Urban Mission Ministries Inc

URBAN MISSION MINISTRIES IS A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FOOD, SHELTER, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE LOW-INCOME POPULATION OF THE OHIO VALLEY.

THE URBAN MISSION OPERATES THE LARGEST FOOD PANTRY IN THE OHIO VALLEY. IN 2021, THE PANTRY HOSTED 27,303 SERVICE VISITS AND SERVED MORE THAN 2,430 FAMILIES, 457 MORE FAMILIES THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. THROUGH THE PANTRY, 565,505 MEALS WERE PROVIDED, AND 2.5 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD WERE DISTRIBUTED. IN ADDITION TO A FOOD PANTRY, THE URBAN MISSION PROVIDES (1) HOT MEALS FOR THE COMMUNITY, WITH MORE THAN 10,000 MEALS SERVED EACH YEAR, A (2) SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM WITH 140 SENIORS RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD MONTHLY, AND A (3) SUMMER MOBILE FOOD PANTRY, WHERE OVER 800 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON COUNTY RECEIVE FRESH FOOD ON A WEEKLY BASIS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS. CURRENT GOALS INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF THE FOOD PANTRY, NOW KNOWN AS THE FRESH MARKET, THE INTRODUCTION OF NUTRITION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMMING, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTHY FOOD HUB, WHERE HEALTHY FOOD IS GROWN AND DISTRIBUTED ONSITE AND WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

THE URBAN MISSION OPERATES AN EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND MENTORING PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO EXPERIENCE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. EDUCATION, HANDS-ON TRAINING THROUGH THE URBAN MISSIONS WAREHOUSE, THRIFT STORE, AND KITCHEN, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES COUPLED WITH SUPPORT FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND AREA EMPLOYERS ENABLES THE URBAN MISSION TO PARTNER WITH UNDEREMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS LIVING THROUGHOUT THE OHIO VALLEY. CURRENT GOALS INCLUDE THE RENOVATION OF A 20,800 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN STEUBENVILLE, WHICH WILL SERVE AS THE HOMEBASE FOR THE URBAN MISSIONS EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM.

THE URBAN MISSION OPERATES THE ONLY 24-HOUR, EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER SYSTEM WITHIN A FOUR-COUNTY RADIUS. WITH SHELTERS SPECIFIC TO MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES, THE URBAN MISSION SERVES MORE THAN 500 HOMELESS ADULTS AND CHILDREN EACH YEAR. AT AN URBAN MISSION SHELTER, GUESTS RECEIVE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO ASSIST IN LOCATING PERMANENT HOUSING, A STEADY INCOME, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SPIRITUAL CARE SERVICES, LIFE SKILLS CLASSES, AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO SHELTER GUESTS. IN 2021, OUR SHELTERS SERVED 314 ADULTS (42 18-25 YEARS OLD) AND 66 CHILDREN. CURRENT GOALS INCLUDE EXPANDING PROGRAMMING FOR SHELTER GUESTS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT BY OFFERING TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER (NCDC) WAS ESTABLISHED TO RESPOND TO THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN 2021, NCDC OFFERED PROGRAMS RANGING FROM LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENTS SUCH AS MINORITY HEALTH MONTH AND ANNUAL CANCER SCREENINGS. NCDC ALSO HOSTED ITS ANNUAL COAT AND SHOE GIVE-A-WAY, A BACK-TO-SCHOOL CELEBRATION AND A CHRISTMAS TOY DISTRIBUTION FOR AREA CHILDREN. TWO ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT FALL UNDER NCDC ARE THE URBAN MISSION'S JOSHUA HOME REPAIR PROGRAM AND THE URBAN MISSION'S WEEKLY WORSHIP SERVICE, KNOWN AS MISSION REJOICE.