Lebanon’s American House is not an ‘eyesore’

(Originally published May 2, 2019 for the Lebanon Daily News) — Located in the heart of downtown Lebanon at 25 S. Ninth St., American House residents are often seen sitting in front of the building or walking around the area. Yet, despite their high degree of visibility, people in the community sometimes shy away from interacting with these men and women due to stigmas surrounding mental illness.

Dave Simmons, a North Lebanon resident who drives by the personal care facility regularly, would like to see that change.

A group of 10 bikers from the Christian Motorcyclists Association visited the American House on Thursday to donate snacks, socialize and create awareness for its residents. The facility was one of several stops the organization made across the Lebanon Valley for National Day of Prayer, though for Simmons, it was perhaps the most impactful.

“I pass by here many times to go home and I see the people out front,” said Simmons in between conversations with residents.

“These people need a personal touch. They need to know and see that people are willing to reach out to them, think about them, care about them. That’s what it’s all about. It’s caring about people, loving people.”

The American House is home

The American House has been operating as a care facility for over 30 years, primarily dealing with the less fortunate and mentally ill. Most of the 65 people currently living in the building – once a hotel – don’t even have family who come to visit.

“Very few,” said Melissa Young, an administrator at the American House. “We are their family.”

“The staff, most of them have been here a long time. It’s just who they are. They stay because of the residents, not because of the pay and things like that. It’s the calling.”

There are obviously some challenges, but Young characterizes the residents as happy. They’re free to come and go as they please, and often do, routinely popping into the Lebanon Farmers Market across the street or going around the neighborhood to see their friends.

But not everybody has embraced the American House, which is clearly making a difference in these peoples’ lives. Some go so far as to complain the residents like to sit on the benches outside and smoke cigarettes, describing it as an “eyesore.”

“That’s always probably the biggest thing we hear,” said Young. “‘Well there’s all those people sitting out front smoking.’

“It’s their front porch. People sit on their front porch. I wish they didn’t smoke, but it’s what they have – and they have very little.”

Making a difference

Simmons had a unique reaction driving by. He felt the urge to help.

Through the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s Lancaster chapter, which organized five separate rides for National Day or Prayer across the region, Simmons was able to arrange for donations from Herr’s, Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips, Sunset Grocery Outlet and Redner’s Markets. He then put together little goody bags filled with snacks, which his wife, Pat, transported to the American House by car to hand out to the residents.

The group stayed at the American House for about an hour, chatting with residents and praying, then sang the first verse of ‘Amazing Grace’ before riding off to the next stop.

“The theme for National Day of Prayer is love one another,” said Simmons. “We wanted to put it in action by actually getting together with people, being with them and just showing them we care.”

Among the group’s other stops were the Muir Army Airfield at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville Police Department and Milton Hershey School.

How you can help

American House residents are fed three meals a day, but there aren’t snacks like chips or chocolate bars just lying around, so Simmons’ act of generosity actually went a long way.

It’s always best to call and ask what a shelter of any kind could use before making a donation, but in this case, food is usually a safe route. Since the American House opened in the 1980s, the facility’s food budget has ballooned at a rate that’s far outpaced the residents’ incomes.

“Food costs are ridiculous,” said Cindy Simpson, another administrator. “When I started here 25, 26 years ago, food costs might’ve been $600 a month. I can tell you that more than tripled.”

Donations can be made privately as well.

“There’s the silent people that come and drop off hams or turkeys depending what holiday it is, fruit baskets and a check,” said Simpson. “They don’t want any praise for it. They’re just people.”

You don’t necessarily need to spend money or donate to help, either. As Simmons and the Christian Motorcyclists Association demonstrated, the residents at the American House are human beings. Simply be friendly and you could be making a difference, too.

“Mental illness is not contagious,” said Simpson. “These are people. In the past we’ve had doctors who lived here. It doesn’t pick and choose.”