The story of how Reclamation Community Center in Monroeville came to fruition has many layers, according to founder and executive director Tom Mitlo.
He, wife Jan and their three children used to attend Monroeville Baptist Church services in the space the center now occupies. Tom was the building and grounds chair from 2000-05.
The Baptist church eventually changed its name to Monroeville Community Church. Because of a pastor relocation and subsequent low attendance, leaders gave the building and its 20 acres to the nondenominational Reclamation Church on March 17, 2023. The agreement was that the small congregation could use the building at 2456 Tilbrook Road for worship.
The Reclamation Community Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents through diverse, faith-based services; to “strengthen social bonds, empower individuals and families, and contribute to the collective thriving of the Monroeville community.”
Through donations, Reclamation was able to renovate the building, including a new roof.
Mitlo, a Slippery Rock University graduate with more than 40 years of business and ministry, spearheads the nonprofit’s many programs.
“I was in prayerful pursuit of what God wanted us to do with the building,” he said. “We are different than most other community centers.”
When deciding whether to conduct a particular program, Mitlo asks himself: Does it provide hope and healing?
Haven Childcare Center is a new programoffering full- and part-time day care, traditional preschool and hybrid homeschooling.
“We ask the question, how can we build character in your child so that they can grow?” said Mitlo of the faith-based center.
Mitlo stressed that childcare programs are run by master-level, certified teachers. It is the only Reclamation program that is not free of charge.
Reclamation is also home to Sheep Inc., a free health clinic for the uninsured.
“The only stipulation is that the patient does not have any type of health care,” Mitlo said, adding that they program is great for young adults who are no longer on their parents’ health insurance, someone between jobs or those who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
Doctors and nurses volunteer their time and offer routine primary care, such as physicals for employment. Reclamation has contacts with various medical offices, which provide discounted blood work and prescriptions for patients.
Additionally, the center is home to a food pantry for residents of the Monroeville, Pitcairn and Trafford areas. It is open on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
Visitors can use shopping carts to choose their own items. Animal Friends also donates pet food.
With the motto, “Dry bottoms, beautiful minds,” Diapers Books provides underwear products for children and adults, as well as children’s books, free of charge.
The center also is home to Celebrate Recovery, a spiritual 12-step program for anyone who is living with any kind of pain or addiction. The group meets weekly on Fridays.
What’s Brewing is a casual gathering of military veterans that offers a safe, comfortable space to meet, drink coffee and share resources. The center also houses RCC Athletics, which includes a deck hockey league and volleyball.
The center accepts monetary donations through its website, along with food donations, diapers and over-the-counter medications. All items must be new, except for children’s books, which may be used but in good condition.
For more information, contact Mitlo at tom@reclamationcc.org or 412-376-9350.