Operating from November through the end of March, the Code Blue Program ensures that individuals and families in need have access to safe, warm shelter during the harshest months of the year. The program is administered in partnership with The Gate House, allowing for a collaborative approach to addressing immediate housing needs across Columbia and Montour Counties.
Currently, Bloomsburg Code Blue, in partnership with the Town of Bloomsburg, activates when temperatures drop below 45 degrees, while Berwick Code Blue, in collaboration with Berwick Borough, opens at 40 degrees. As AGAPE continues to expand, the organization is working closely with local municipalities to tailor activation guidelines that best meet each community’s needs.
Beyond offering a warm place to sleep, Code Blue focuses on long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Each participant engages in weekly case management check-ins to connect with essential resources that support their progress toward independence. The program also provides educational opportunities to help address the root causes of homelessness, including financial stability workshops, parenting classes, recovery support groups, and smoking cessation programs.
“Thanks to the generosity of the First Community Foundation Partnership, we can continue providing a lifeline to our neighbors in crisis while helping them move toward long-term stability,” said Karla Alexander, Executive Director of AGAPE. “This support strengthens our ability to offer not just shelter, but hope and the resources needed for real change.”
“The partnership with AGAPE is critical to ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to shelter and support during extreme weather,” said Krunal Thakore, Operations Director of The Gate House. “Together, we can address immediate needs while connecting people with the services and guidance they need to regain stability and independence.”
Through this comprehensive and compassionate approach, AGAPE’s Code Blue Program not only provides immediate relief during dangerous weather but also empowers individuals to break the cycle of homelessness and build a foundation for lasting independence.
ABOUT AGAPE
AGAPE, Love From Above To Our Community, is a non-denominational faith-based mission serving Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland Counties in Pennsylvania. They provide essential items like food, clothing, and household items, financial assistance, and even shelter when the temperatures are 32 degrees or below, through the Code Blue program. AGAPE also serves the community’s needs through education, networking, and referrals to other programs, and more – all while protecting the confidentiality of those they serve.
ABOUT GATEHOUSE
The Gate House is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 to provide safe shelter to homeless families within the Montour and Columbia County region of Pennsylvania.Our mission is to keep families in crisis together. We provide shelter and a stable environment to homeless men and women, along with their children. The Gate House offers seven rooms, five dedicated to families and two for individuals, along with services that help residents to transition back into the community. website
