Keystone Mission

Keystone Mission is an award-winning, local faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Our mission is to be a catalyst for the community, to provide help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northeast PA.

In 2005, CityGate Network, a national organization with over 100 years of experience in the homeless rescue business, had an initiative combined with localized missions to plant new Rescue Mission in areas where none existed. CityGate, in partnership with the Rescue Missions in York and Lancaster, PA, and Washington, DC, decided they would provide the seed money and a Board for Keystone Mission. The organizations hired an individual to come to lead the new Rescue Mission. 

In 2005, the Keystone Mission started feeding homeless individuals off the back of a box truck in Scranton. Late in 2006, the first buildings at 8–12 West Olive St. in Scranton were purchased. The buildings were dedicated on Jan 25, 2007. Meals started being served out of the W. Olive Street’s building on Friday–Monday evenings. Over the next few years, clothing and food distribution programs began for homeless and low-income individuals and families.  

To date, Keystone Mission continues to provide meals on the weekend (Friday–Monday) but the approach has changed to “to-go meals.” The Weekend Meal Outreach is powered by staff and volunteers, takes a portion of resources on the road to seek out guests in the community. The approach is to build connections and make sure the guests are safe and healthy.