Stenton Family Manor is a handicap-accessible, homeless shelter exclusively for families in transition operated by Mt. Airy Bethesda, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in July 1991 by Bishop Ernest C. Morris, Chief Executive Officer and Founder. Founded over fifteen years ago as a place in which homeless families could find shelter, security and the promise of a future, Mt. Airy Bethesda, Inc./ Stenton Family Manor (SFM) offers temporary housing on the condition that its inhabitants actively seek independent living and self-sufficiency. Over the years of its existence, SFM has improved and increased its services to homeless families through a network of community collaborations and partnerships that have broadened opportunities for residents to build foundations for independent living. The clients comply with the rules and regulations determined by the shelter and the City of Philadelphia Office of Supportive Housing. SFM responds to the needs of the families by providing mainstream programs with the ability to significantly impact, at the local level the plight of the homeless. The program attempts to make the assistance we provide more outcome driven by tailoring solution-oriented approaches directed to the needs of the homeless family. SFM’s program incorporates and strongly supports the goals of the National Alliance to End Homelessness as well as the Blue Print to End Homelessness.

The mission of the organization is to empower families in transition by enhancing and enriching the quality of their lives; to stimulate their minds and to promote pride and self-confidence through the implementation of a variety of comprehensive, structured programming and activities; to enhance their capabilities and to prepare them for self-sufficiency through educational and job training programs. The overall goal is to effectively transition families into stable housing and society as productive, participating and contributing citizens.

Stenton Family Manor is managed by Elder J. Robert Harrison, Executive Director, who has 20 years experience in the field of Human Services with nine of those years specifically working with the homeless population.