BETTER LIFE

Building Connections for a

BETTER LIFE

We are social workers who help
to build connections with those in
our community.

About Us
COMMUNITY

For a stable and thriving

COMMUNITY

Serving the Northwest region of
Lancaster County

Our Services
POVERTY

Interrupting the cycle of

POVERTY

Our staff walks alongside individuals to offer
support, teach them a variety of skills that will
enable them to gain stability in their lives,
and equip them with the necessary tools
to be successful.

Our Programs
DIFFERENCE

You can make a

DIFFERENCE

Give and volunteer to help
the families that need our services.

Volunteer

Meeting a Need

A Journey of Faith and Hope

Elizabethtown is located in the western fringes of rural Lancaster County, and until 2016 our community was devoid of centralized social services. This need became apparent in December 2015, and the faith community responded by opening an emergency winter shelter at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Just two months after opening its doors, a team of five submitted a grant to start a local social services agency that birthed Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS) in July 2016. Our growing organization owes our thanks to Elizabethtown College, who served as the fiscal agent of ECHOS until the agency was awarded a 501(c)3 status.

 

Since July 2016, ECHOS has become a strong social services center serving the northwest region of Lancaster County. Currently there are fourteen (14) programs and interventions with sixteen (16) staff focusing on client-centered, trauma-informed practices to assist individuals and families in need of stability. We believe that a community is stronger when all members are stronger and provided the supports needed to be successful.

2181

people served since ECHOS began

2017

hours of case advocacy

in previous fiscal year

1572

volunteer shifts to run the winter shelter

123

in-kind gifts

Female Neighbor Helping Senior Woman With Shopping

Our Mission

Mobilize communities to provide services that prevent and alleviate poverty and empower stability in our neighbors.

Father and his daughter laughing and playing outside.

Our Vision

Create a stable, thriving community.

What We Do

Our Programs and Services

Family and Individual Supportive Services

Information and Resources

Eviction Prevention and Diversion

Emergency Shelter Programs

Housing Stability Programs

Job Readiness and Workforce Development

Youth Crisis Counseling and Interventions

Community Education and Collaboration

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Read Latest Posts

Our Blog

  • 06 Nov 30 in 3 Giving Event

    Last September, ECHOS held its first annual One Community, Many Neighbors Celebration to raise the necessary funds for continuing services. This yea...

  • 16 Oct Winter Shelter 2020-2021

    ECHOS provides a warm, dry, safe place for homeless families and individuals of Elizabethtown, Bainbridge, Rheems, Marietta, Maytown and Mount Joy to...

  • 02 Oct Groundbreaking at Community Place on Washington

    Elizabethtown — August 11, 2020 — United Churches Elizabethtown Area (UCEA) announced today that it will hold a groundbreaking event Friday, Sept...

  • 22 Sep Promo for 30 in 3 Giving Event

    ...

  • 07 Aug ECHOS 4th Anniversary

    July 1st marks the beginning of a “new” year for many nonprofit organizations; for Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS...

  • 06 Aug PPL Foundation Funding

    Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS) is honored to be a first-time recipient of funding from the PPL Foundation. These fou...

Build connections in your community by volunteering with ECHOS today!

Volunteer