(ALLENTOWN, PA) – The Clean Team Workforce congratulates its Employee of the Month for February,
Peter F.
After the death of his wife four years ago, Peter was ready to give up on life. He couldn’t function and
quit his job as a horse groomer. He struggled with depression and felt that he was too old to matter or
make a difference in the world. After his savings ran out, Peter was evicted from his apartment, and he
attempted to take his life. He stayed in a mental health program for six months and then came to the
Allentown Rescue Mission.
At the Mission, Peter felt his anxiety lift after his immediate needs were met and he talked to other
guests and realized he wasn’t alone. He joined the eight-week Transformation Program and enjoyed
learning new skills and ideas. Mission staff knew a change was happening inside of Peter because he
began to smile, something he never thought he would do again. “I became closer to God,” Peter stated.
Peter started working for the Clean Team Workforce after graduating from the Transformation Program.
He worked on street cleaning assignments for several weeks and would always stop by the Clean Team
Workforce office to thank the managers for giving him the opportunity to work. Peter arrives every day
with a big smile and is happy to be productive and earn money.
Then, an opportunity arose in the Food Service Department of the Allentown Rescue Mission. Peter
jumped at the chance to do this type of work. He and his wife had cooked together, and he knew she
would love that he was cooking. The Food Service Manager has taken Peter under his wing and is
teaching him kitchen skills to make him eligible for a job after he leaves the Clean Team Workforce.
Peter’s goal is to take advantage of his new skills and find a job in the restaurant industry in the Lehigh
Valley. He has been saving money and is looking for a place to live. Everyone at the Mission is rooting
for Peter and wishes him the best of luck in the future.
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The Allentown Rescue Mission, a 501c3, 123 bed non-profit homeless shelter has been providing shelter
to men experiencing homelessness since 1900. In addition to emergency shelter services (365 days a
year), the Allentown Rescue Mission offers a residential life skills program, and transitional employment
on the Clean Team Workforce that’s available for hire to the community. The Clean Team Workforce
pays the men above PA state minimum wage– helping them save a nest egg to transition back into the
community. In a typical year, the Allentown Rescue Mission provides shelter services for nearly 1,000
men and serves more than 60,000 meals to men in need.
To refer someone to the Allentown Rescue Mission for services or to learn ways you can help make a
difference please visit www.allentownrescuemission.org
