Community CARES (initially known as Carlisle C.A.R.E.S.) was organized in 2004 as a ministry of the Grace United Methodist Church (presently Carlisle United Methodist Church). After sheltering a small number of men for a night, church and community members realized that the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness were far bigger than they anticipated.

In 2010, CARES expanded its services to meet the growing needs of the homeless or near homelessness community. A Resource Center was developed and constructed at 50 W. Penn Street to meet the growing needs of the residents. The Center provides a place for CARES residents to shower, do laundry, receive mail, cook, and rest when they are ill. It also provides a place to meet with Supportive Service Coordinators to work towards housing independence.

In 2018, the organization which serves the entire Cumberland County Region, changed its name from Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. to Community CARES to better represent the demographics of its residents. In the same year, it expanded its resources further to better serve its residents. The organization became the Coordinated Entry System Walk-In Site to provide onsite vulnerability assessment to ensure fair and equitable access to existing community housing and emergency services. It also initiated Cumberland Street Reach, a program that engages, assesses and assists those living on the streets, in encampments, and/or at the risk of experiencing homelessness.

The Men & Women’s Shelter in Carlisle is completing a future full-time shelter for men and women located on Spring Garden Street.

Additional changes to the Community CARES programming that came during the pandemic include:

-Family Shelter in Shippensburg

-Wellspan Recuperative Care

-Laundry, showers, food, get out of the elements, and case management at the Resource Center.

-Homeless Prevention Services

-UPMC Street Medicine

-Severe Weather Shelter during the winter

Community CARES is led by Executive Director Beth Kempf along with 20 staff members in three separate locations sheltering approximately 120 men, women, and children a night in Cumberland County. In order to provide the maximum benefit to the community, CARES works hard to avoid duplication of resources that are currently being offered in the community and makes every effort to collaborate with other organizations. Generous volunteers, businesses, churches, individuals, organizations, and foundations partner and support CARES to ensure that, if there is a vital need in the community, it remains in existence. We say that the team at Community CARES is the labor and the Community who support our work are the love and the light to so many vulnerable individuals in our community. Thank you.