Funding changes force Bethany House to cease, diminish services

BY TABITHA JOHNSTON tjohnston@journal-news.net

MARTINSBURG — On Wednesday morning, Community Networks, Inc.’s Board of Directors made one of the most difficult public announcements it has ever had to make, in its 40-year history — that funding shortfalls have forced it to begin operating on a limited basis, for the foreseeable future.

The private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has been offering assistance to women and their children since 1986, through the establishment of their emergency shelter, Bethany House. They then expanded that work in 2000, with the opening of a transitional housing location with the capacity to accommodate nine single women, the Hope Living Center. Permanent housing assistance and support for women struggling with HIV/AIDS has also been provided by the organization, for much of its existence.

“As the only dedicated women’s shelter and the only resource for women with children, we know that Bethany House is a critical resource for women and families experiencing homelessness in the Eastern Panhandle,” said the board in a statement, noting children comprise half of its typical shelter population. “Our shelter exists, because we believe that every person deserves safety, hope and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”

Unfortunately, funding this year has proven to be much tighter than it has been in years’ past. Community Network’s goal fundraising amount, in the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle’s Unity Campaign in March, was not reached. Even more significant, was a funding shortfall from the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness.

“The Bethany House is primarily funded through the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. The coalition announced their funding decisions for shelters in West Virginia on Thursday, July 2, 2026. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the Bethany House was awarded $110,493. That amount equals to $302.72 per day,” the board said, noting that was not enough to cover their previously established operational needs. “Unfortunately, rising operational costs and limited funding have made it impossible to continue offering all of our services at the current level.”

For this reason, combined with recent staffing challenges, the board made the decision, beginning on July 7, to no longer provide food services and to limit operational hours, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day. The organization previously operated on a 24/7 basis.

“This decision was not made lightly. Every effort has been made to preserve our core mission of providing individuals with an emergency safety net, utilizing a range of services to empower them to become self-sufficient members of the community,” the board said. “We understand that these changes will affect the families who rely on us. We have been committed to helping them navigate this transition with compassion, dignity and as much support as our available resources allow. We remain dedicated to our mission, and hopeful that this will not be a permanent solution.”

Updates to this story will be made as more information becomes available.

Donations may be made to Community Networks, at https://communitynetworksinc.org/fundraising.