July 15, 2026 UPDATE
On behalf of everyone at The Bethany House, we extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Martinsburg for its generous allocation of $132,000 in support of our mission.
This funding allows us to remain operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—for now—and ensures that we can continue providing a safe place, compassionate care, and critical services to those who need them most.
We are deeply grateful for the City's recognition of the importance of this work and for its investment in our community's most vulnerable residents. This support is more than a financial contribution; it is a commitment to hope, dignity, and the well-being of our neighbors.
Thank you to Mayor Knowles, the City of Martinsburg, its elected officials, and everyone who made this funding possible. Your partnership makes a meaningful difference, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community together.
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It is with heavy hearts that we share some difficult news. Due to funding cuts and staffing challenges, as of July 7, 2026, the Bethany House will only be able to operate on a very limited schedule.
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 Bethany House is primarily funded through The WV Coalition to End Homelessness. The Coalition announced their funding decisions for shelters in West Virginia on Thursday, July 2, 2026. For FY 26-27, the Bethany House was awarded $110,493. That amount equals to $302.72 per day. Unfortunately, rising operational costs and limited funding have made it impossible to continue offering all of our services at the current level. As a result, food services will end and operational hours will be 7p.m - 7a.m daily to ensure clients have a safe and secure place to lay their heads.
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.
As the only dedicated women’s shelter and the only resource for women with children, we know the Bethany House is a critical resource for women and families experiencing homelessness. Our shelter exists because we believe that every person deserves safety, hope, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
We remain dedicated to our mission and hopeful that this will not be a permanent solution.