Vulnerable Residents don't deserve to be punished for the crimes of their abuser

Dear Governor Shapiro,

We urgently need your immediate attention and decisive action to preserve housing for some of the most vulnerable citizens among us. Our ministry is facing a crisis that threatens the survival of Faith Friendship Villa, a nonprofit personal care home that has faithfully served the community for over 22 years housing up to 73 individuals who have nowhere else to go.

Faith Friendship Villa is home to 73 residents in Lancaster County, PA, who  are afflicted with complicated and persistent mental illnesses and other challenges. These residents, with very low and fixed incomes, cannot live alone and don’t meet the criteria for hospitalization. The Villa is their community, where they have built their lives and found their families. The threat of closure, which would displace all our beloved residents, is real due to the impact of the criminal actions of a former employee discovered in August 2022.

In August 2022, a resident came forward with a story of sexual abuse by one of our employees. This trusted and respected employee had been harming our residents, which was devastating to learn. Our leadership's pursuit of truth led to the discovery of 13 more stories of abuse, resulting in this man being sentenced to up to 28 years in state prison. However, this crisis has severely impacted our funding and ability to raise funds, threatening to shut us down and further punish the victims.

The potential closure of this institution not only threatens the well-being of our current residents but destroys the stability, progress, and sense of family they've found here. According to data from AgingInPlace.org, moving vulnerable or elderly people can cause "transfer trauma," leading to increased stress levels and health complications. This is even worse for those with severe mental illness.

Sandy and Shamar enjoying a whopper.

Please help us, Governor! Our residents, who consider Faith Friendship Villa their home, did nothing wrong. Twelve of the 14 victims still live at the Villa, and preserving their stability is crucial. Their incomes are already 50% less than what it costs to care for them, and difficulty raising funds just further threatens this vulnerability. They deserve better.

We urge state and local authorities in the Commonwealth of PA and Lancaster County, as well as relevant stakeholders, to intervene promptly with funding. This work is already grossly underfunded and in high demand. With over 485 Personal Care Homes closing since 2008, let's not add to that tragedy for the residents or our communities.

We need your support to keep Faith Friendship Villa open and continue providing care for our residents. We are asking you to step in and help keep the Villa open, so our residents see justice.

Please help us save their home by signing and sharing our petition to let our Governor know his direct help is needed Thank you.

Donations can be made on our website at Our website

Please help us spread the word, share with your friends, work, and family and social media connections. You can help us save their home by signing and sharing.

Donations can be made at    Our website

Thank you!