Our Mission, Vision & History

1968: Tabor Community Services organized as a non-profit agency.

1969-1975: Tabor buys, renovates (mostly with volunteer labor), and sells 27 houses.

1971: Tabor becomes an approved housing counseling agency and receives funds from HUD.

1976: Tabor expands its services to include Lancaster County.

1977: Branch office opens in Columbia.

1982: Government funds reduce Columbia office; scaled down to a part-time satellite office.

1984: Tabor becomes approved counseling agency through HEMAP, the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program in three counties.

1985: Tabor approved as a closing agency for HEMAP in 17 counties.

1986: Tabor approved as a consumer credit counseling agency.

1988: Tabor purchases two buildings with 11 apartments in Columbia.
Tabor becomes a member of the National Foundation for Consumer Credit.

1991: Tabor purchases a large office building at 439 E King St and moves administrative offices to that location. Satellite offices open in Lebanon and Chambersberg.
A program begins to help homeless families move from shelters to permanent housing.

1992: Pre-purchase counseling begins again.

1993: Renovation of 23 apartments for low-income and handicapped people at 439 E King St, Lancaster
Branch office opens in Coatesville.

1998: Tabor becomes accredited through the Council on Accreditation.

2001: Tabor named National Foundation for Consumer Credit National Pace Award Winner - Agency of the Year.

2004: Tabor collaborates with five other local agencies to launch the East King Improvement District (EKID), a comprehensive community revitalization effort in the City's eastern end along the East King Street corridor. EKID's Neighborhood Center and staff offices are housed in an annex adjacent to Tabor's Eastern Market building.
Tabor also merged with Transitional Living Center (formerly Harb-Adult) to provide 54 rooms along with case management and supportive services for homeless individuals, couples, and families.

2006: Tabor and several collaborating partner agencies launched Lancaster City Living, a comprehensive effort to promote homeownership in the City. Lancaster City Living is administered by Tabor and is located at Tabor's headquarters on East King Street.
Tabor merged with Beth Shalom, a program which offers transitional housing (five apartments) coupled with supportive services and case management for women exiting prison and their children.

2007: The Beth Shalom apartments were extensively renovated by Habitat from Humanity and opened in December.
Also in December, Tabor, in conjunction with Water St Rescue Mission, launched Lancaster's Community Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC), a day-time refuge for those experiencing homelessness. Its open doors allow people to relax, grab a snack, use a restroom and gather resources to help end their homelessness.

2008: Tabor's 40th anniversary! Tabor has been privileged to be trusted with family and community revitalization for so long. The Veterans' Victory House program is founded with 17 rooms in TLC specifically set aside for veterans experiencing homelessness.

2011Financial Education Department formalized offering over 100 workshops annually on a variety of topics that are open to both clients and the public. The Eastern Market Plaza at the front of the Tabor building was completed.