Help complete the Community Center Building Project and fireproof a life!
Learn all about the project:
This coverage by ABC27 News on 6/26/19 contains details about our plan to preserve the history of the old fire station building that currently holds our programming while also saving on costs for the project.
Andre Cooper, Director of Community Center, shares about the Building Project, Fireproof a Life campaign, and his vision for the future of the Community Center.
Watch the video
The Vision
Up on the Hill, literally, at the top of Herr Street, headed east from Cameron Street, is a small community center birthed inside an old closed-down fire station. The children and teens coming to this facility, and their families, are being fireproofed to cope with and absorb the challenges they face. They are finding hope and success, all from a foundation of experiencing the love of God expressed through the mentoring and dedication of faithful and gifted adults.
Compelling statistics prove the effectiveness of Bethesda’s efforts to stabilize and encourage teenagers.
Here’s where you come in…
Do you remember the story from Daniel chapter 3 about the three youths in the fiery furnace? Because of their faith in God, those three boys from Israel were shielded from the flames that were meant to destroy them! An angel of the Lord stood beside the three and prevented the fire from harming them.
This powerful story parallels what we desire to do at the Community Center: build a foundation of faith in the young people God has entrusted to us, so that when they face the trials, the flames will not derail their lives, and they will have someone standing beside them through it all.
Join us in preventing these children and teens from entering our shelters as adults. Your tax-deductible donation will raise a foundation of faith — and would mean so much to kids and families in our community. Please donate today.
YOU can fireproof a life!
The Expansion/Renovation – Phase I

Phase 1 is complete!
- For over 25 years, we’ve impacted the Herr Street community of Northern Allison Hill, Harrisburg; reaching 50-75 kids and their families annually. Upon completion of this project, we will be able to increase our outreach to include up to 200 children, teens, AND their families.
- The expanded land and renovated facilities will enable a greater variety of indoor and outdoor activities and services for children, teens, and adults. Phase I consisted of repurposing building to include a full-size gymnasium, teen rooms, and computer lab.
- Construction began in June, 2018 and was completed in July, 2019.
- The cost: $1.8 Million – these funds have been received.
The Renewal – Phase II
- 110-year-old former fire station; converted into Youth Center in 1990
- Youth Center renovation has been determined not economically feasible. Solution: implode and build a new structure while retaining the local historical significance of the site.
- $525,000 needs to be raised to complete Phase II.
Project Cost
Total Project Cost:
Phase I $1,814,128 (new gymnasium, teen center, computer lab)
Phase II $2,500,000 (rebuild existing facility)
$4,314,128 Total Project Cost
Funds raised:
Phase I $1,814,128 Received!
Phase II $1,975,000 Received!
$3,789,128 Total Received
$525,000 Remaining to be raised
How You Can Help: Phase II
Strategy
We’re looking for eight more generous donors to offer matching gifts of $25,000 or more.
Once those gifts are matched, we’ll be in the home stretch!
Spread the word: Download instructions here for how to set up a Facebook Fundraiser for this project!
Other ways to give
- Cash & publicly traded securities
- Real estate valued at actual proceeds realized by Bethesda Mission
- Current cash value of life insurance policies where Bethesda Mission becomes the owner and beneficiary of policy
- Estate gifts under wills and trusts paid or in process of being paid due to expiration of all intervening contingencies
- Multi-year commitments acceptable
Naming options available for significant contributions!
Will you join us and fireproof a life today?
$80 can pay for two panels of drywall in a new classroom, or $800 could cover new flooring. Any amount will make a huge difference as we prepare to reach children, teens, and families in need.
Contact
Please contact Cindy Mallow at 717-257-4442 x233 or cmallow@bethesdamission.org with any questions.
Gifts may be mailed to:
Bethesda Mission
PO Box 3041
Harrisburg, PA 17105