YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Beatitude House, a ministry of Ursuline Sisters Mission, recently celebrated 35 years of providing housing opportunities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Mahoning Valley.
The anniversary celebration featured an awards ceremony honoring residents, an archives display and an afternoon of food, fellowship and activities shared among residents, staff, supporters and friends of the organization.
Community leaders joined in recognizing the impact of Beatitude House and its continued commitment to serving local families.
“Housing plays much more of a role in the health of individuals, families and communities than we give it credit for,” Mayor Derrick McDowell said. “Oftentimes, we can speak about mental health and healthcare access, but we don’t speak about what housing does for the health of an individual – bringing down anxiety and providing stability.”
Founded in 1991, Beatitude House began with a dream to provide safe, supportive housing for women and children experiencing homelessness while offering the resources and educational opportunities needed to build stable, independent futures. That vision was inspired by Sister Margaret “Peggy” Scheetz, who believed that every person deserved the opportunity to dream of a new future.
“The real power of the dream was Peggy’s ability to help the women she served begin to believe that they, too, could dream and believe in a new future,” said Sister Patricia McNicholas, former Beatitude House director and current donor relations director for Ursuline Sisters Mission.
What began as one home serving four families has grown into a ministry that has supported thousands of women, men and children throughout the years.
“I am honored to continue the work she started 35 years ago,” said Whitney Washington, current Beatitude House director. “Countless lives have been affected and changed by what touched her heart 35 years ago. I never had the pleasure of meeting Sister Margaret Scheetz, but her spirit lives on within the Beatitude House program.”
Today, Beatitude House operates nearly 40 permanent supportive housing units throughout Mahoning County, along with a three-bedroom emergency shelter. Residents receive trauma-informed case management, housing support and connections to educational and enrichment opportunities for both adults and children.
For more information, visit the Ursuline Sisters Mission website.
Pictured at top: From left are Keshia Bales, Ursuline Sisters Mission chief program officer; Whitney Washington, Beatitude House director; Mayor Derrick McDowell; Sister Patricia McNicholas, Ursuline Sisters Mission donor relations director and former Beatitude House director; and Mark Masternick, nephew of John and Dorothy Masternick, who donated the original home that became the primary facility of the ministry. The house at 1515 Fifth Ave. is named the John & Dorothy Masternick House in recognition of their support.