Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Bethesda Women’s Shelter faces renewal project, construction begins

Director Shelley Brooks (far right) and other staff at Bethesda Women’s Mission take sledgehammers to the old building.

Not too long ago, a car hit the main Bethesda Women’s Shelter building on Forster Street.

Director Shelley Brooks ran out to check the damage. Not even one brick had come loose, but to her, that was bad luck.

“I always tell everyone who visits, when they leave to take a brick with them,” she said.

Brooks finally saw her dream for renovation come true as demolition began today for the shelter renewal project.

Bethesda Women’s Mission has occupied the 120-year-old former pair of school buildings for 37 years. Brooks has worked there for 35 of them.

The 120-year-old buildings sit on the 1900-block of Forster Street.

“The buildings served us well for many years, but over the last decade, we saw deterioration,” Executive Director Scott Dunwoody said.

The shelter offers long-term and transitional living for women in crisis to seek restoration and personal growth. Many of these women have faced abuse and addiction. The buildings house 25 beds for women and their children.

Brooks explained the growing need in the Harrisburg area for young women’s support as a motivating factor in the expansion.

“It’s time to spread out a little because the need is great,” she said.

The transitional living building will be demolished and rebuilt first, followed by the main building. Once completed, the half-acre site will hold a new four-story building with 51 beds, the new transitional living building and outdoor garden and park space.

“The shelter has given women who have been in crisis a whole new opportunity for a different life,” Dunwoody said.

Within the past two years, Bethesda has raised over 85% of the $4.2 million price tag on the project through grants and private donors. They are now looking for community donations to meet their goal.

The project, taken on by Pyramid Construction, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2021.

With excitement, Brooks and other staff members took sledgehammers to one of the old brick buildings this morning.

“I feel very privileged to be where I am,” Brooks said. “This has been very much a home, and I will miss that. But I won’t miss calling the maintenance person a lot.”

Bethesda Women’s Mission is located at 1933 Forster St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.bethesdamission.org/take-action/womens-mission-renewal/.

Continue Reading