Justin Behrens, CEO at Keystone Mission, talks to a client during a 24-hour campaign to raise awareness about homelessness and the need for a ‘transformation center’ in Luzerne County.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — Justin Behrens, CEO/executive director at Keystone Mission, hopes that with the recent accreditation received from the National Financial Accountability Organization, comes a concerted effort to establish a permanent homeless shelter in Wilkes-Barre.
The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) announced Friday the accreditation of Keystone Mission of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. The ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship — including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising.
Behrens said Keystone Mission joins a growing number of Christ-centered churches and ministries across America, supported by more than 14.6 million donors that have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, Behrens said it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.
“We are pleased to accredit a ministry committed to transform lives through relationships by the hope of the gospel,” said Michael Martin, president of ECFA.
Founded in 2005, Behrens said Keystone Mission — http://www.KeystoneMission.org — desires to be the catalyst for the community, to provide help and hope to the homeless, hungry and hurting people in Northeast PA.
Behrens said Keystone Mission is growing in Northeast PA. From Mobile Outreach in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties to Emergency Shelter, Code Blue, to the Day Center in Scranton and the opening of the 15-bed Transformation Center in Wilkes-Barre this spring
“The men and women facing homelessness in NEPA can rely on us to provide them help and hope,” Behrens said.
Ryan Buchanan, development director for Keystone Mission, said being accredited by a national financial organization, such as ECFA, only shows the NEPA community that Keystone Mission is committed to its mission of helping men and women who are experiencing homelessness, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Behrens added, “Keystone Mission is honored to have been accredited by the ECFA. I want our donors, volunteers, community partners, and the NEPA community to understand our level of commitment. My desire is to continue building the organizations relationships with Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in order to provide the right services and resources.”
Barrens said organizations such as Keystone Mission strive to get the accreditation. He said the process has strict guidelines to follow.
“But when you receive the accreditation, it validates that we are utilizing our funding properly,” Behrens said. “It is a lengthy process and all the paperwork is reviewed and verified.”
Behrens said the accreditation will provide all donors the safety and security to give to Keystone Mission.
“This shows that we are 100 percent behind what we do and in compliance,” Behrens said. “It also shows that the money we receive goes to help the homeless.”
Behrens said in Luzerne County, Keystone Mission has seen an increase in homeless persons seeking help.
Since the city of Wilkes-Barre enacted the Code Blue program, we have seen 20 to 25 people per day,” Behrens said. And with the recent fire at Genetti’s, we have seen the numbers rising.”
The winter weather Code Blue declaration will continue through today, Mayor George Brown said Friday. Brown initially issued the Code Blue on Jan. 14. While it is in effect the Code Blue Emergency Shelter at the Calvary Bible Church, 410 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, will be open from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Keystone Mission administers the shelter program.
A Code Blue is declared when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 20 degrees or lower, or 12 inches or more of snow.
Behrens said the Code Blue proves to the city that there needs to be a permanent structure for the homeless.
“We need something in Wilkes-Barre so that we can accommodate these people and begin to transform the lives of those suffering homelessness,” Behrens said. “Those coming through our door today are not drug users — these are people who want to change their lives and move forward. We want to help them find that right direction.”
Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with the Code Blue Program, or seeking more information about it should contact Keystone Mission at 570-871-4795 Ex. 406, or by sending an email to Volunteer@KeystoneMission.org.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.