The Lehigh Conference Of Churches

DRIVEN BY FAITH TO BRING HEALING, HOUSING AND HOPE TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY'S MOST VULNERABLE, THE MISSION OF THE LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES IS TO UNITE COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AS ECUMENICAL PARTNERS. PUTTING OUR FAITH INTO ACTION, WE MINISTER TO AND ADVOCATE FOR THOSE IN NEED AND ENCOURAGE ALL TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

PATHWAYS HOUSING SERVICES' GOAL IS TO SERVE AS A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS WITH AN ARRAY OF RELATED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED TO FIND, AND MAINTAIN, AFFORDABLE AND SAFE HOUSING. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SPREAD ACROSS A CONTINUUM OF NEED AND INCLUDE: COORDINATED INTAKE/ASSESSMENT, HOMELESS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, HUD-BASED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, COUNTY CLEARINGHOUSE PROGRAMS, RAPID REHOUSING, AND HOMELESS PREVENTION/REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SERVICES. GENERALLY SPEAKING, PATHWAYS' AVAILABLE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH TOILETRIES, DIAPERS, BUS PASSES, MONEY MANAGEMENT, AND FILING OUT GOVERNMENT FORMS. PATHWAYS ALSO ADVOCATES FOR CLIENTS' NEEDS AND PROVIDES REFERRALS WHEN NEEDED.

LAZARUS HOUSE: THE LAZARUS HOUSING PROGRAM OFFERS SHARED HOUSING FOR ADULTS RE-ENTERING THE COMMUNITY FOLLOWING INCARCERATION. THE LAZARUS HOUSE HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DEVELOPING SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND REDUCING THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO PRISON.THIS SHARED-LIVING PROGRAM ADDRESSES THREE BARRIERS ADULTS RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON OFTEN FACE: (1) INSUFFICIENT INCOME TO AFFORD AN APARTMENT ON THEIR OWN; (2) THE ABSENCE OR ESTRANGEMENT OF FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE PROVIDE A PLACE TO LIVE; AND (3) A LACK OF THE SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND REDUCE FUTURE ARRESTS.

HEALTH SERVICES: OUR HEALTH PROGRAMS CONNECT OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED TO ESSENTIAL CARE, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, PUBLIC BENEFIT ENROLLMENT, HEALTH SCREENING AND CONNECTIONS TO MEDICAL PERSONNEL. ON SITE, PROFESSIONAL CARE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

SUPPORT SERVICES: WE OFFER A MYRIAD OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE. UNIQUELY EQUIPPED STAFF MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE STEPS TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH MONEY MANAGEMENT, JOB READINESS, BENEFIT ENROLLMENT, SECURING AN ID, AND APARTMENT HUNTING. CONFERENCE KITCHEN: THE CONFERENCE KITCHEN ENSURES THAT THE WORKING POOR, HOMELESS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN, PEOPLE BETWEEN JOBS, INDIVIDUALS ON FIXED INCOMES, AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN CAN RECEIVE A FREE NUTRITIOUS MEAL, THREE TIMES A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK.DROP-IN CENTER: THE DROP-IN CENTER IS AN ACCEPTING PLACE FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, AND SELF-EMPOWERMENT. LOCKERS, SHOWERS, CLOTHING, ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, AND TRAINED CASE WORKERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO ATTEND. OUTREACH: THE OUTREACH TEAM TRAVELS THROUGHOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY TO CONNECT WITH THOSE LIVING UNSHELTERED, TO PROVIDE SUPPLIES AND BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS. WE ALSO WORK ALONGSIDE THOSE SEEKING A CHANGE IN THEIR SITUATION AND EXPLORE PERMANENT HOUSING OPTIONS.