Prince Peace Center

Prince of Peace Services

Emergency Services/AWESOME Program

Since 1993, the Emergency Assistance program has worked in conjunction with the Thrift Store to give those in need access to food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and more with little to no cost. Financial assistance for the program comes in the form of donations from a variety of foundations and sources.

AWESOME (Assistance With Education, Shelter, Organization, Money management, and Employment) offers classes to individuals who are ready and willing to take the next step in self-sufficiency. The AWESOME program classes cover a variety of topics, including proper nutrition, decision making, and financial planning. AWESOME is run through the Emergency Assistance program, with EA participants encouraged to show initiative by attending classes in conjunction with receiving assistance.
Eligibility requirements for emergency services state that a participant be a single, working male or
female, with children, living in Mercer County.

Emergency Services/AWESOME Program - Financial Assistance through multiple funding sources for life-sustaining expenses such as housing, emergency food, and clothing, furniture, & appliances through the Thrift Store.
Date Started: June 1993/Jan 2009
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: Dependent upon funding source.  Foundations: Single, working female or male with children living in Mercer County  Donations: Verifiable Need
Families Served in 2009: 889 Individuals (88%) 393 Families (126%) (includes 123 AWESOME Participants)

Family Supportive Services (FSS) - HOPE Advocacy & Project RUTH

HOPE Advocacy (FSS)

(Help and Opportunity for Personal Empowerment) began in August, 1996. It is a Family Supportive Service that provides long-term support (up to 24 months) and the opportunity to learn basic life skills necessary for self-sufficiency and family stability through intensive case management and monthly support groups. Individuals or families struggling with the effects of poverty are eligible as long as they are drug and alcohol free, committed to making a change in their lives and residing in Mercer County.

HOPE Advocacy (FSS) - Provides mentoring, long-term support (24 months) and intensive skill-building opportunities to increase stability and self-sufficiency.
Date Started: August 1996
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: Low-income, drug/alcohol-free, single woman with children living in Mercer County
Families Served in 2009: 48 Individuals (no change) 20 Families (5%) 

Project RUTH (FSS)

(Resources, Understanding, Training, and Homes) a Family Supportive Service was established in May of 1999 to provide services to, and advocate for, the homeless of Mercer County. Participants are eligible for up to 24 months of support and training in basic life skills essential for living. To qualify for RUTH services, an individual or family must be homeless according to HUD’s government definition, low-income, drug and alcohol free, and a single women or single parent family. In 2009, Project RUTH served 43 individuals and 18 families.

Project RUTH - Provides housing, works with and advocates for homeless individuals offering long-term support (24 months) and intensive skill-building opportunities.  (Family Supportive Services) Resources so Participants can obtain Understanding and gain the Training needed to maintain a safe and healthy Home
Date Started: May 1999
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: Low-income, drug/alcohol-free, single female or single parent family that is homeless (according to the government’s definition of homelessness)
Families Served in 2009: 43 Individuals (13%) 18 Families (29%)

Neighborhood Meal (Soup Kitchen) - Nutritious Meals prepared and served by volunteers.
Date Started:June1992
Hours of Operation: Mondays & Wednesdays;4:00-5:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: None
Families Served in 2009: 5,949 Meals Served (1%) (not included in total below) Avg. Attendance = 62

Food Day/Soup Kitchen

The third Thursday of every month is Food Day at the Prince of Peace Center. Food Day, which began in April 1983, is a day when those who are a part of our food program can come to the Center and receive a bag of groceries to supplement what they are able to purchase using food stamps. In order to participate in Food Day, an individual must be income eligible and a resident of Mercer County.

In addition every Monday and Wednesday, volunteer groups come to the Center to prepare, cook, and serve a nutritious meal for people in the community to share. From 4:00 to 5:00 pm, people are free to enjoy this service, and an average of 62 people attend each meal. There is no requirement for sharing the food prepared in the Soup Kitchen; all are welcome.

Food Pantry - Distribute groceries to supplement a family’s grocery expenses; 44,813 bags of groceries distributed.
Date Started: April 1983
Hours of Operation: Third Thursday of every month; 9:30 AM-12:30PM & 4:00-6:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: Income Eligible, Mercer County Resident
Families Served in 2009: 1,291 Individuals (4%$) 626 Families (11%$)

PA WORKWEAR

The PA Workwear program provides proper clothing, accessories, and training to individuals with upcoming job interviews. Those who successfully obtain employment are eligible to receive 5 days of work-appropriate clothing suited to the job site, so that they may continue to present a professional image. Participants must be referred to the program by a potential employer; in 2009, PA Workwear assisted 135 individuals with the search for employment.

PA WORKWEAR - Assists referred Mercer County clients with the selection of an interview suit or specific clothing and accessories necessary to be successful at an interview or on the job site.
Date Started: April2008
Hours of Operation: By Appointment
Eligibility Requirements: Referral Only
Families Served in 2009: 135 Individuals (38%)

Thrift Store

The Thrift Store at the Prince of Peace Center contains donated items, such as clothing and furniture, on sale at a reduced price. In conjunction with Emergency Services, the store will provide furniture, appliances, and other necessities to those in need at no cost. The store is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Thrift Store - Accepts donated items and sells them at reduced rates. Works in conjunction with Emergency Services, provides furniture, appliances etc., at no charge to those in need.
Date Started: April1983
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; $2 Bag Day Third Thursday of every month
Eligibility Requirements: None
Families Served in 2009: $52,412 in sales (1%) by 7,469 (12%)Customers (not included in total below)

Volunteers - Multiple opportunities to serve others.
Date Started: April1983
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Eligibility Requirements: None
Families Served in 2009: 338 Volunteers (8%) & Community Service individuals donated 6,050.25
Hours (19%) Total # of individuals served in 2009= 2,744