Lancaster Nonprofits and Charities

Charity begins at home. I am disabled and,1 month away from being homeless any Charity that doesn't help the downtrodden isn't really a Charity. I need training to return to the work force. C.D.L training to be specific. Can you help me before I lose my house?

It was the best experience ever when I went to Africa with them. You knew what the costs were going to be and when you had to have the money in order to get your ticket. They were up front with everything. You knew what you to bring with you, what shots you had to have, etc. They were very caring while we were on our trip, as to how you were doing health wise while we were in Africa. I enjoyed my time there. They were well prepared for the trip.

Arch Street Center fills a need that would otherwise be unmet in our community. ASC provides a place for people to conquer isolation and socialize in a safe and welcoming environment. The Center provides regular and important opportunities to engage in activities alongside caring staff and those with similar experiences.

This “rescue” is an absolute scam and needs shut down. <br> <br>We adopted a 5 month old lab pup last year, who they claimed was surrendered from an AKC breeder due to him having a hernia. The dog they had was not the same one advertised in the pictures which was the first red flag that I should not have ignored. We still liked this pup so we adopted him. <br> <br>I reached out to the vet for some more information because things weren’t adding up. If he was from an AKC breeder, where were his papers from birth? The only vet papers we had were from some vet school right before we adopted him. No records for the first 5 months of his life. The “vet” informed me that this dog came from an Amish farm, which makes sense as to why this dog is terrified of people, another thing we were lied to about. <br> <br>We’ve spent at least $1,000 on a trainer working with his reactivity and fearfulness of people thanks to this rescue and their lies. <br> <br>You all should be ashamed of yourselves. It’s people like you that make people like us never want to adopt another dog again, and purchase from an actual legit breeder instead. What you did is disgraceful. Thankfully we are better people than you and will continue to work with our dog and give him the best life he could ask for.

The Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition provides relevant information and continuing education for my staff. Coming from another position with a very fragmented system in regards to peer-based services, the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition has shown themselves to be a leader among states relating to the peer-based movement.

Originally written Early 2017<br>2 years ago-Edit<br>I have been a resident of the Glass House for over a year. When I moved in was very uncertain about where I was going. However, Carol helped me feel quite comfortable in a short time. Glass House gave me stability and a roof over my head. I could stand up and complete my degree, as of May 2017 I have earned a BA Creative Writing and English w/concentration in fiction writing. The Glass House has gone through many changes and setbacks. Therefore, with every setback lesson were learned and forward movement entailed. Every program is different as any recipient can take away whatever they put into it. For any program to work honest effort needs to be given. If you or someone you know needs stability, and a roof overhead, I recommend the Glass House.<br><br>Testimonial updated July 2019,<br> I moved into Glass House in February 2016. At the time I felt that I did not need any other of the services the Glass House offered. All I needed was a roof over my head, but Soon I realized that I was wrong. The Glass House gave me stability and shelter. Along with the ability to fight the demons from my past.<br> I had grown up in a verbally and emotionally abusive home, married 22 years with it sadly ending in divorce. Being very submissive I was comfortable hanging in the back, wallflower, and afraid to voice an opinion. <br> Before moving to the Glass House, I had begun online college courses with Southern New Hampshire University. Determined to prove to myself that I could succeed I read and reread and wrote paper after paper, graduating June 1, 2017, with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English. With my degree, the flower came into the light and began to speak.<br> In the past three years, I have witnessed the Glass House going through many changes. Therefore, through every change or setback lesson was learned and forward movement entailed. Every program is different as any recipient can take away whatever is put forth. For any program to work honest effort needs to be given by the client. Through this experience, I have proven that I am smart and have a voice worth hearing. I participated in their FireWorks Fundraiser in July 2016, July 2017, July 2018. I then worked on the Art Auction Fundraiser on May 2019.<br> In January 2019 I felt ready to move into an apartment. I will always be thankful for my experience with Glass House Inc. Currently volunteering to conduct meditation once a week for the clients. If anyone needs stability or shelter, I recommend the Glass House.<br> Tina Morrison

Ministerial chaplaincy leaderships.<br>www.globalchristianfm.org

Aaron’s Acres is a wonderful experience for children with special needs. The children love attending and the staff is top notch. My son Matthew attended camp for a few summers and loved the experiences he had there. If any nonprofit should receive an award, it certainly should be Aaron’s Acres. <br><br>Bonni Teplitz Roseman, parent

My mother became sick during the summer of 2014 and was unable to cook for herself any more. Our doctor told us about Meals On Wheels, how they bring you food every day or once a week if you would rather receive it that way. I contacted Meals On Wheels and they came out and interviewed my momto see if she qualified for the program. She started receiving meals the following day. I looked into the program to see exactly what it was and how it functioned. I found out that the people who receive the needed food are asked to donate if they can, if they can't, that's ok also. The program is a nonprofit organization that survives on donations and volunteers. I became a volunteer in Dec. of 2014. I work out of the Windham, ME facility packaging meals to be delivered. At this time we cover, Gray, New Gloucester, Windham, Standish, Raymond, Casco, Naples, Bridgeton, Harrison and Fryeburge Maine. This is just our location. We provide meals for roughly 150 shut-ins who cannot fix meals for themselves. I enjoy doing this and knowing it really makes a difference in peoples lives knowing that someone cares about them.

PAI / Excentia is a great place to work! The staff are caring and dedicated to the people we support. Everyday is a new day with adventure, fun, creativity and joy.

S June Smith staff are amazing! They work with children and their families with early intervention.

SACA has been working for over 40 years assisting the Latino communities achieve greater self sufficiency. It has developed programs in such areas as employment and training, services to older Latinos, behavioral health services, drug and alcohol treatment programs (both residential and non-residential), as well as the development of affordable rental housing and the acquisition and construction of over 80 units of single family homes for sale to first time homebuyers. SACA has a CEO who has dedicated his professional life to this cause and who works tirelessly with local political and corporate leadership to encourage greater investment in the City's southeast area.

Lancaster County Conservancy is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Lancaster County Conservancy meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Lancaster County Conservancy has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.

While first response team does good work for American citizens and I applaud them on their efforts and dedication, I can't condone the way in which the organization is managed.<br><br>I'll begin with their toys - in my experience, non-profits are usually desperate for needed equipment and they responsibly use incoming funds to meet their needs in the cheapest way possible. My first experience with First Response was seeing the outrageous fleet of vehicles they have, all shiny and new, painted black and branded with their logo. I thought the hovercraft was particularly unnecessary.<br><br>Not - I completely understand that they need equipment, but this looked more like a man and his toys than it did a non-profit trying to save people.<br><br>The second thing, which is available to the public through Guidestar and their federally filed 990, is that their CEO gets paid $250,000 annually. Even worse, in 2013, they paid him in excess of $900,000! I don't care how one attempts to justify that, for an organization just barely claiming revenue over 2M per annum, that is an outrageous, inappropriate and disrespectful use of a donor's money.<br><br>I would never support this organization.

Lancaster Mennonite School is an amazing place to learn and grow and discover yourself at. My three grandchildren attend Locust Grove and Lancaster High School where they have opportunities to learn their gifts and be creative in an encouraging setting. The students lend support to each other which helps them grow. Most importantly, they are learning to live in a diverse world culturally where God is at the center of their day and interactions with others. They flourish with academics, the arts, sports, music, drama and so much more. An outstanding education with caring teachers and staff make LMS a great place to learn and grow and be prepared for the world after high school.

A.B.A.T.E of Pa is a quality organization that raises thousands of dollars each year for both state and local charities. They harness the power of motorcycle riders across Pennsylvania to organize rides, plan parties and be good citizens in the community. A.B.A.T.E also represents all motorcycle riders by advocating for motorcycle safety and following legislation in the Capitol. They take a stand for motorcycle rights. Thanks to A.B.A.T.E for all of their contributions!

They are awesome. They give practical, interesting information about how to plan and shop for a funeral and they're not a for-profit funeral home! I sent them a donation because they're awesome (and it's tax deductible because they're a 501c3).

My name is Regina. I have been with Mom’s House in August of 2014. I am a York College of Pennsylvania student enrolled in the nursing program which allows me to graduate in December of 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and an opportunity to sit for the NCLEX as a registered nurse. The program is very difficult, demanding, and extremely rewarding and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. <br> <br>My daughter’s name is Julietta and she is 21 months old. When she and I joined Mom’s House she was just over a year old in August of 2014 as I had mentioned previously. I must say that Mom’s House has been an incredible blessing to us both, and became available to us at a time when we truly needed it most. My fiancé at the time had left us when I was about to begin school. Julietta and I had nothing. I wasn't working because I was the one home with Julietta, I had no money of my own, and he had sold my car. <br> <br>I ended up having to depend on my parents completely during this time, and I was facing the fact that I might have to quit my nursing career just as soon as I was slotted to begin my clinical rotation. I had worked very hard to get to that point in my educational journey, and as a new single and unemployed parent things were not looking very good for us. The very last thing I wanted to do was give up the education that I had already started because not only is it what I was meant to do, but I knew that I needed to finish for my daughter’s future. <br> <br>Thankfully, as I had mentioned above, I was made aware of Mom’s House and scheduled a meeting as soon as possible. We were seen by the program director at the time and she had offered my daughter and me the chance to be a part of Mom’s House. This was an incredible blessing for not only us, but also for the rest of my family as they were trying very hard to help me juggle everything around for me to be able to return to school. <br> <br>Everything has worked out so well, and everyone at Mom’s House has been wonderful to both me and my daughter. It is an incredible chance for me to have an internship and enhance the skills that I have learned over the past two semesters in the clinical setting. <br> <br>I looked into other daycares and compared costs, and it was not looking very good for us. The expense of a new daycare would have been $900-$1100 a month, and I really am not in the position to spend that much a month on daycare at this time. <br> <br>I feel so blessed. Moms' House of Lancaster's hard work allows us to succeed in being better students, parents, and ultimately stronger and independent members of a thriving community. This has such a profound impact on each mother and their children, and allows us to experience what happens when a community comes together. I am incredibly excited that I have an opportunity as a current student nurse and a future registered nurse to serve and contribute to the community that is doing the same for me right now. <br> <br>Mom’s House has come through for us at a time when we are in great need. I am so thankful for all of the work that Mom's House does for us. The opportunity we are given by Mom’s House on a regular basis is wonderful and we are so thankful for it. Mom's House feels like an above and beyond gift for which I will continually be thankful! You have given us so much and I wish there was more that I could do than just write my thanks to you. This is the smallest way that I can let you know how incredible this experience is for us, and that we appreciate all of the things you have done for us and how you have worked in our lives. <br> <br>Thank you also for the opportunity to move forward in my educational journey, and will give me the practice I need with the vital skills I have learned. It will enhance and build upon the knowledge that I have developed over the past two semesters, and give me a great advantage when applying for jobs after graduation. This means so much to me, and as I said already there are no words to accurately describe my gratitude and the feelings I am having now. Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting me in a position to follow through with this educational opportunity that will enhance my current educational career, my future nursing career, and the future of my daughter. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>

SchipperkeRescue.Net is an amazing organization. It has grown from an individual trying to help rescuers across the country make connections to find homes for rescued Schips to a comprehensive network of foster homes and volunteers dedicated to ensuring that homeless or abandoned Schipperkes get the love and care that they need. <br> <br>Every Schip that comes into SRN rescue goes to the vet immediately and gets whatever care deemed necessary to provide a quality of life for that animal. SRN even takes in elderly and special needs dogs and ensures that they are cared for the rest of their lives. Some of their foster homes are dedicated to this purpose. <br> <br>SRN rescues live in homes, not in kennels. They are part of the family. I know. I have had both elderly and special needs Schips from SRN in my home over the past almost 10 years. <br> <br>What is important to note is that SRN will help rescuers all over the country. And they exists solely on donations from the public and a few small private grants. <br> <br>If you love Schipperkes and are looking to help those in need, you can find no better organization to which to donate.

The Executive Director of the organization is verbally abusive and degrading. He resorts to cyber bullying when he doesn't get things done his way. <br> <br>He also flip-flops on the direction the nonprofit should go. And when things don't go according to plan, he immediately places blame on others. He never takes responsibility for himself. <br> <br>The cash-handling policies within the organization are questionable. <br> <br>I've had a number of volunteers personally complain to me over the years about his verbal "mistreatment" to put it nicely.

We sent our son to Wonder Club for his preschool education. We have noticed a significant change in his attitude in the first 2 weeks of his schooling and by the time he graduated he knows how to read very well and his humanity has touched our hearts and we wish he could stay there until 8th grade. WE LOVE WONDER CLUB AND WATER STREET MINISTRIES.

I can't believe this group still exists. They have ripped off an unbelievable amount of actors and laborers. Their fiscal year budget is 500,000 because Gary Smith likes his vacations. The lack of integrity within this organization just makes me want to cry. <br>In 2012 Gary Smith was evicted from the STAHR armory in downtown Lancaster PA. He had attempted to create a "community" of artists by renting out the vacant spaces of the armory. Many people fell victim to this scam. Thankfully Lancaster City investigated his activities and shut it down, preventing more people from being robbed. Gary Smith was renting the STAHR armory from the State of PA for a total sum of 500 dollars per month. Gary Smith solely had permission to rent the auditorium for his theatrical performances and did not have permission to sublet vacant rooms. Gary Smith wrote up illegal contracts asking people to give up their rights and labor once they had moved into their studios giving them only a few days to vacate if they did not agree to his organizations belief in Greek deities and free labor. Many people signed this agreement with the assumption that it could never be used against them because the contract was that absurd. However, those who refused were locked out of their rooms and their possessions confiscated. Most of the residents were low income artists who were looking for studios where they could work and live at the same time. There was a huge problem with drugs and prostitution on the floors with the most vacant spaces. Gary Smith had no care for the safety of the residents of the building in any aspect. <br>Gary Smith refused to upgrade smoke alarms, sprinklers or handicap access and refused to contact the state for any needed upgrades because of the illegal activities that he was involved in. The roof was leaking in many spots to the point that it was in danger of collapse. One business actually knocked a hole in a concrete wall to create an entrance into a secondary space without a building permit. <br> <br>Marie Winger is, or was, also a member of the board. This woman took pleasure in evicting residents on the basis of "lack of participation". When residents couldn't pay rent she would offer them a work for rent form but never actually provide them with the form. After several weeks of labor in the STAHR center she would evict them on the basis that they never completed the form and thus the labor was not accepted as payment. This happened on three or four different occasions. <br> <br>Aside from the illegal activities at the STAHR center, the Theater was well known for not paying their actors. I hope they are shut down soon :(

Virginia "Ginny" Swartzell and her Therapy Dogs have become a part of the 4Main family at Holy Spirit. Each week Ginny and one of her “children” bring joy and laughter to the many patients on 4Main as well as the staff. Tessa, one of Ginny’s “children“, has become one of our 4Main “RNs” with her beautiful, frilly nursing outfit that she wears when she visits with our patients. <br>Holy Spirit Hospital recently participated in their Magnet Appraisal Visit to achieve Magnet Designation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Ginny and Tessa were gracious enough to come in and be here for the 4Main unit tour with the Magnet Appraiser. As part of our 4Main family, Ginny and Tessa were very helpful in demonstrating the mission and vision of 4Main and the commitment to our patients and their families. <br>4Main thanks Ginny and Tessa and K-Pets for their dedication to the patients and staff on our unit. <br>

I began working with Karen Bailey of Hope Academy in September 2012. I am so impressed by the dedication, passion that she and the board of Hope Academy have for helping children that are disadvantaged and academically at-risk. The students have many challenges to overcome: economic, behavioral, emotional and learning disabilities. With the highly specialized teaching methods that are used, these children not only begin to learn academically-but also gives them HOPE! Hope for a future full of dreams of the possible. With the focus on Christ-centered living, small family-like class structure, these kids learn to thrive academically, spiritually, and become community leaders in some of the most difficult neighborhoods in Lancaster City. I highly recommend supporting Hope Academy.

This organization is not managed well from the top down. Any inquiries from parents to administrators are answered disrespectfully and unprofessionally. I would definitely not donate to or sponsor this organization until they change their leadership strategy, particularly where it comes to communication with their clients, who are the parents - the backbone of any youth sports organization.