(ALLENTOWN, PA) – The Allentown Rescue Mission congratulates its Clean Team Workforce Employee of the Month for January, John K.

John came to the Mission’s Emergency Shelter in October 2023, after he lost his place to live. John lived with a friend during the COVID pandemic. He helped pay rent to reduce the mortgage cost, however, the owner decided to sell the house which left John homeless and with little savings after being laid off during the pandemic. Luckily, another friend told John that the Allentown Rescue Mission could help him with temporary housing.

While staying in the Emergency Shelter, John learned about the eight-week Transformation Program and Clean Team Workforce. He liked that he could learn new life and workforce development skills and then receive a job when he graduated from the Transformation Program. John also discovered that the Mission offered an educational scholarship fund that could help him pay for courses to reinstate his Commercial Driver’s License that lapsed after he was laid off. He joined the Transformation Program in October 2023 and graduated in December 2023.

John came to the Clean Team Workforce with plenty of work experience and has been doing very well. He served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as a radio teletype operator before being honorably discharged as a sergeant. Afterward, he worked in warehouses and drove as a long-haul truck driver for 10 years until he was laid off during the pandemic.

The Allentown Rescue Mission gave John the time and help he needed to put his life back together after the pandemic stole his livelihood. John’s future plans are to start driving trucks again after his CDL is reinstated and to save money for his retirement. The Mission wishes John the best and knows he has the tools to succeed.

The Allentown Rescue Mission, a 501c3, 123 bed non-profit homeless shelter has been providing shelter for homeless men since 1900. In addition to emergency shelter services (365 days a year), the Allentown Rescue Mission offers a residential life skills program, and transitional employment on the Clean Team Workforce that’s available for hire to the community. The Clean Team Workforce pays the men above PA state minimum wage– helping them save a nest egg to transition back into the community. In a typical year, the Allentown Rescue Mission provides shelter services for over 946 men per year, and serves over 42,000 meals a year to men in need.

To refer someone to the Allentown Rescue Mission for services or to learn ways you can help make a difference please visit www.allentownrescuemission.org

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Stefanie Appel
Community Relations
Allentown Rescue Mission
www.allentownrescuemission.org
 

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