Keystone Mission opens new Innovation Center for Homeless & Poverty

WILKES-BARRE — Mayor George Brown on Thursday said it’s a dream that took four years to come true.

Brown was speaking at Thursday grand opening of Keystone Mission’s new Innovation Center for Homeless & Poverty at the Thomas C. Thomas Building, 90 E Union St.

“This process started four years ago when I first became mayor,” Brown said. “And the dream finally came true. And now, people in need will have a place to go.”

Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director of Keystone Mission, said the new center will act as an educational and hands-on facility for men and women experiencing homelessness in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Keystone Mission is a 501 (c)(3) faith-based nonprofit that assists “homeless, hungry, and hurting people” in the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton areas.

The new facility will provide a place to receive meals, clothing, shower access, and the ability to meet with community service providers to collaborate with to meet health needs — both physical and mental — plus housing, addictions counseling, job training and job placement.

“We are grateful for the opportunity and the ability to reach more of the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Wilkes-Barre,” Keith-Alexandre said. “We look forward to forging more partnerships and inviting the community to join us as we seek to provide help and hope where it’s needed in our community.”

Keith-Alexandre also said the new center is being set up to host the seasonal Code Blue Emergency Shelter. She said 50 cots will be available for homeless men, women and families to sleep during the coldest days of winter.

This is Keystone Mission’s second location in Wilkes-Barre, after opening their Male Transformation Center for homeless men last year on Parkview Circle.

Mayor Brown thanked Joe Rinkus of LHC Construction Management for the work his company did to re-purpose the building.

Brown said the building was purchase for $300,000, with the city using $200,000 of its American Rescue Plan money and he credited Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski for securing the additional $100,000 in state funding.

“That’s what this is all about,” Pashinski said. “Giving people hope — giving people a second chance. People who are down and out.”

Pashinski said the new center will provide education and other support for people in need to be successful.

City Council Member Tony Brooks and City Zoning Director Bill Harris also attended the ceremony.

For more information on Keystone Mission and its programs, visit www.keystonemission.org or call 570-871–4795.