LEWISBURG — More information is available today about a new sexual assault support facility planned in the Lewisburg area. Maeling Krantz, CEO of Transitions of Pennsylvania, tells us, the center will be built at 322 JPM Road on about three acres of land donated by WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital.
Officials say the site will be intentionally visible and accessible, shifting away from models that keep survivors hidden. They say confidentiality remains central while improving access to services.
Organizers say all existing services will continue without disruption during development. They say planning is underway, with construction expected to take about three years and future opportunities for community engagement and investment.
What follows is a feature length article about the facility:
LEWISBURG — A major investment in survivor support services is taking shape in the Susquehanna Valley, as WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital has donated nearly three acres of land to Transitions of PA—marking a pivotal moment during the organization’s 50th year of service.
The 2.88-acre parcel, located at 322 JPM Road in Lewisburg, represents more than a land transfer. Leaders from both organizations describe it as a long-term commitment to rethinking how communities support victims and survivors of violence—making services more visible, accessible, and integrated into everyday life.
For five decades, Transitions of PA has quietly provided a wide range of trauma-informed services across Union, Snyder, and Northumberland counties. Those services include advocacy, counseling, legal support, prevention education, and housing assistance for individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
But the organization now says the traditional model—often requiring survivors to remain hidden to stay safe—is evolving.
“We plan to intentionally move away from the idea that survivors should have to remain hidden in order to be safe,” said Mae-Ling Kranz of Transitions of PA. “For far too long, individuals and families have had to navigate systems quietly, often without clear visibility or ease of access.”
That philosophy is shaping plans for what could become a state-of-the-art comprehensive crime victim center on the newly donated property.
While still in early planning stages, the vision is for a facility that is forward-facing—one that signals to the community that help is available, accessible, and part of a broader network of health and wellness.
Kranz says the goal is not to compromise safety, but to enhance it.
“Safety and confidentiality will always remain central to our work, but that does not have to mean being invisible,” she said. “This model allows us to strengthen safety planning while improving access to support.”
WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital leaders say the donation aligns closely with their broader mission of community health.
“Health and healing extend far beyond our hospital walls,” said Allen Fasnacht, President of WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital. “They live in the strength of our community and the partnerships that support it.”
Fasnacht says the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring individuals and families feel safe, supported, and connected to the resources they need.
The project also represents a significant opportunity to expand services and improve coordination among agencies serving vulnerable populations.
Transitions leaders say the new center could strengthen collaboration with healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community organizations—creating more seamless pathways for survivors seeking help.
The effort builds on a foundation already in place. Transitions currently serves not only its core three-county region, but also provides expanded housing services in Columbia, Montour, Clinton, Lycoming, and Schuylkill counties.
Importantly, officials stress that all existing services will continue without disruption during the planning and development process.
Instead, the new facility is seen as an opportunity to grow—both in scale and in approach.
Early planning has already included a feasibility study to guide long-term development and funding strategies. A general construction timeline of approximately three years is anticipated, though details will continue to evolve as design and community input progress.
Transitions leaders say there will be opportunities for public engagement as the project moves forward, including ways for community members and partners to contribute to the vision.
As the organization reflects on its 50-year legacy, the land donation is being framed as a turning point.
“This is an investment in the future,” Kranz said. “It creates new opportunities to build strength through community while ensuring survivors continue to have access to compassionate, life-changing support.”
At its core, the project aims to reduce barriers—whether physical, emotional, or systemic—that prevent people from seeking help.
By making services more visible and integrated, organizers hope to foster a community where support is not hidden away, but recognized as an essential part of public health and well-being.
And for survivors and families across the region, that shift could mean easier access to care, stronger connections, and a clearer path forward.
The post New Details on Transitions Sex Assault Support Facility first appeared on Newsradio 1070 WKOK.
