The need for community services is on the rise in Elizabethtown, and United Churches Elizabethtown Area (UCEA) is here to help. The organization operates Community Place on Washington, 61 E. Washington St., and is hard at work constructing a new building on the campus. The new building, located at 105 E. Washington St., is set to open in October and will double the amount of space available for community programs and services, said Derrick McDonald, UCEA president.

Construction began on the project in November of 2020 and continues the growth that the organization has seen over the past few years. In October of 2018, Community Place on Washington opened, fulfilling UCEA's mission of having a social services complex within walking distance of downtown Elizabethtown, where agencies could come together to serve the community in one location. Community Place on Washington is home to Elizabethtown Community Housing and Outreach Services (ECHOS), as well as Elizabethtown Area Communities That Care, the Elizabethtown Area HUB, Tabor financial services, UCEA's food pantry (the Community Cupboard) and the Clothing Barn.

The new building will meet the growing needs of ECHOS in particular, McDonald said. "The majority of the new space will be for ECHOS," he explained. "It will house the ECHOS enrichment center, expanded winter shelter, mental health resources, offices and apartments for their housing programs." McDonald noted that the building also has room for additional nonprofits that may be looking to relocate.

Funding for the project is provided by Community Development Block Grants through the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, and church bonds are being sold to finance the rest of the construction, McDonald said. He added that although the project is well underway, help is needed to be sure it continues.

"We often put our list of needs on Facebook, and we also have a website that people can go to to see how they can help," McDonald stated. "We are always accepting donations, and we can always use volunteers for various projects, whether it's a cleanup project or helping with the food pantry or working at the Clothing Barn."

He noted that response from the community has been very positive for Community Place on Washington and its expansion. "This time last year, we had no idea how we were going to do anything or be able to expand, and volunteers just stepped up," he remarked. "I want to thank the community for all the wonderful support they've given so far and to ask for their prayers and continued support for the work we're doing. It has been an absolute blessing - especially this past year when so many people are struggling - to have the community help us in so many ways to make sure we are able to continue to support people who need us."

For more information on Community Place on Washington, search for the organization on Facebook or visit https://communityplaceetown.org.