_History of City Mission___________

City Mission began in the 1970’s as a vision of Reverend Michael T. Major, pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church, Uniontown, PA, who saw the need for services to be provided to homeless Fayette Countians. In 1980, the church obtained a mortgage on the Mission's first location, the men's shelter at 226 East Fayette Street, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, which had a six-bed capacity. With the help of many volunteers, the building was renovated and subsequently supported by income obtained through the rental of three upstairs apartments.

In 1991, City Mission received tax-exempt status and began an extensive campaign to solicit grant funds so that its programs and services to the homeless could be expanded. With the donation of a building to City Mission by the Third Presbyterian Church of Uniontown, City Mission was able to increase its services to include homeless women and their children. This shelter at 217 Lenox Street, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, opened in 1996 after the agency received several large grants which provided for both extensive remodeling and staffing of the facility.

In December of 1998, City Mission opened the Gallatin School Living Centre, a 30-unit housing and service complex, which is owned by a partnership entity, the Gallatin School Limited Partnership. The agency's largest facility to date, the Gallatin School Living Centre provides City Mission clients with safe and affordable long-term housing along with a multitude of on-site support services. It is a 3-story structure, which—because of its significant architecture—is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Eleven (11) of the 30 residential units are 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments in which residents may reside for a period of not to exceed two years. Eighteen (18) Single Room Occupancy units of housing are available at Gallatin for homeless individuals. This facility also houses the Administrative Offices of City Mission, a large community room, two laundry facilities, two lounge areas and counseling spaces.

After another successful capital campaign in the spring of 2002, City Mission opened its newest facility HOME AGAIN. HOME AGAIN is a 14-bed facility that is specifically designed to meet the residential and social service needs of youth ages 12-17. HOME AGAIN targets youth who find themselves temporarily homeless, others who may be victims of abuse and neglect, or some who simply need respite services as an alternative to a more restrictive hospital placement. HOME AGAIN is a structured living environment, where case management, individual and group counseling, personal life skills training, and social development and adjustment services are offered. HOME AGAIN also offers assessments for residents that include educational, physical, emotional and general health screenings to identify client needs that will be met by HOME AGAIN staff. The approach to services at the facility is client-focused but family-based with the primary emphasis on family reunification.

The agency today employs approximately 28 individuals and is currently in the process of developing a 4 unit permanent supportive housing complex.