Cool Timeline
1972
In 1972, Jubilee began as a youth revival. Young people were prompted to enter the prison and witness, sharing testimony to what God had done in their lives and the freedom available to all who will claim salvation through Jesus Christ
1977
In October of 1977, a group of Mennonite women shared a desire to open a thrift store that would supply quality, inexpensive clothes to the public and generate funds for the ministry. In 1977, the first men’s chaplain was hired in Lebanon County.
1980
In the early 1980s, the Lebanon prison was moved from the basement of the courthouse to a new facility on Walnut Street. The population was about 150 inmates. Jubilee then began ministering to female prisoners.
Dozens of volunteers remodeled the thrift shop, expanding the retail space from 500 to over 2,000 square feet. Jubilee placed its first chaplain in the Camp Hill Prison.
1986
In 1986, the ministry expanded to include material assistance, which offers rental, heating, transportation, medical, food, clothing, and furniture assistance to families within the community.
1993
By the mid 1990’s, Jubilee had chaplains in seven correctional facilities: Lebanon Country Dauphin Country Camp Hill State Retreat State Frackville State Chester State Mahanoy State
In 1993, Jubilee tested out it’s first Aftercare Program – a program for inmates to enter directly after their release from prison, that would teach them essential re-entry skills and provide them with work.
1999
Jubilee began sending children of inmates and parolees to a week of Christian summer camp
2000
Jubilee bought and renovated the old Milsan Mills factory at235 S 12th Street in Lebanon and opened a clothing and furniture store to support the prison ministry programs.
2003
Palmyra store opened (the picture is of the current store; moved into in 2017)
2004
Myerstown store opened
The Quaker Alloy factory, which sat just a block from Jubilee’s new main headquarters, closed its doors. In 2006, Jubilee completed renovations on the building and opened its new “Transition House”
2008
Manheim store opened
2016
Annville store (attached to Re-Build-It) opened