Dec 8, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

The coming year will mark 50 years of service for Crosskeys Human Services, Inc.

In 1975, the Rev. Edward F. Higgins wanted to provide services to the elderly. He reached out to the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister James Ann Germuska, a schoolteacher at the time, was assigned to lead the organization.

“We contacted the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging (SWPA) and worked with them to put a senior center in Brownsville. Then a year later, we added home-delivered meals to the program,” said Germuska.

Adults who are 60 and over are welcome to make a reservation to participate in the lunch program. There’s a suggested donation of $2 per meal, but no one will be turned away if cost is an issue. Between 11 and 11:30 a.m., visitors can eat at the center in Brownsville, or stop in to take a lunch home.

Crosskeys offers social interaction and a variety of events on the calendar such as fitness classes, health screenings, educational speakers and games at the Brownsville Senior Center.

The nonprofit also offers free public transportation to and from the senior center.

In 1984, Crosskeys built a second senior center in Republic, and today they are serving meals in both centers in addition to more than 200 hot meals every day to homebound seniors in the neighborhoods.

But, Germuska didn’t stop there.

Once the senior centers were running smoothly, she created a new program to serve individuals in need of behavioral health programs.

“In 1993, we opened a community rehabilitation program in three locations in Brownsville for the chronically or mentally ill in Fayette County. It’s a residential program that we staff around the clock,” Germuska said. “We also opened a psychiatric day program in Uniontown and people come in to learn skills in social situations, employment and education.”

As the program grew, they began offering a mobile option as well.

The first of its kind in Pennsylvania, The Youth Psych Rehab is focused on ages 14 to 26. Services are delivered by licensed professionals who will meet with clients where they are most comfortable.

“We started the program about a year ago, and it’s helpful for young people when you can meet them in their environment,” Germuska said.

Higgins passed away before all of the programs came to fruition, but Germuska thinks he would be proud to see what it has become.

“Father Higgins wanted to open the doors to the needy, and the needs are always exceeding the funding. My religious community has been so generous, and our elected officials have been wonderful to Crosskeys,” Germuska said.

For the sister who loved her teaching position at the school, she’s found plenty of teaching opportunities in her role at Crosskeys too.

“I still teach at the parish and I conduct classes at night. I’ve been able to continue helping others, even if it’s in a different way,” Germuska said.

Visit https://crosskeyshumanservices.org/ for more information.