HARRISBURG, Pa. — Bethesda Mission celebrated the opening of its new women’s shelter in Harrisburg on Aug. 18.
The center, which serves struggling women and women with children, doubles the mission’s previous women’s shelter capacity from 25 to 50.
The old space, a 100-year-old school building, was razed to build the new 18,400-square-foot facility. The entire project took seven years and cost $4.4 million.
“It’s been a seven-year dream," Executive Director Scott Dunwoody said. "Sometimes dreams take place and sometimes dreams don’t take place. This is a dream that’s actually going to occur."
The Bethesda Mission program focuses on long-term recovery, meaning women stay at least six months to a year. Services include substance abuse support, education on parenting, finance, and health, employment counseling, and medical and dental care.
The facility is located at 1933 Forster Street in Harrisburg.
The opening ceremony included tours of the new facility, and Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams came to the ribbon cutting ceremony.