Keystone Mission Receives Grant from UNICO Foundation UNICO Foundation Supports Shelter for Homeless in NEPA (from left to right): Chris DiMattio, UNICO Foundation Chair; Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Execuitve Director; Jillian Mirro, Communications & Marketing Manager; Michael Rescigno, Committee Chair, UNICO Foundation Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund With the rise in homelessness over the past three years, shelter plays a vital role in supporting homeless men and women get back on their feet. Keystone Mission opened their first 365-Overnight Shelter in June 2024 with hopes to bring safe and secure environment for individuals on the streets to seek refuge during all kinds of weather. Since its opening, Keystone Mission has already seen over 320 unique individuals come through the shelter, be provided nutritious meals, gain shower access, and get connected further into case management and outside resources. “We are grateful for the continued support of the UNICO Foundation as we strive to provide safe and secure shelter for men and women seeking refuge in Northeast Pennsylvania,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. The UNICO Foundation has partnered with Keystone Mission and presented them with a $1,000 check to support the 365-Overnight Shelter that hosts 50 individuals each night who would otherwise be without shelter during the year. “The UNICO Foundation is pleased to support such a worthy cause, especially in these challenging times,” said Michael Rescigno, Committee Chair, UNICO Foundation Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund. The Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant provides funds through community-established food/shelter programs that provide food and shelter to those in need.
Keystone Mission Announces the Opening of its Overnight Shelter On behalf of Keystone Mission, Wilkes-Barre City Mayor George C. Brown on Friday announced the upcoming opening of the organization’s overnight shelter, at its Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center for Homeless and Poverty. The center is located at 90 East Union St., and the opening ceremony is scheduled for Monday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Brown said funding for the shelter for the current year is made possible through a $109,500 grant from the city’s American Rescue Plan funds, spearheaded by the mayor and unanimously approved by Wilkes-Barre City Council in April. The overnight shelter’s hours of operation will be from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. Mayor Brown said the overnight shelter will dissolve the Code Blue shelter that operated during the winter months, from October to March. He said the shelter will be able to provide overnight services for approximately 50 individuals at a time. In addition to providing a physical shelter for homeless individuals, Keystone Mission’s Innovation Center helps its guests in obtaining identifying documentation, housing application assistance, educational programs in addition to free haircuts, meals, laundry services, clothing, showers and more. Keystone Mission’s mission statement is: “To be a catalyst for the community, to provide help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northeast PA.”
