Beatitude House takes on program

youngstown

The Ursuline Sisters Scholars, formerly Sister Jerome’s Mission College Program, is now a program of Beatitude House. The goal of the program is to break the cycle of poverty through education.

College students from low-income families in Youngstown and nearby communities make it through to graduation by being paired with knowledgeable mentors who guide them through the higher-education system. The program also provides financial assistance for school-related expenses.

The program works because it helps capable, motivated students overcome everyday challenges that could derail their college careers – challenges that students from middle-class families rarely encounter.

“Most students earn only minimum wage working part-time jobs, so the immediate financial rewards of working longer hours is an ongoing temptation, even if that would mean missing class and getting poor grades,” said Maraline Kubik, Ursuline Sisters Scholars director.

Assistance provided addresses student’s basic needs for food, clothing and transportation.

Senior Development Officer, Sister Patricia McNicholas, said, “Our goal in all of our work is to empower low-income individuals to overcome the obstacles in their lives. Beatitude House Scholars will focus specifically on those obstacles that block success in post-secondary education.”