The American Rescue Workers (ARW), a fixture in Lycoming County, is celebrating 90 years of operation this year and will be having a get-together on September 19th, from 2-6 p.m. at their Elmira St. location. Founded in 1934 by the Rev. William Morehart, the ARW has helped hundreds of thousands of Lycoming County’s neediest. According to their website, Rev. Morehart began his mission by founding Calvary Rescue Mission, a small duplex off W. Edwin St, to provide low-income individuals a place to sleep and food. He continued his mission until the mid-1950s when his health declined. Succeeding Morehart, Rev. Russell Pidcoe took over, leading to the 1959 merger with the American Rescue Workers National Organization and the establishment of the Williamsport Corps.
As the organization continued to grow, the ARW moved to a larger house on Lycoming Street in 1968, which was converted into a shelter. In 1969, under the leadership of Adjutant and Mrs. Charles Dederick, the ministry expanded rapidly, opening thrift stores, obtaining a warehouse for donations, and developing a youth ministry.
Later, in 1975, the ARW purchased St. John’s Reformed Church, which became the new center for programming, including shelter operations and education. In 1980, Captain Claude Astin Jr. took over leadership of the ARW, further expanding the ministry by purchasing Lowry Electric Company to accommodate more homeless men. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the ARW continued to grow by establishing shelters for families, women, and children and founding the Love Center in Jersey Shore.
In 1996, Colonel Claude Astin Jr. became the new Commander-in-Chief. Then, in 1997, the National Headquarters of ARW relocated permanently to Williamsport, with Majors Sam and Dawn Astin appointed as Commanding Officers, continuing the mission. In 2006, the new Social Service Center was opened, and the ongoing operations of the Elmira Street warehouse underscore the organization’s commitment to sustainability and community support.
Annually, ARW provides shelter to over 750 homeless men, women, and children and serves approximately 100,000 meals to residents and members of the community. Their shelter on Campbell Street, Saving Grace Shelter, serves men, women, and children, while the Fresh Start program on Elmira Street serves men and is a 9-12 month work therapy program. The ARW also operates a short-term, 30-day men’s emergency shelter at Elmira Street.
The Social Services Center is the organization’s preventative entity, providing financial assistance and case management. These services are distributed to individuals yearly, including 10,000 families who receive groceries. The ARW’s focus is to help members of the community reach self-sufficiency through work programs, shelter, food, case management, and holistic guidance. In addition, they provide over $200,000 annually in rental and utility assistance to prevent a homeless crisis from occurring because of shut-off notices or eviction.
For 90 years, the ARW has provided food and shelter to thousands of people in Lycoming County and treated them with the dignity and respect they deserve. While the ARW has changed locations many times over these 90 years, its mission has never wavered.
As they proudly celebrate our 90th anniversary this year, they are filled with immense gratitude for the support and dedication they have received. Community support has allowed them to continue their good work, and it is because of generous partners that they have been able to make a meaningful impact in our community for nearly a century.
By the numbers:
– Feeding 1,000 families every month (66% increase from 2022).
– Providing 2,070 bed nights of lodging every month.
– Preventing 69 individuals from being homeless every day for 90 years!
– Fed over 2 million individuals & families.
– Provided 2,235,600 bed nights of lodging.
– Prevented 2,266,650 individuals from being homeless.
The ARW is primarily funded through the resale and recycling of donated goods in their 10 Thrift Store locations. Other critical annual funding comes from grants, generous foundations, and individual and corporate donors. You can check out the American Rescue Workers online at http://www.arwwilliamsport.org for more information. If you would like to donate, you can donate via PayPal on their website or mail your donation to American Rescue Workers, 643 Elmira Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.
