Keystone Mission to Host RealTalk CEO & Executive Director Justin Behrens will be outside the Lackawanna County Courthouse to host the 3rd Annual 24-hour REAL TALK event starting October 25th. Each year, REAL TALK invites community members and leaders, local, state, and federal politicians, and church leaders to talk about how they can partner with Keystone Mission to better the men and women experiencing homelessness. Come have a conversation with Justin about what we can do to change homelessness in our local community!
Keystone Mission Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) announced today the accreditation of Keystone Mission of Scranton, PA. ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising.Keystone Mission joins a growing number of Christ-centered churches and ministries across America, supported by over 14.6 million donors that have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability. “We are pleased to accredit a ministry committed to transform lives through relationships by the hope of the gospel,” said Michael Martin, president of ECFA. Founded in 2005, Keystone Mission (http://www.KeystoneMission.org) desires to be the Catalyst for the Community, to provide help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northwest PA. Keystone Mission is growing in Northeast PA. From Mobile Outreach in Lackawanna and Luzerne county to Emergency Shelter, Code Blue, to the Day Center in Scranton and the opening of the 15-bed Transformation Center in Wilkes-Barr this spring—the men and women facing homelessness in NEPA can rely on us to provide them help and hope. “Being accredited by a national financial organization, like ECFA, only shows the NEPA community that Keystone Mission is committed to our mission in helping men and women who are experiencing homelessness, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Ryan Buchanan, Development Director. CEO & Executive Director, Justin Behrens says, “Keystone Mission is honored to have been accredited by the ECFA. I want our donors, volunteers, community partners, and the NEPA community to understand our level of commitment. My desire is to continue building the organizations relationships with Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties in order to provide the right services and resources.” To learn more about Keystone Mission and their stewardship opportunities, visit GiverConnect, ECFA’s newest online program, that connects giver’s hearts with trusted members.
Keystone Mission Real Talk REAL TALK was started to educate and bring awareness to the ever-growing pandemic of homelessness in Northeast PA. Keystone Mission is determined to be the “Catalyst for the Community…” and hosting the event REAL TALK where Justin Behrens, CEO & Executive Director, sits outside for 24-hours straight and engages with community members, local business owners, local, state, and federal officials on the topics around homelessness. This year, Justin will be stationed at the Public Square in Wilkes-Barre starting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Justin will be sharing about our new 15-bed Transformation Center and how Keystone Mission will use its programming to bring about REAL change in the lives of men across NEPA. Last year Justin engaged in conversations with local pastors, local officials like Mayor Paige Cognetti (Scranton), former Luzerne County Manage, Dave Pedri, State Representatives, State Senators, local community members, and former guests of Keystone Mission on topics of government programs, the barrier to receive help, Keystone Mission programming, and more.
Leadership Lackawanna Core Team Celebrates Keystone Mission Project Leadership Lackawanna Core class members meet with Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Justin Behrens, executive director, Keystone Mission. Front row, left to right: Justin Marino of United Neighborhood Centers; Mayor Paige Cognetti, City of Scranton; Vivian Williams, Scranton Area Foundation; Justin Behrens, Keystone Mission; Meredith Mercuri, Barry Callebaut; Jennifer Shoemaker, Outreach Center for Community Resources; Robert Welsch, Tobyhanna Army Depot; and Michelle Cook, Community Bank, N.A. Back row, left to right: Jesse Novatski, Penn State Scranton; and Patrick Keehan, University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. One of this year’s Leadership Lackawanna Core Program teams recently celebrated their community service project for Keystone Mission in Scranton. Homeless individuals without identification have difficulty accessing the critical services and benefits that can move them out of homelessness and poverty. To help Keystone Mission serve these individuals, the Leadership team worked with the organization to design, outfit, and equip a utility van that provides opportunities for homeless individuals to receive photo identification, social security cards, and birth certificates. This “mobile office” van is stocked with essential items, but more importantly, allows the Keystone Mission staff to conduct on-site outreach to homeless individuals. The team marketed the van to the community, secured community partners to obtain more supplies, and secured donations to pay for the project. “On behalf of Team Keystone, I would like to thank all our community members who generously donated their time, items, and resources to this great cause. It has been our pleasure working with Keystone Mission in assisting them to be able to do such important work in our community,” said Justin Marino, Core Program participant from Team Keystone. Each year, the Leadership Lackawanna Core Program class completes various service projects helping to fulfill a need in our community. By working with fellow non-profit organizations, class participants expand their leadership abilities and further develop their skills. “I am truly thankful to the Leadership Lackawanna class of 2021 for supporting our effort to build relationships and a community of hope across NEPA. To help the homeless men and women takes the community to come together. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!” said Justin Behrens, CEO, Keystone Mission.
Swift Kennedy Volunteers Help Distribute Food Employees of Swift Kennedy’s Scranton branch volunteered to assist with a food distribution program sponsored by the Scranton-based Keystone Mission at its Wilkes-Barre office on January 28. Over 250 people received bags of food and clothing at this event. The Swift Kennedy volunteers included William Fleming, Sr., Camille Holmes, and Jessica Smitchel.
