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, September 11, at 4 p.m. for the area’s second social services building located at 61 East Washington Street. The new two-story, 21,000-square-foot building will expand the Community Place on Washington (CPOW) campus to further aid the community.
“This new facility will expand the ability to serve more residents here in the northwest corner of Lancaster County,” said Doug Lamb, UCEA Chaplain.
CPOW currently houses the Community Cupboard of Elizabethtown, the Clothing Barn, ECHOS’ Winter Shelter and leases office space to nonprofit agencies Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS), Elizabethtown Area Communities That Care (EACTC) and the Elizabethtown Area HUB. The new facility will expand the winter shelter to be compliant with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, increase space for enrichment services such as job skills training, career and financial counseling, an expanded computer lab and other walk-in services, provide short-term housing and create space for a future dental clinic.
ECHOS Executive Director Deb Jones stated, “The expansion is pivotal to meet the needs of under-resourced families and individuals living in the greater Elizabethtown area. In light of COVID-19, there are more community members needing assistance to navigate through this crisis in areas of housing stability, food insecurity, mental health challenges and job readiness. The services offered by various agencies at CPOW not only strengthen families but also strengthen our community.”
Officials from the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities and Elizabethtown Borough will also be present at the day’s event. Lamb reports that Lancaster County is very supportive of this project and has approved several grants to UCEA and ECHOS amounting to $875,000 by the Lancaster County Commissioners through the county’s Community Development Block Grant Program.
“With the growing demands in our community for assistance and support, this facility could not have come at a better time,” Lamb added. “The borough has been supporting this effort through planning phases and waiving certain construction fees. We hope community members will come out and celebrate an important step forward in helping families thrive in our town.”
United Churches Elizabethtown Area is a 501(c)(3) organization. The official registration and financial information of UCEA may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within PA, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.