By Michele Ristich Gatts

CANFIELD, Ohio – Construction of an assisted living facility at the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown Motherhouse in Canfield is almost complete.

The project, started in 2024, comprises the reconfiguration of existing spaces and the installation of a fire suppression system.

“We’re establishing 45 assisted living suites, including 11 for memory care,” says Brigid Kennedy, president and CEO of Ursuline Sisters Mission, the nonprofit that operates the order’s programs.

“Residents, who will include many of our 26 sisters, will enjoy a range of services, such as activities, meals and medication support. Further, they’ll have access to such amenities as USM’s education and wellness programs,” Kennedy says.

Ursuline Sisters Mission also operates Ursuline Sisters Independent Living for people ages 55 and older.

The Youngstown Ursulines marked their 150th anniversary of ministry last year. Since 1874, more than 200 women have dedicated their lives to service.

The Sisters’ median age is 81, notes Sister Mary McCormick, Ursuline Sisters general superior and USM board chair. Most are still in ministry, she says, with much of it volunteer service.

“Typically, women entered the Ursuline Sisters when they were 18. They earned a modest salary and contributed to the religious community,” Sister Mary says.

“The religious community, in turn, has taken care of the needs of the sisters, such as housing, food and medical care. We will continue to do this for the rest of our lives,” she says.

Despite sound financial stewardship, the sisters know their funds aren’t sufficient for this task. In response, last year they initiated the Fullness of Life, Future of Hope major gift campaign, which has so far raised $6 million of the $10 million goal.

Of that, $4 million will support care of the sisters, $3 million will support establishing Ursuline Sisters Assisted Living, and the remaining funds will further the sisters’ legacy by supporting USM’s programs.

Donors such as businessman Greg Greenwood and his wife, Alice, have been very generous to the sisters and USM.

“Their donating began with Beatitude House, working with families. From there they’ve embraced the larger scope of USM and expanded their donations to include the entire mission,” Sister Mary notes. “And as an added bonus, two of Alice’s great aunts were members of the community – Sisters Kathleen and Eileen Kelly.”

To aid in fundraising, Sister Patricia McNicholas, donor relations director, and the USM development team are soliciting naming opportunities for areas of the assisted living center.

In 2024, USM invested more than $350,000 to reconfigure its former preschool to create a centralized office, with funding provided by the Mahoning County Board of Commissioners through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Through programs including Beatitude House, an HIV/AIDS Ministry, Scholars, Immigrant Outreach and Children’s Programming, USM’s 90 employees directly serve 1,500 people in Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. The mission offers housing, food, health care, education, wellness and advocacy.