YOUNGSTOWN Beatitude House gets grant to aid successes

The organization helps disadvantaged women and children.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Before finding Beatitude House, a 29-year old local woman thought her college career at Youngstown State University was over after she left an abusive husband.
"If it wasn't for [Beatitude House], there's no way I could've finished school," she said. "I would've had to drop out to find work."
Now, the former abuse victim is working as a librarian and expects to receive her master's degree from Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science in August.
Success stories at Beatitude House are relative measures, said Mary Cohen, director of the education and career-preparation program.
"Sometimes the most remarkable [story] is the person who's gotten a driver's license so that she becomes independent and able to drive to work," she said. "They are anything from passing the GED [high school equivalency exam] to graduating from YSU."
In 2002, Beatitude House, a nonprofit organization to help disadvantaged women and children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, helped nine women pass the Ohio GED exam, 11 attend YSU and 22 attain full- or part-time employment.
"They are not only improving themselves, but breaking the cycle of poverty," Development Director Teresa Boyce said.
Received grant
Beatitude House recently announced the approval of a $76,320 grant from Achieving Potential in Ohio for continued support of its programs.
"Our budget is over $1 million," Boyce said. "This is less than 10 percent of our budget, but it's still a big help." Boyce said the grant will improve future fund-raising capabilities and provide income for a new employee, among other uses.
"We are developing the development office," she said. "It's unusual for us to fund something like that, but we realize how important fund raising is."
Inspired by "God Bless the Child," a 1988 film depicting an impoverished mother and daughter, Sister Margaret Scheetz established Beatitude House in 1991 in association with the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. Sister Sheetz has since died.
Services offered
Today the organization, based in Youngstown and Warren, provides a two-year transitional-housing program for homeless women and children. An education and career-preparation program also offers job placement, computer literacy, math tutoring, GED preparation and counseling services.
"I would say one thing: We always try to keep the program going," Cohen said. "City schools shut down in the summer, but we're a program that never shuts down."
Despite Beatitude House's efforts, however, homelessness continues to plague Youngstown, Boyce said.
"Women are hitting their three-year [welfare] limits," Boyce said. "We see a lot of people with nowhere to turn."
Donations to the organization can be made at Beatitude House Executive Offices, 287 Lora Ave., or by calling (330) 744-3147.
mbixenstine@vindy.com