ECHOS

Interested in doing something special for the Emergency Winter Shelter, young Cobe reached out to ECHOS. Through his passion to assist those experiencing homelessness, Cobe ignited a passion in his family members as well! In total, they donated $200 and several to-go bags (lunch bags for our shelter guests) to help people in our community. Thank you, Cobe, for being a young ambassador for ECHOS, and for inspiring our community with your kindness!... *Parental consent for photo was given

WOW! What an amazing turn out. Thank you to all who participated and supported ECHOS in this fundraiser. We are blown away by your kindness!

After multiple health set backs, an older man progressively found walking more painful and difficult, preventing him from securing basic needs. Through community connections, ECHOS was able to advocate on behalf of the client and obtain an electric scooter to help alleviate his pain! Now, the client has an alternative transportation method, assisting him in making it to the grocery store, doctors appointments, and community service offices pain free. How grateful we are for community partners that serve alongside us!

A client shares their experience: ECHOS helped us get a job, get on our feet, and certification in different career choices!

Shelter Volunteer, Melinda, and her employer, Ritter Insurance Marketing, generously held a donation drive for the Emergency Winter Shelter. Thank you for thinking of ECHOS and taking the time to lead such a successful drive! Your efforts provide the Emergency Winter Shelter with the vital supplies needed for its operations and its guests.

After multiple community donations, the Emergency Winter Shelter has stocked up on paper towels and tissues! Thank you, community, for your generous donations that support the operations of our shelter. YOU keep ECHOS mission alive!

ECHOS is seeking donations of new or gently used boots for men! Both warm weather boots and work boots are needed in men's sizes ranging from 9 to 11.5. These donations will keep our clients feet warm during the snowy days, and provide the necessary work attire to maintain their jobs! Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby at CPOW (61 E Washington St), M-F between 8:00am and 4:00pm... ~Or Contact [email protected] to find a drop off time that better suits your schedule. See more

Recently separated, a single-mom of 3 young children found herself searching for help maneuvering through systems. While working with ECHOS, this young mother was assisted in acquiring child support, finding housing in their current school district (to not uproot the children), and securing furniture from the Donation Center. We are proud to see our clients strength and perseverance through life's uncertainties!

Thank you, Haldeman family! It was such a blessing to receive 94 to-go bags for the Emergency Winter Shelter. Your donation provides our shelter guests with food to get them through their days, until entering shelter that evening. ECHOS is grateful to have such a generous community to rely on for support.

Monthly supporters are trailblazers for a young agency as we garner community support and work to empower stability in our neighbors. Read below to see why one family chooses to donate monthly to ECHOS! To sign up for ECHOS' Circle of Giving, visit https://echoslancaster.org/givingcircle or contact [email protected]

When it comes to volunteering, its the little things that make a difference. For this volunteer, the friendly conversations were the highlight of volunteering at the Emergency Winter Shelter. To make a difference in your community, sign up to volunteer at https://echoslancaster.org/get-involved/ or contact [email protected] or 717-361-0740

A concerned community member came to ECHOS unsure how he would pay his rent and other bills after losing his job due to COVID-19. Working closely with an ECHOS advocate, the middle-aged man found temporary work, applied for SNAP (food stamps) and OnTrack (utility assistance), and secured temporary financial assistance to remain housed. Now, he has a permanent job that provides the stability to pay his rent and utilities! Read below for his sentiment about ECHOS support:

Don't forget to take part in Norwex's October Team Bloom Fundraising Event THIS WEEK! Ways to purchase with a purpose: Use this link to have 35% of your purchase price donated to ECHOS: https://angelayoutz.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/shop... Place an order between now and Oct 31 to help earn Norwex products to donate to families in crisis. Purchase/donate toward the Care Kits (pictured below) with cleaning/laundry essentials for families in need! For more information or to purchase a Care Kit, contact Angela Youtz at 717-813-1508 or [email protected]

Need resume advice, interviewing tips, or assistance finding a career right for you? Contact CareerLink today! Free virtual appointments, designated to ECHOS community, are available the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Access to a computer is available at Community Place on Washington (61 E Washington St, Elizabethtown). To schedule your appointment, contact Kellie at 717-288-7924 or [email protected]

ECHOS is seeking the following items as we prepare to open the Emergency Winter Shelter: - Heavy duty dinner plates - Heavy duty plastic utensils - 16 oz coffee cups w/lids... - Napkins - Ear plugs - Face masks (disposable) - Vinyl gloves (assorted sizes) Donations can be dropped off in the main lobby at Community Place on Washington (61 E. Washington St) M-F, 8:00 - 4:00 ~ or ~ Contact [email protected] or 717-361-0740 to schedule a drop off time that better suits your schedule!

What an amazing gift! One couple generously donated their brand new mattress to ECHOS after realizing it wasn't a fit for them. Through the Home2Stay housing program, ECHOS was able to gift this new mattress to a recently housed client. For someone who had spent years sleeping in cars or on cots, this gift was invaluable. Read the clients excitement below:

Thank you, Weis Markets (Elizabethtown, PA), for donating $50 gift cards to be raffled off at the Great Turkey Hunt 5K Fundraising Event! Interested in being entered to win one of these gift cards? Register to walk or run the virtual race here: https://runsignup.com///Elizabethtown/TheGreatTurkeyHunt5k

The first Winter Shelter Volunteer training is happening THIS WEEK! Don't forget to reserve your seat for the Oct 22, 4:30 to 6:00pm session. Can't make it on Thursday? Register for the Oct 28, 6:00-7:30pm session instead. This will be an opportunity for new volunteers to meet the staff, learn about volunteer requirements, and become familiar with the inter-workings of the shelter. ... Space is limited to 10 for social distancing requirements. Contact echoslancaster.org or 717-361-0740 to register today!

Did you know Lancaster County has its very own group of people working behind the scenes to support, create, and implement county wide services? Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, Lanc Co MyHome, are drivers of change in our community, working tirelessly to eradicate homelessness. ECHOS is proud to collaborate with Lanc Co MyHome in empowering stability among our neighbors! For more information on county wide services, check out http://lanccomyhome.org/

To operate the Emergency Winter Shelter, ECHOS is seeking 200 community members willing to volunteer 2-4 times a month during the season (December 7 - April 2). Hear about the importance of volunteering from Winter Shelter Coordinator, Chrissie, and past Shelter Volunteers in the 2 minute video below. Your support is crucial to ensuring those experiencing homelessness have a safe, warm, and dry place to stay this winter. Register to become a Winter Shelter Volunteer at https://echoslancaster.org/get-involved/

Are Norwex products an essential in your home? If so, take part in the October Team Bloom Fundraising Event for ECHOS, organized by a local community member! Ways to purchase with a purpose: Use this link to have 35% of your purchase price donated to ECHOS: https://angelayoutz.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/shop Place an order between Oct 26-31 to help earn Norwex products to donate to families in crisis.... Purchase/donate toward the Care Kits (pictured below) with cleaning/laundry essentials for families in need! For more information or to purchase a Care Kit, contact Angela Youtz at 717-813-1508 or [email protected]

Do you want to help your community but struggle to find a flexible volunteer opportunity? Volunteer with the Emergency Winter Shelter! For this volunteer, the shelter was a flexible and fulfilling outlet to "contribute in a meaningful way" Interested in volunteering? Visit https://echoslancaster.org/get-involved/ or contact [email protected] or 717-361-0740

Congratulations Executive Director, Deb, and Social Services Director, Leigh Ann, who were nominated by a close collaborator for the 2020 Paving the Way to Educational Success Advocate award! To honor ECHOS work in providing educational stability for children and youth experiencing homelessness, Deb and Leigh Ann will be recognized in a virtual award ceremony. Deb and Leigh Ann represent the valiant efforts of the ECHOS team as a whole, providing children facing homelessness the supports to carry them through crisis. Way to go ECHOS!