Change is happening at the Home on Ferdinand - both for the guests who stay there and for the people who support them.

The transitional home for women and children recently underwent two staffing changes, said Corinna Harnly, board chair of Manheim Community Life Group, the organization that operates the home. Kaitlyn Hill became the home's director at the beginning of 2024. "She's been with us since we opened in 2021," Harnly said, noting that Hill began as the live-in house manager. She's joined by Regan Young, who just came on board to fill Hill's former role with some expanded responsibilities. Young is the house and community connections coordinator, and she'll work in the home to organize volunteers and oversee scheduling as well as connect with businesses, churches and other organizations in the community for fundraising and public relations opportunities.

The Home on Ferdinand has also undergone renovations recently. "We painted and freshened up our basement area to make a kids' play area," Harnly said. "We also just finished fundraising for a pantry renovation that will be taking place shortly as we expand and revamp our pantry."

The home can accommodate seven mothers and their children at a time. In 2023, the organization served 14 women and 18 children.

"We received 267 calls last year for housing," Harnly said. "There is a huge need for housing in the area. We averaged five calls a week."

She's excited about being able to fill the home to capacity now that the organization is fully staffed, and she encourages people to support the home's mission by attending the nonprofit's third annual benefit event on Friday, Feb. 23. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim. Tickets are not required for the event.

"We will auction off a bunch of pies and we'll have lots of baskets available for a silent auction," Harnly said. Items will include signed Steelers and Flyers merchandise, Sight & Sound Theatres tickets, golf packages, ballet tickets and more. Food will be served, and staff from the home will share more about the home's mission.

"It's going to be a really neat evening to hear what God's been doing in the home," Harnly said. Opened in November 2021, the Home on Ferdinand provides housing, counseling, case management and life skills training to help women get back on the road to self-sufficiency.

Hill said walking alongside current and future participants, connecting with them and building relationships is what she's most looking forward to in her new role.

"My heart for each of the families I come in contact with is that they can experience the love and grace of God through Home on Ferdinand," she shared. "I want each person to experience what it is like to have someone believe in them and not treat them like just another number in the system."

Young said she's excited about connecting the home and its mission to the wider community.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to use my creativity and problem-solving skills to come up with innovative ways to engage with the community and build lasting relationships with donors," she commented.

For more information on the Home on Ferdinand or the benefit event, visit http://www.manheimcommunitylifegroup.org or follow "Home on Ferdinand" on Facebook.