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, and in response, local leaders opened an emergency winter shelter at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in December 2015. Just two months after opening its doors, a team of five community advocates submitted a grant to start a local social services agency that established 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 eighteen (18) programs, interventions, and resources with fifteen (15) 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.