Who We Are
We are a grassroots initiative built through the dedication, compassion, and collective response of our community to support individuals facing housing instability and related hardships. Our organization was founded on the belief that sustainable change begins with accessible support, education, and opportunity
Mission Statement
Our core mission is to provide a supportive and educational environment where individuals can:
-Understand the responsibilities of maintaining stable and permanent housing
-Develop life and financial management skills
-Achieve long-term independence and self-sufficiency
Our History
The organization began with a simple but powerful idea from a concerned advocate and local small business owner: the creation of a “Hope Chest”—a secure, community-based drop-off location for food and cold-weather supplies.
Through the power of social media and community engagement, overwhelming support quickly transformed this idea into a broader vision—laying the foundation for a full-scale outreach and
support center.
The Community Hope Chest is recognized by several area businesses. It’s currently listed as a resource through a local hospital system.
A Path Forward
Seeing that many people in the community were struggling to meet the basic need for housing, businessman and contractor Frank Spaid stepped in by opening his warehouse on Susquehanna Avenue. Working with Berwick Council, the Mayor, and established agencies such as AGAPE and The Gate House, the vision to create Berwick’s first Code Blue shelter became a reality.
Collaborative Efforts Support a Greater Vision
With the support of AGAPE, The Gate House, Berwick Borough/Council, and Frank Spaid (Code Blue, now BATS) addressed the concern of local encampments.
