"Families are unique; the problems aren't."
That's what Lori Campbell, a volunteer at the area's newest day center for homeless families said Wednesday night at a open house for the Family Promise of Lycoming County Day Center at 804 Sherman St.
The facility, which had been the parsonage of Redeemer Lutheran Church, now is a house where homeless families with children spend most of their mornings until later in the afternoon, then sleep overnight at host church congregations.
"I want to help families get a leg up," said Campbell, one of several persons known as office angels, or volunteers who offer their time and talents at the day center.
Arriving here last year from New Jersey, Campbell said she has worked as a case manager for homeless shelters and group homes.
The purpose, she said, is to "get them back in a home."
Dozens of visitors shuffled in and out, touring the open house from 5 to 7 p.m.
A blessing was offered.
"We're just getting started," said Family Promise of Lycoming County Executive Director Melissa Magargle.
A family of eight, whose identity is protected for privacy reasons, is the first to use the facility after careful screening.
The families are brought to the day center, which provides a home-like atmosphere.
Inside the former parsonage, which has been renovated somewhat, closets are assigned to each family and stocked with basic necessities.
The laundry room is in the basement, so families are given a laundry basket for clothes.
Drawers are provided so piles of clothes don't become the norm.
They are given shampoo, soap and towels and are permitted to use facility bathrooms. A family room is available should children need a nap.
Several volunteers have dropped off videos, books, ironing boards and other items for domestic use.
Each of the families gets a queen-sized air mattress.
Four families at one time, or 14 people, are permitted, Magargle said.
The house has a board meeting room, and each host church provides a coordinator to work out details that arise.
One of the open house visitors, Rabbi Shaul Rappeport of Ohev Shalom Congregation, told officials here he would review whether the congregation board would want to participate.
Mary Ann Vance, a member of Covenant-Central Presbyterian Church, 807 W. Fourth St., said she has been working on a core committee for Family Promise's local chapter for 3 1/2 years.
She coordinates and schedules the volunteer efforts at the Day Center.
Some businesses, too many to mention all, offered their in-kind donations, such as David Stom of New Life Flooring, who installed new wood flooring, according to the Rev. Kenneth Elkin, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 142 Market St., a host congregation.
One of the sweetest moments of the open house came when Molly Breen, 7, told her mother she wanted to help volunteer for the shelter.
Asked why, Breen said, because she asked her mom and found out about homeless shelters and programs and wanted to help out.
"We'll take it," Elkin said.
