New Hope Ministries provides emergency/crisis financial and material assistance to approximately 5,300 individuals in 2,000 families in-crisis or at-risk in the Dillsburg, Dover and Mechanicsburg communities of south central Pennsylvania. Assistance with basic life essentials includes: food, housing, healthcare (prescription, medical, dental and eye care), fuel, utilities and transportation. New Hope maintains food pantries and participates in the USDA Food Distribution Program.

While many of New Hope's clients seek service because of a crisis, such as the loss of a job, a divorce, or an illness, others could be considered the "working poor" – those who continue to work, but simply cannot make ends meet. Most are disenfranchised and represent the socially "disconnected" segment of modern culture.

Potential clients are referred to New Hope through a variety of sources, including social service agencies, local churches and other support agencies. At the initial visit, clients receive an extensive intake and screening process, including documentation of income, residency, and living expenses to determine eligibility for services. In general, services are available to those at 150% or less of the poverty level, using USDA guidelines.

Many additional services are provided through a network of partnerships New Hope has forged over the years, including those with local business owners, physicians, dentists, and pharmacists, and with local fuel and utility companies. New Hope is also a critical liaison for clients to access assistance from other community resources. Our clients also receive financial and budget counseling, goal-setting, and emotional support to assist them in achieving long-term stability.

Emergency/Crisis Program goals and outcomes are monitored on an ongoing basis, and actively utilized to improve our service to the community. We believe that our outcome measures fairly reflect New Hope's effectiveness in reaching needy individuals and families in our service area, and help us to accurately evaluate our effectiveness in achieving our mission.