A Williamsport ministry is going to get better electrical systems for provision of heat in winter and cool air in summer.

Sojourner Truth Ministries, 501 High St., will see these improvements and others as the city’s Community Development Block Grant funds are put into the ministry, a decision by the City Council.

To start this process, council recently approved a professional service agreement with Hunt Engineers, Architects & Surveyors for the design work.

Following an initial site visit, Christopher Keiser, team leader, project manager for the company, and city personnel were able to identify what improvements were able to be done using CDBG funds, said Austin Daily, housing program manager with the city Department of Community and Economic Development and Planning.

“They have a number of repairs that were identified that would be good use of the CDBG funds,” Daily said.

Some electrical issues were hindering their ability to serve their population that attends services and receives assistance there, he said.

In fact, the staff were seen wearing gloves and coats indoors because it is so cold in the sanctuary in the winter months, and, likewise, in the summer their air conditioning is not able to meet demands, and there is a lack of proper insulation, he remarked.

Keiser described his visit to the ministry — when it was maybe 10 degrees outside — as eye-opening.

“Their work is incredible, so it’s going to be a project that we are very proud to be contributors to,” he said.

More information on the use of the grant funds will be provided to the council as the project proceeds.

Sojourner Truth Ministries goal is to provide a place where God’s love may be experienced.

“Our doors are open to all as we minister to those who are broken, whether that brokenness is financial. physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, or any other type of brokenness. Sojourner Truth Ministries seeks to be a place of safety and healing through the grace, healing, and mercy of Jesus Christ,” the ministry states.

Sojourner Truth Ministries (STM) was founded as a United Methodist Church non-profit ministry and continues to be under their organizational umbrella.

It has evolved into an ecumenical ministry with a diverse board of directors and supporters from many church denominations in the greater Williamsport area, serving as one body, together in Christ, the ministry states.