Donate | Family Services Advocate | Newsletters | Resources Scholarship | Home Page
When a parent goes to prison, the child's life changes forever! Ambassadors for Hope is the only organization in Lancaster County with the sole function of assuring the support of children as soon as the parent is incarcerated. Ambassadors for Hope advocates on behalf of children with a parent in prison and educates the community about their needs. Ambassadors for Hope supplies age-appropriate books dealing with parental incarceration that offer a resilience-building message. Through our partnership with the Family Services Advocate at Compass Mark, we encourage and facilitate letter writing in order to foster close family contact. We also supply teddy bears which have a recorded message from the incarcerated parent. For more information contact Ambassadors for Hope by email, ambforhope@gmail.com, or visit the website: www.ambassadorsforhope.com. Our mailing address is PO Box 235, Millersville, PA 17551.
In addition to Ambassadors for Hope, there are other resources for families affected by Incarceration
Address: 1891 Santa Barbara Drive, Suite 104, Lancaster
PA
Phone: 717-299-2831
Email: kshambaugh@compassmark.org
Website:
www.compassmark.org/programs/children-of-incarcerated-parents/
Offerings: Through the Family Services Advocate, Compass Mark
provides support free-of-charge to those caring for children
0-18 years of age who have one or more incarcerated
parents.
Address: 101 S Decatur Street, Strasburg PA 17579
Phone: 717-687-6030
Email: Alicia Eltman,
Social Ministry Contractor
Website:
https://www.straspres.org/community-resources-social-ministries/#case-baskets
Offerings: In partnership with Ambassadors for Hope and Compass
Mark, the church offers care baskets for families that have a
loved one who is currently incarcerated. These care baskets
include comfort items, a handwritten card, and information on
local resources. The basket can be picked up at First
Presbyterian and dropped off at the recipient's home. To
receive or send a care basket, email Alicia Eltman, at aeltman@straspres.org
This guide provides a brief description of and contact information for a wide range of resources that may be useful to a family with an incarcerated parent. For additional information, consult PA 211, an online resource: https://www.pa211.org/
1. Baby Items
2. Childcare Resources
3. Clothing Resources
4. Children's Shelter Resources
5. Counseling and Support Groups
6. Education and Job Services for Adults
7. Food Pantries and Resources
8. Hotlines
9. Housing Support
10. Mentorship for Adults
11. Mentorship for Children
12. Re-entry Programs
13. Recovery Resources
Address: 1102 Millersville Pike
Phone: 717-394-1561
Website: www.pregnancylancaster.com
Offerings: Women, men, teens, pregnant or parenting a child
under the age of 1 are eligible to receive emergency material
assistance including baby clothing, formula, baby wipes, car
seats, and diapers. Call 717-394-1561 (option 2) to schedule an
appointment for emergency assistance.
Address: 29 N Duke St, York
Phone: 717-854-2273 or 800-864-4925
Website:
www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/early-learning-child-care.html
Offerings: Provides a single point-of-contact for families,
early learning service providers, and communities to gain
information and access services that support high-quality
childcare and early learning programs.
Address: 150 S Queen St, Lancaster PA
Phone: 717-392-7413
Website: www.lancasterearlyeducation.org
Offerings: Committed to providing early education and
affordable childcare and to improve the quality of life of
children.
Eligibility: Parents are employed or enrolled in full-time job
training or education programs, children 8 weeks to
kindergarten.
Address: 525 Fairview Ave, Lancaster PA
Phone: 717-392-2115
Website: www.lancasterrec.org
Offerings: Before and after school programs
Eligibility: Some families may qualify for financial help for
their childcare. Subsidized care is handled by
Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), formerly known as Child
Care Information Services (CCIS). Call 717-393-4004 for
details. You cannot register online if you are applying for
ELRC.
Address: 625 Community Way, Lancaster
Phone: 717-393-0425 xx 171
Website: www.schreiberpediatric.org
Offerings: Provide stimulating early care and education
experience which promotes each child's social, emotional,
physical, and cognitive development
Eligibility: A prescription from a doctor is required for these
services. Contact our Social Services Department at
717-393-0425 ext.158 to schedule an initial consultation. You
must have a prescription to schedule the appointment.
Address: 110 N Lime Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-393-1735
Website: www.ywcalancaster.org
Offerings: Summer camps, kindergarten wrap around programs in
partnership with Penn Manor schools, and programming for
infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age students.
Address: 601 South Queen Street, Lancaster PA
Phone: 717-393-4004
Website:caplanc.org/access-resources/household-stability/early-learning-resource-center/
The Early Learning Resource Center contributes to the cost of
childcare for income-eligible families who are eligible under
federal guidelines for subsidized child care, as well as
families referred for child care services from the County
Assistance Office.
Various locations: (
caplanc.org/access-resources/early-education/thrive-to-five/thrive-to-five-locations/
)
Phone: 717-299-7388 option 4
Email: thrivetofive@caplanc.org
Website:
caplanc.org/access-resources/early-education/thrive-to-five/
Thrive to 5 is a birth-5 aligned program that provides
high-quality learning experiences for infants through Pre-K.
This program provides children early childhood education,
family support services, nutritious meals, and health
screenings.
Address: 29 N Duke St, York
Phone: 717-393-4004
Website:
www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/early-learning-child-care/child-care-works.html
Assists eligible families to pay for some or all of the
childcare costs incurred when they are employed and/or in
training.
Address: 131 S Queen St
Phone: 717-397-7565
Website: www.pa.salvationarmy.org
Address: 2420 Gehman Lane, Lancaster PA
Phone: 717-208-3711
Website: www.cvccs.org/clothingbank/
Client Choice Clothing Bank
Address: 213 Swarthmore Drive, Lititz
Phone: 717-799-1933
Website
Facebook
Address: 812 N Queen St
Phone: 717-291-2261
Website: www.lancasterfoodhub.org
Offerings: children's and adult's clothing Eligibility: need
social security card and ID, if getting children's clothing,
must bring medical card OR birth certificate, as well as social
security card (for each child) Hours: M/T/Th/F 9:30-11:45
PO Box 65, Lampeter PA
Phone: 717-672-6234
Website: www.lstogether.org
Offerings: Provides food and clothing" Eligibility: For
residents of Lampeter Strasburg
Address: 20 E Clay St
Phone: 717-394-8412
Website: www.luminaoutreach.org
Offerings: Professional Clothing Bank, making business clothes
available to men and women who are seeking employment or are
recently employed, but lacking suitable clothing
Address: 10 Delp Rd
Phone: 717-569-9211
Website: www.manheimchurches.org
Address: 133 Pearl St
Phone: 717-393-8892
Offering: School uniforms for children attending the School
District of Lancaster
Address: 1681 Crown Ave Suite 201
Phone: 717-399-3213
Website: www.bethany.org
Safe Families for Children Lancaster: Crisis respite
service providing a temporary home and/or family to care for
children while their parents work through crisis. Parents
experiencing emergency or crisis can utilize this service to
provide temporary care for children (up to 17 years old)
Address: 3182 Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster
Phone: 717-687-6072
Website: www.christshome.org
Christ's Home provides for routine visits of their children
with their families, with the goal of reuniting children with
families. Caregivers interact with the family to communicate
the needs of the child and how to meet them. When circumstances
prohibit children from returning home, Christ's Home
participates in finding a permanent home for children.
Eligibility: Child must be adjudicated as dependent.
Address: 444 Murry Hill Circle, Lancaster
Phone: 717-656-6580
Website: www.cobys.org
Programs:
To learn more, email kinship@cobys.org, call 717-435-8139, or view COBYS Kinship Resource Guide
Address: 1046 Manheim Pike, Lancaster
Phone: (717) 509-5613
Website: https://www.jobs4lancaster.com/job-seekers/
Offerings: Many in person and online services including career
counseling and exploration, job search assistance, skills and
interest assessments, a variety of workshops, job fairs and
recruitment events, and post-secondary training and on-the-job
training opportunities
Address: 407 Lafayette St
Phone: 717-295-5523
Website: literacysuccess.org/
Offerings: GED classes, literacy programs, basic adult
education
Address: 45 Erick Road
Phone: 717-291-1243
Website:
https://www.redrosetransit.com/red-rose-access/programs-eligibility/access-to-jobs-program
Offerings: Supporting transportation needs, enables customers
to travel to and from work at times when the bus system is not
operating
Eligibility requirements: application required, household
income within 150% of federal poverty level, live and work
within ΒΌ mile of bus route
Address: 708 Wabank Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-394-3021
Website: https://alphayomega.us/food-bank/
When: 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 9-10:30 am
Eligibility: Photo ID, resident of Lancaster County, complete
application
Address: 512 E Strawberry Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-393-8379
Website: https://bethelamelancaster.com/food-bank-%26-programs
When: Wednesday & Thursday, 10am-12pm
Address: 407 Howard Avenue, Lancaster
Phone: 717-394-6604
Website:
https://caplanc.org/access-resources/safety-empowerment/crispus-attucks-community-center/
When:
Address: 701 N Lime Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-392-4292
Website: www.ebclancaster.org/
When: 1st & 3rd Friday, 9-11 am
Address: 2120 Oregon Pike, Lancaster
Phone: 717-560-7572
Website: emeralde.org/programs/autumns-food-pantry/
When: 2nd & 4th Thursday, 3-6pm
Address: 101 S Decatur Street, Strasburg PA 17579
Phone: 717-687-6030
Website: www.straspres.org/food-bank/
When: Tuesdays and Fridays from 2-4
Eligibility: Short intake form required, may visit every other
week or twice a month.
Address: 812 N Queen Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-291-2261
Website: lancasterfoodhub.org/food/
When: M/T/Th/F, 9:30-11:45am, once a month or 12x a year
Eligibility: Photo ID and social security card
Address: 164 West Cottage Avenue, Millersville
Phone: 717-723-8180
Website: www.loftcp.org/food-pantry/
When: Wednesday, 2-6:30, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
9AM-2PM
Eligibility: resident of Penn Manor School District
Address: 10 W Farnum Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-393-3035
Email: churchoffice@ncumc@gmail.com
When: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 AM, may visit every 4 weeks
Eligibility: Must be a resident of ZIP 17603 or in southern end
of Lancaster County
Address: 131 S Queen Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-397-7565
Website:
pa.salvationarmy.org/lancaster-pa/the-salvation-army-lancaster-corps
When: Friday, 10AM-12PM, 1-3PM
Eligibility: Residents of Lancaster city
Address: 321 W Chestnut Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-299-1188
Website: stjohns-lancaster.org/outreach/community/
When: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30-3:30pm
Eligibility: Anyone
Address: 308 E King Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-397-5182
Website
Tenfold offers a broad continuum of services to address
homelessness.
Address: 616 N Lime Street, Lancaster and 25 West Locust
Street, Ephrata
Phone: 717-394-7707, 888-477-0025
Website
Good Samaritan Services gives immediate help to people who are
experiencing homelessness, and helps those at risk of becoming
homeless, by restoring their lives to stability.
Address: 8 West King Street, Suite 821, Lancaster
Phone: 717-291-1911
Website
HDC-Atlantic offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments at
affordable rents.
Address: 601 South Queen Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-481-0476
Website
Offerings: RISE is designed to support and coach individuals
and families in assessing their own needs, settling goals,
connecting to their communities, and celebrating
accomplishments on their journey to an empowered future.
Address: 116 S. Water St, Lancaster
Phone: 717-295-3474
Website
Offerings: Before school program at Washington Elementary,
After school programs at Clubhouses in Lancaster City and
Columbia, and camp programs in the summer
Eligibility: Programs for ages 6-18
Website
Email
Offerings: Free music sessions, music programs and mentoring
for children affected by parental incarceration. Eligibility:
Serving students who attend School District of Lancaster
schools
Address: 701 E King Street and 325 N Queen Street,
Lancaster, also 137 Locust Street, Columbia
Phone: 717-461-3386 X1 or X2 or X3 (Columbia)
Website
Offerings: Working to transform our community through the power
of bikes.
Eligibility: Programs for ages 11-21
Address: 1891 Santa Barbara Drive, Lancaster
Phone: 717-299-2831
Website
Offerings: Leaders of Future Generations (LFG) is a
school-based prevention program for youth who exhibit
leadership potential to develop strong leadership skills. Those
who successfully complete the school program can participate in
Kids Kamp in June, and may be eligible to become Student
Mentors.
Address: 520 N George St
Phone: 717-393-1523
Website
Offerings: Drop-in After School Program Monday - Thursday for
students in 1st - 12th grades from 2:30pm-6:00pm with dinner
being served daily from 6:00pm-6:30pm. During this time youth
will have access to a safe environment to grow, learn, have
fun, and experience the love of God.
Address: 102 S Prince Street, Lancaster
Phone: 717-502-3624
Website
Offerings: Free personal training services to youth identified
as "at-risk" by local high schools and community organizations.
It is a safe, positive space to teach hard work, goal setting,
and grit.
Address: 265 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster
Phone: 717-393-9622 xx 1050
Website
Offerings: Programs designed to provide learning and physical
activity for youth/teens working with YMCA Staff.
Address: 1689 Crown Ave, Lancaster
Phone: 717-694-8860
Website
Offerings: Our primary goal is to help merge individuals back
into the community. We do this by providing the necessary
tools, support and resources for success.
1046 Manheim Pike, Lancaster
Phone: (717) 509-5613
Website
Offerings: Support to clients who are returning citizens or
identify that having a criminal background has been a barrier
to finding employment. The Re-Entry Employment Program is
designed to get clients into a job where they can make a living
wage and progress in their career.
Address: 425 S Duke St
Phone: 717-392-4118
Website
Offerings: Provides bilingual mentoring services to
reentrants.
Address: 1891 Santa Barbara Drive, Suite 104, Lancaster
Phone: 717-299-2831
Email
Website
Offerings: Assistance dealing with alcohol, drugs, gambling or
other behaviors. A Referral Specialist will provide answers,
resources, encouragement and hope to help you find the best
treatment options.