Story Highlight: Jay & Maggie’s TLC Legacy

When Jay and Maggie Kiralfy began working at the Transitional Living Center (TLC) shelter in 1987, they had no idea that they were beginning a legacy that would impact the Lancaster community for decades to come. TLC, which at the time was known as Harb-Adult, was created by a group of volunteers concerned with the lack of support for individuals experiencing homelessness in Lancaster County. The shelter was set up in the old King Douglas Hotel, to provide temporary housing and a supportive environment for those individuals.

Like a hotel, the property was to be operated 24/7, 365 days a year, and finding someone who was able to take on that workload was challenging. However, the shelter found its manager in Jay Kiralfy, who was returning to Pennsylvania after working in the hotel industry in Las Vegas for 16 years. As a hotel property manager, Jay was used to an around-the-clock schedule. His wife, Maggie, had worked in hotel reservations and was comfortable running the front desk. The shelter’s Board offered them the roles, and they accepted. Although they had no experience working in homelessness services, Jay and Maggie took on their roles with passion and determination.

Jay began as the manager and later became the shelter’s first Executive Director. For 16 years, he oversaw the daily operations of the property and also managed fundraising, bookkeeping, payroll, writing newsletters, and more. His workload was intense. “There was no going home at 5:00,” he shares. Whatever needed to be done, he stepped in to do it. However, he emphasizes the support he had from the Board, who raised the initial funds to purchase and renovate the building and established the structure of the program. He also relied on the dedicated staff and learned a lot about how to support shelter residents from those who had experience in social work. “They did amazing things,” he shares. “The staff, the board, the volunteers… everybody was there for the same purpose, to help.”

Maggie worked at TLC’s front desk for 28 years, where she was the first to greet residents entering the shelter. She had a kind but firm approach. If anyone tried to argue with the rules of the property, she would tell them her signature phrase: “Either you shape up, or you ship out.” For the most part, though, residents were kind and respectful. “The residents that I worked with were absolutely wonderful,” she shares. After retiring, Maggie continued to volunteer at TLC for another four years. She was such a presence there that on occasion, people who had been at the shelter 20 years earlier would stop by to say hello and thank her for helping them.

At first, TLC simply provided housing on a week-by-week basis. Over time, recognizing that residents needed more structure and support, the Board, Jay, and the other staff developed the PRIDE program: Positive Redirection to Independence with Dignity through Education. The program emphasized self-sufficiency and empowered residents to achieve long-term stability. “Be safe, be respectful, be responsible, and be productive,” Jay and Maggie say. “Those were the four guiding principles that we put in place.” To this day, the TLC program emphasizes respect, dignity, and empowerment for all.

Over the years, Jay and Maggie have remained involved in TLC. They keep in touch with staff and stop by from time to time to say hello. Jay shares that the work of TLC is more important than ever. “The lack of affordable housing was obvious back in the 80s, and it’s only gotten worse,” he says. “TLC is necessary, it really is.” He notes that TLC is especially important for families experiencing homelessness, as the shelter’s hotel-style units allow families of all sizes to stay together. Families are never separated at TLC.

Although Jay and Maggie’s legacy at TLC is undeniable, they both emphasize that the shelter has always been a team effort. Individuals, businesses, and churches throughout Lancaster have donated, volunteered, and supported TLC from the very beginning. “The support from the community has been so important over the years,” Jay says.

Today, TLC is once again seeking support from the community. Tenfold is beginning a major, much-needed renovation to TLC property that will upgrade the aging utilities systems, remove the risk of exposure to old lead-based paint, and improve accessibility throughout. To raise the final funds needed for the renovation, Tenfold is seeking donations from community members. “We’re going to need the support of individuals, businesses, churches,” says Jay. Both he and Maggie hope that the community will rally around the project, and they’re looking forward to seeing the new TLC when it is finished, sharing that “We’re going to be involved all the way through.”

To learn more about the TLC renovation project and to donate, click here. Your donation will help ensure that TLC can continue serving the community for many years to come.