Homelessness isn’t just a problem that exists in large cities. It exists here too, quietly, sometimes invisibly, within our small towns, neighborhoods, and even our communities.

In Tioga County, we saw it. And in 2011, we chose not to look away. What began as humble conversations among a few concerned citizens and church members grew into something far greater. It became a mission rooted in compassion, driven by faith, and strengthened by hope.

We didn’t begin with a shelter. We didn’t begin with funding. We began with belief, the belief that no one in our county should have to sleep outside, especially in the cold.

The First Steps

In January 2011, we started gathering in small rooms around Mansfield, asking how we could help our homeless neighbors. We had no money, no property, and no staff. But we had hearts that couldn’t ignore what we were seeing.

We wondered: since churches already keep their buildings heated through the winter, what if they opened their doors at night?

Eight churches stepped forward to say yes. That Thanksgiving week, we opened our first seasonal shelter. From November through March, each church hosted guests for one week, providing not just a warm place to sleep but also a hot meal, breakfast, and overnight supervision.

By the time the season ended on March 30, 2012, we had sheltered seven people. A few days later, a fire in Covington displaced a family of ten. One of our partner churches took them in. That moment made one thing clear: homelessness isn’t just a winter issue. It’s a year-round reality.

A Permanent Shelter

Throughout the summer of 2012, we did what we could. We handed out tents, paid for campsites, and covered occasional motel stays. We also began working toward a long-term solution, a central shelter that could serve the county beyond the winter season.

That summer, someone offered us a rental home in Whitneyville. Located near the center of Tioga County, it was the perfect location. Even though we had little to work with, we took a leap of faith.

Once again, the support came.

Laurel Health Systems, after closing a youth facility in Blossburg, donated nearly everything we needed: beds, sofas, tables, dressers, a washer, a dryer, and more. Shell Appalachia contributed funds to cover rent and utilities. Our churches committed to regular support. We even received a van to help transport guests.

With those blessings, we opened a permanent shelter that fall. No more weekly rotations. Now guests had one place to turn for safety and support. That year, we served 41 individuals.

Becoming a Year-Round Shelter

By 2013, we could feel the weight of the work on our volunteers, especially those covering overnight shifts. That summer, Shell Appalachia encouraged us to apply for more funding, and Tioga County Commissioners suggested we apply for PHARE funds. But the breakthrough came when Experience Works, a statewide training program for low-income seniors, offered paid overnight staff.

That November, we transitioned into a year-round shelter.

Churches continued to provide evening meals, breakfast provisions, and supervision from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. We introduced a weekly Bible study, which became a welcome part of life at the shelter. We also brought on a full-time case manager and Director of Operations to help guests find employment and permanent housing.

Our work had become more than just emergency relief. We were helping people rebuild their lives.

Growth and Gratitude

Each year, the number of people we served grew:

• In 2013, we sheltered 85 people

• In 2014, 114

• In 2015, 120

• In 2016, 124

• In 2017, 135

• By 2018, we sheltered 160 people

Every number represented a story. A name. A person seeking shelter, hope, and healing.

In 2019, we were joined by a volunteer caseworker who worked without pay for the entire year. In 2020, anonymous donors stepped in to provide her with a salary. As our operations grew, so did our commitment to serving with dignity and care.

COVID-19 and a New Reality

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, we had to reimagine how we operated. To keep everyone safe, we limited volunteer access inside the shelter. Churches shifted to donating food in raw form, and our guests began preparing their own meals.

To store food safely, we were gifted a 52-foot trailer, since the shelter lacked pantry space. We also made the decision to keep guests indoors throughout the day, reducing their exposure to the virus and protecting the broader community.

Even after pandemic restrictions eased, our church partners did not return to their previous volunteer shifts. Yet the shelter continued, adapting to meet new challenges without losing sight of our purpose.

Building a True Home

Eventually, we purchased the property at 2580 Charleston Road. At first, we hoped to renovate the existing structure, but inspections revealed it wasn’t a sustainable solution. A new facility would be more economical, accessible, and welcoming.

Plans were made for a fully handicap-accessible building on a single floor, complete with office space, shelter rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas for children, and proper storage facilities.

In 2019, we launched a Capital Campaign and raised $300,000. Though the pandemic paused our efforts, we resumed in 2021 with $600,000 in hand. Rising costs pushed our new estimate to $1.5 million, but we pressed on, determined to finish debt-free.

Construction began in June 2022. Contractors built the outer shell and roof, while volunteers worked on the interior throughout 2023, installing walls, electrical systems, plumbing, and insulation.

By early 2024, we had entered the final phase: sanding, painting, and preparing to open our doors to a new chapter.

To this day, not a single dollar has been borrowed to fund the new building. Every nail, every coat of paint, every foot of wire has been paid for through generosity, faith, and community effort.

A Decade of Transformation

As of 2024, the Tioga County Homeless Initiative has served 1,273 individuals and families.

We started with a simple desire: to keep people from freezing on cold winter nights. What we’ve become is something much more. We are a place where people find hope. Where dignity is restored. Where lives begin again.

This has never been about numbers or headlines. It has always been about people. Each person who walked through our doors mattered. Each one still does.

We didn’t wait for perfect conditions to begin. We simply said yes. And that yes, has grown into a community of care that continues to serve, to love, and to believe that everyone deserves a place to call home.