Mayor Sean M. Schultz presented a proclamation at the Oct. 9 council meeting declaring Nov. 1, 2025, "Extra Mile Day" in recognition of Community Cares and its services to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Carlisle and Cumberland County.

Beth Kemp, executive director of Community Cares, told council the nonprofit has operated about 21 years and "have provided over, close to 400,000 nights of sleep for people." She outlined 2025 activity and partnerships: family shelter services moved to private rooms in Shippensburg with capacity reduced from 17 to 12 families any given night; the organization provides recuperative care in partnership with WellSpan Health; and the borough-based shelter at Saint Paul's now provides private beds for approximately 45 individuals any given night.

Kemp gave additional figures for 2025 through the date of the presentation: Community Cares connected with 320 individuals (278 households) who were unsheltered at some point in Cumberland County; it housed 71 households (reported as 254 individuals in family shelter); it supported 311 individuals in the men’s and women’s shelter (reported as 280 households — note counts reported in different household/individual terms); recuperative care helped 43 individuals; and during the most recent winter shelter period Community Cares supported about 180 individuals, averaging about 38 men and women each night, up from roughly 15 in prior years.

Kemp described a funded diversion program launched in June that uses small, targeted supports — such as paying a short utility bill, buying groceries, or arranging transportation — to prevent people from entering the homelessness system. She reported 86 diversion attempts with a 29% success rate. Kemp also described individual client success stories, including a household relocated and receiving dialysis care that made the client eligible for the transplant list.

Mayor Schultz framed the proclamation and remarks as recognition of "unwavering servant leadership" and said the borough remains "invested and behind Community Cares." Council members thanked Kemp for the update; no formal vote was required for the proclamation presentation.

Kemp asked for continued community support and noted a countywide increase in homelessness the mayor estimated "about a third," which the mayor attributed to recent trends. The organization asked for continued collaboration with the borough and local partners to meet shelter and prevention needs.