Groundbreaking held for Agape Safe Haven

The dream of an $8.5 million shelter for women, their children and seniors at the Lebanon Rescue Mission took a huge step Thursday, March 12, towards becoming a reality. 

Mission representatives and numerous project officials turned over shovels of wet turf during a groundbreaking ceremony for Agape Safe Haven, which will be located directly across from the mission’s headquarters in the 1200 block of Bittner Blvd., Lebanon.

“A very heartfelt thank you to the leadership team at the Lebanon Rescue Mission,” said Susan Blouch, CEO and executive director of Lebanon Rescue Mission, during comments to about 100 gathered guests. ”They never stop dreaming, they never stop praying, and they are truly a dream team. To God be the glory, Agape Safe Haven, will be a testament to what God and his people can do when nothing is impossible and everything is left in his hands.”

Following the groundbreaking on a cold and windy day, Blouch said work is scheduled to begin by the end of the month with a planned opening by April 2027. 

There will be 40 total bedrooms with 16 designated for seniors and the rest for women and their children who will occupy just under 200 available beds, she said.

Blouch said capacity at the existing shelters has exceeded available space.

“Actually, over this past winter with so much cold weather, we ran 30% over occupancy. We often had as many as 75 in a building that really should sleep 55. So there’s no less need today than ever. We will have 40 rooms in the new facility, 103 beds, which will give us a total for men, women with children and seniors of 185 beds altogether.” 

Part of the structure will be one floor and a portion will contain two floors. 

“We will have some rooms that are adjoined on each floor. So if we have a woman that has five children, we can open up those rooms into an adjoining room so that they have room for the whole family,” Blouch said after noting that the expansion will triple current capacity. “Originally, the need for the expansion was for women with children. But over the last two years, we’ve seen this explosion of senior homelessness.”

That led mission leadership to make a pivotal decision while this project was in its early stages.

“We knew we had to do a building that would meet both of those needs. Which is why originally, it was gonna be a one-story building. and we eventually decided while we were doing it, we were gonna put up a bigger building and put a second floor on to meet (the needs of) both populations,” added Blouch.

Located at 1250-1310 Bittner Blvd. in the former Goodman Vending property, Blouch said construction will last 12 months and cost approximately $6.5 million. Purchase of the property, all-site and environmental studies, permitting, architecture & engineering fees, equipment, and shelter furnishings will run another $2 million.

The project is being funded by the sale of two former LRM properties at the corner of Ninth and Walnut streets in Lebanon and private donations. A total of $5 million of the expected $8.5 million has been raised through Thursday with a major financial boost coming earlier this week. 

“I received a phone call from a donor that pledged $1 million,” Blouch told LebTown afterwards. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of call.”

Another boost to the project’s financing occurred in late February when the mission was awarded a $1.5 million grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.

“This grant represents more than funding. It represents hope,” Blouch stated in a press release provided to the media about the grant that was awarded on Feb. 20. “The Agape Safe Haven expansion will significantly increase Lebanon Rescue Mission’s capacity to serve individuals experiencing homelessness by providing structural housing, supportive services, medical care access, and faith-based restoration programming.”

Blouch noted that a majority of the funds needed to make the shelter possible was raised in less than one year.

Max Meyers, men’s ministry director, summed up the feelings of many involved with the project during the opening invocation for the program, which occurred indoors due to the cold and windy weather and prior to other comments from various dignitaries.

“Father, we are so blown away by your abundant grace towards the Lebanon community through the Ministry of the Lebanon Rescue Mission over the past 80 years. Father, we look forward and with eager expectation to see the transformation that will take place in the very place that we are standing right now,” Meyers said. “The children who will receive security, the women who will receive shelter and love and care for senior citizens. And father, it’s so much more than just a meal in the bed; we will see life change happen here because of who you are.”

Karen Groh, president of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, who served as event master of ceremonies spoke of community involvement. Similar sentiments were echoed by state Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48). Groh also serves on the mission’s board of directors.

“I think she really said it best when she talked about this community and how supportive this community is for the people in need. And it always has been something that I’ve taken great pride in being part of this Lebanon community because we do rally to each other’s needs when that time arises,” Gebhard said. “And the rest of the mission has certainly been one of those pillars in that whole process.”

All three Lebanon County Commissioners attended the ceremony, with Jo Ellen Litz noting its been her privilege to watch the mission grow while commissioner Mike Kuhn mentioned the mission’s good works and commissioner Bob Phillips praised the generational values of the many volunteers who help drive the mission to achieve its goals.  

Lebanon city mayor Sherry Capello said she’s proud the facility will be located within the city. 

“There is a need you’re going to be fulfilling, and I’m just so proud of you and want to do what I can to support you and your efforts to make this a reality,” Capello said.  

Blouch said the team is excited about the prospects of providing a place to call home for women, their children and seniors. 

“We are just so excited to be at this moment in time so quickly. The actual equipment in the ground should happen before the end of March, so we’re very excited about that,” she said.