Water Street Mission

Water Street Ministries... changing one life at a time.

Our purpose since 1905 has been to advance the kingdom of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ and to do missionary, relief and rescue work of all kinds.

Our ministry divisions:

Water Street Mission serves the homeless in Lancaster County through emergency shelters, an employment program, a recovery program, a learning and career center, and more. Every night nearly 300 men, women, and children find shelter here.

Teen Haven reaches 1,000 urban teens a year in Lancaster, York, and Philadelphia. Between these city ministries and the youth camp in York County, teens learn about the gospel, grow to maturity in the faith and become leaders in their communities.

Water Street Health Services, a subsidiary, provides medical and dental services for individuals without access to health care. Because of WSHS, over 2,000 patients improve their quality of life every year without using the local emergency room as their priomary treatment option.

Through Wonder Club Early Learning Centers, about 70 children in poverty experience pre-K and Kindergarten curriculum that helps them develop a love for learning and a love for Jesus Christ.

The Lydia Center offers one of the few 6-month, residential recovery programs on the East Coast. We provide Christian faith and guidance through counseling that integrates the physical, spiritual and psychological aspects of a woman.

Our story is tied up in the restoration stories of people like Sharon. We take a relational approach, surrounding each person who comes to us with a loving community and the resources needed to get them on their feet.

 Our Mission:

In response to Christ's love, we join with His mission to walk with our neighbors who are experiencing marginalization and poverty, trusting Him to transform lives and restore hope.

From serving those experiencing homelessness, sickness and hunger to mentoring teens, kids, and young adults, we aim to bring personalized restoration to all who come through our doors. Restoration that echoes out into the renewal of our Lancaster community. 

 

Here's a quick rundown of our services to the Lancaster community:

 

Emergency Shelter and Residential Program

Meeting physical needs and extending a hand up to individuals and families experiencing periodic homelessness through our emergency shelter and residential program.

Nearly 600 men, women, and children welcomed to stay with us each year, 170 individuals on average per night. 

 

Water Street Health Services

Caring for low-income and uninsured individuals and families through our medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics.

2400+ medical visits and 500+ dental visits each year on average. 

 

Wonder Academy

Helping Pre-K and Kindergarten children from low-income families learn to love God, love learning, and love people.

50+ students served each school year.

 

Teen Haven

Providing youth in Lancaster City a safe environment, training in leadership skills, and spiritual direction.

250+ students in middle school and high school reached through after-school programs, outreach, and events each year. 

Compass 

Coming alongside nearly 100 young adults each year in Lancaster City and providing tools and opportunities for success spiritually, academically, and vocationally. 

 

Outreach Center

Supplying basic food necessities for thousands of families in our community.

500 families served every week.

Want to get a deeper glimpse of all we do?

Check out personal testimonies of renewal at wsm.org/see-the-impact

Who We Are

Since 1905, Water Street Mission has provided an environment of dignity, hope and healing where Lancaster County’s at-risk men, women and children can find a hand up and restoration with God. For more information or to donate to Water Street Mission, please visit www.wsm.org.