and expand facilities to meet needs of expanded services. This provides families in our program with a stabilizing influence in a distressed neighborhood.

THE VISION
Rehabilitate two new properties. Complete the barn/laundry facility. Refurbish common green space and the community room. Create volunteer housing. Restore the northwest corner of Hummel and Mulberry Streets, improving security and expanding our capacity.

THE RECORD
Over 21 years, BHA volunteers and staff have renovated 7 buildings and 19 apartments, buildings which were in danger of blight. Through volunteer labor and donations, we typically save 50% on renovation costs.

THE INVESTMENT: $450,000

READ MORE: BHA's plans for Restoring Our City Block in detail.
 

THE NEED
Invest in youth and long-term collaboration. Breaking the cycle of poverty must start at a young age, giving children hope and care. It goes beyond treating poverty’s symptoms.

THE VISION
Impact the next generation with new children’s programs and youth mentoring. Collaborate with other organizations to overcome barriers for childcare and employment faced by many clients.

THE RECORD
BHA teams with other agencies on childcare, job training, parenting and more. BHA is already active in two local coalitions to strengthen homeless services and provide youth mentoring.

THE INVESTMENT: $290,000

READ MORE: BHA's plans for Investing in Youth and Long-Term Collaboration in detail.
 

Through these expansion efforts, we will be able to adapt our services to the diverse needs of the homeless families we serve. Up to 70 women, men and children each day will find hope through the ministry of BHA.

Invest in the 20/20 Vision:

The official registration and financial information of Brethren Housing Association may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Revised: 3/11/2013 4:02:56 PM