Clare House Lancaster is a transitional housing program for women and children who have experienced hardships such as homelessness or domestic violence. The program is operated by four remarkably badass women; Amanda Lynn McCoy, Michelle Rybner, Katie Redmond, and Damaris McNeil. Each of them plays an important role in supporting and improving the lives of women and children in our community. While their job titles differ, their desire and motivation to help a fellow woman in need is what brought them all to Clare House.
Clare House’s program was established in 1980 to provide transitional housing and supportive services for women and children. While the organization has grown and adapted over its four-decade history, details about its original founders are not directly known. The mission of Clare House is deeply rooted in empowering women by helping them achieve financial stability and creating individualized plans tailored to their goals. The program has proved to be very successful, with impressive stats surrounding residents who are able to gain the skills and have access to resources to build financial stability, secure housing, and gain employment. Each resident is provided with aftercare support for 6 months following their stay at Clare House, and 75% of residents secure housing at the end of the program. The program celebrated the recent milestone of having their first resident leave the program and go directly into home ownership.
Women fleeing abusive situations often leave without financial resources or a support network, making them vulnerable to homelessness. Shelters and affordable housing options may be insufficient to meet demand, which is a problem Lancaster city has been facing very publicly in recent months. Persistent wage gaps often leave women with fewer financial resources, especially single mothers who face additional burdens due to the high cost of childcare. Housing costs in many areas remain unaffordable, especially for women earning lower wages or mothers who are only able to work part-time due to their available childcare options. Additionally, mental health conditions and substance dependencies are common among homeless women, yet access to affordable treatment remains a significant barrier.
Clare House’s programs aim to alleviate the stress and difficulties of each of these known issues that single mothers currently face. By offering programs aimed at financial literacy, job readiness, and employment support, Clare House can help women overcome wage gaps and unemployment, equipping them with tools to secure stable income. Clare House fosters a supportive community through mentorship, childcare assistance, and family counseling, helping women build the confidence and resources they need to thrive.
Clare House could not provide these services and programs without donor and volunteer assistance. They are supported through a combination of donor funding, fundraising events, grants, and community partnerships. Key funding sources include individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and campaigns like the ExtraGive fundraiser. Clare House relies heavily on community generosity, with opportunities for individuals to contribute through direct donations or by participating in events and volunteering efforts. During ExtraGive, Clare House received $38,000 of their $100,000 goal. These donations go towards their Growing Forward campaign, which secures funding for the Sally Lawrence House which will serve as the new headquarters for Clare House.
The Sally Lawrence house will give the opportunity for Clare House to expand their programs to accommodate larger families, providing each family with their own kitchenette setup. They will also be able to accept families with more than 3 children, and aim to make this location ADA-compliant to be able to help clients with varying disabilities.
This is such an amazingly supportive organization, and is one that may be otherwise overlooked due to the mass number of local non-profit organizations. Please check out Clare House’s website or social media pages for more information. If you cannot donate monetarily, they are always looking for volunteers for many roles within their programs.
Femme Forward - Lancaster, PA 
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