Category: News & Media

YOUNGSTOWN — Beatitude House has received $140,500 in grant funding to support its efforts in helping fight addiction by delivering needed recovery support services, Brigid Kennedy, CEO, announced today.

The grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation will go toward providing a peer support specialist and other support, Kennedy said.

“Substance abuse is a major cause of homelessness,” said Whitney Washington, Beatitude House director. “This grant will allow us to add a peer support staff member with lived experience to work specifically with residents experiencing active substance abuse or are in recovery, allowing them to break free from the cycle of addiction.”

The grant is part of an inaugural round of approximately $51 million in funding made available by the Foundation as part of its mission to combat the opioid epidemic by supporting prevention, treatment and recovery programs and services in our communities. The grant money was funded by 55% of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic.

The grant received by Beatitude House reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting organizations on the frontlines of the addiction epidemic by advancing efforts that foster more resilient, healthier communities across Ohio.

Across Ohio, organizations like Beatitude House are working day in and day out to strengthen their communities that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic, said Alisha Nelson, executive director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.

“We’re pleased to partner with Beatitude House to support their efforts to save lives, rebuild families affected by addiction, and foster strong and resilient places to live,” Nelson said.

The recipients announced as part of the foundation’s first grant cycle were chosen after a robust review process that included evaluation by the local OneOhio Regional Board, the OneOhio Expert Panel and the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Grant recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the opioid crisis. The funded initiatives are evidenced-based and align with Ohio’s approved abatement strategies, including prevention, recovery supports, services for impacted families and children, and many more.

A complete list of recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards.

OneOhio Recovery Foundation had an overwhelming response to the 2024 Regional Grant application process, with more than a half-billion dollars in funding requests submitted for the $51 million available this cycle. Organizations and leaders seeking to submit applications in the future can sign up on the foundation’s website here to receive updates.

About Beatitude House

Beatitude House has provided housing in the Mahoning Valley for over 30 years. While this program has always focused on the individual needs of each client, our program has evolved and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of homeless families.

Beatitude House Permanent Supportive Housing currently provides 50 units of safe and secure housing for homeless individuals and families in Mahoning County. This program uses evidenced-based, innovative, outcome-driven interventions designed to assist our residents in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing in the community.

We employ a multi-level approach that addresses the economic, social and emotional barriers that have limited our residents’ ability to gain stability in their lives. Program services include case management, education assistance, employment assistance, financial literacy, mental health counseling, parenting programs and more.

By creating homes, providing educational opportunities and fostering healthy families, we provide them with the opportunity to transform their lives.

In 2016, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown created Ursuline Sisters Mission to oversee the various ministries started by the Sisters, including Beatitude House. Ursuline Sisters Mission is gospel service poured out into the world by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown and their ministries.

About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, and other state and local leaders, with the mission of advancing Ohio’s addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future.

The Foundation is governed by a 29-member board from across Ohio and is funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Funds support local efforts to prevent and combat addiction and are also invested to support those efforts for the long term.

Nearly a decade ago, Kevin Talley graduated from the Ursuline Sisters Mission Scholars Program.

We connected with him recently to discuss the program’s impact on his life.

Kevin resides in Pittsburgh with his family, where he owns two businesses and is a recruiter for UPMC.

He began his relationship with the Ursuline Sisters under a program with Sister Jerome Corcoran. When he was a social work student at Youngstown State University, he took Sister Nancy Dawson for World Religions and learned about our Scholars Program.

The demands of school and working full time were difficult, in addition to having experienced homelessness and other challenges. He wasn’t sure he was the best candidate for the Scholars program, but Sister Nancy (left, with Sister Jerome) encouraged him to take a chance.

“I entered the program with a 1.3 GPA but graduated with a 3.3 GPA,” he says.  As a first-generation student, “the program benefited my life, made my life easier.” It allowed him to work less and focus more on being a student.

He has advice for other non-traditional students juggling a full plate: “Hang around people who are like-minded, who get A’s and B’s. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Have fun but also keep an eye on your degree.”

One day, Kevin said, he’d like to be able to donate to the program himself to honor the memory of Sister Jerome, who “saw young people with bright futures and a love for learning very early on.”

A retired adjunct instructor of World Religions studies at Youngstown State University and former General Superior for the Ursuline Sisters’ community, Sister Nancy Dawson misters as a chaplain at Youngstown’s Ohio State Maximum Security Penitentiary.

Sister Nancy shares gospel readings for each Sunday of the year in her weekly classes at the prison. Inmates discuss how the readings relate to their personal journeys while being incarcerated.

One individual writes, “It does not take all that much to have all you need in this life. Prison has shown me how much money and time is wasted on acquiring an excess of what we really need.”

Another reflects, “I get excited when I hear that I am a part of God’s plan for the world. It’s nice knowing I have purpose.”

Several members of the Ursuline Sisters Mission staff and Ursuline Sisters Associates are letter writers with the ministry, and Ursuline Associate Gerry Mansour assists Sister Nancy with the organizational work.

The prison ministry reminds us that all lives are valuable and that the spirit can flourish everywhere. 

As Jesus said in Matthew 25: “For I was in prison and you visited me…I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me!”

Artwork at right created by an incarcerated man for Sister Nancy.

The 28th Annual Window World Golf Tournament benefiting Ursuline Sisters Mission and Beatitude House is Mon., July 15 at the beautiful Lake Club in Poland – and you can be part of it!

The event features an 18-hole course, lunch, a buffet dinner and fabulous prizes. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. Golfing and sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Teresa Boyce at 330-744-3147 x. 100 or email [email protected], or Sheila Donnadio at 330-793-0434 x. 358 or email [email protected].

The popular event began nearly three decades ago when Joe Vivacqua and his wife, Linda, gathered friends at a local golf course with the goal of raising money to help Beatitude House.

Ursuline Sister of Youngstown Margaret Scheetz founded Beatitude House on Youngstown’s north side in 1991. Her objective was to help families stay intact and thrive by assisting homeless women and their children with housing and earning an education.

“I was very impressed with the Beatitude House mission and how it was positively impacting women and children in our local community,” Vivacqua said.

Linda’s father and brother, Fred and Pat Moran, owners of Window World, quickly became involved in the fundraiser.

“Their leadership has made it into one of the most successful golf outings in northeast Ohio. It makes us feel proud to see how many families were helped and how the mission has grown over the years,” Vivacqua said.

Pat Moran, in turn, credits his brother-in-law for founding the fundraiser.

“I give my brother-in-law, Joe Vivacqua, all the credit for starting this and having the vision to support this great charity that helps our community in many ways,” he said. “I thank all of our supporters for all they give to make this such a successful fundraiser. God willing, we will have continued success over many more years.”

Keshia Bales, USM chief program officer, began working at Beatitude House nearly 15 years ago. During that time, she’s witnessed the considerable good the golf outing has achieved.

Last year alone, funds raised from the event helped USM purchase a vehicle for its Children’s Program, allowing kids to be safely transported to and from tutoring and enrichment services.

“As a result, we’ve seen great improvement in their learning and socialization, and it’s allowed them to foster positive relationships with peers,” Bales said. “This is just one example of the lasting impact the proceeds from this amazing event have had on the members of the community we are serving.”

Today Beatitude House helps individuals as well as families. Clients are offered a fully furnished apartment and supportive services, which include educational and enrichment opportunities for adults and children.

As Christians prepare to celebrate the Easter Mysteries, we at Ursuline Sisters Mission are guided by our belief in the Resurrection, in New Life, as we work toward seeking “Fullness of Life” for all.

As we observe the death of Jesus on Good Friday, we know that is not the end. There are far too many individuals and families in our community who are burdened by hopelessness and what may seem like no way out of poverty. This does not have to be the end of their story.

Our work is more than just providing basic needs such as housing and food. Through our family programs, tutoring, mentoring, and simply being a compassionate presence, we work in partnership to build new lives, to restore hope. This is equity in action. This is the work that seeks what is right and just, allowing all people to become who God created them to be. It is with your prayers and support that we can continue this ministry.

Together we tell the story of Resurrection, of New Life, over and over again through the lives of our neighbors and friends. For that, and so much more, we are eternally grateful.

From our archives, by Sister Therese Ann Rich

Blessings as we begin the great season of Lent!

Ash Wednesday starts preparations to celebrate the high point of our faith — The Paschal Mystery, the suffering, death and resurrection of the Incarnate God.

Formerly it was a time of severe penance. We purified ourselves from sinful habits before celebrating the Paschal Mystery and renewing our commitment to following Jesus.

But our reflections shouldn’t only focus on the negative. Over the next six weeks, we should ask:

• What positive things should be part of my daily life?
• How do I behave toward family, friends, colleagues and others I meet?
• How active am I as a member of the Christian community, my parish?
• What difference do I make in the world, within my limitations?

Remember that real penance is to live life well. Be the mercy and peace of God toward others.

Just over a year ago, Ursuline Sisters Mission formed an Equity Team. Our primary goal was developing an understanding of equity that supports USM mission, vision, and values.

One of our key principles is that equity ensures every person has what they need to be successful. Sometimes it looks like providing someone with the resources they both need and have a right to. Sometimes it looks like removing barriers so that they can better use their own resources to enjoy Fullness of Life.

Our team created a training session so that every staff member had the opportunity to be part of this conversation, to ground their work in our collective understanding of equity.

Now, as Lent begins, we can use this season as an opportunity to reflect even deeper on our work to build equitable communities where individuals and families thrive.

During this season of conversion, we’re called to examine our attitudes and practices. How does what we say and do build up the Kingdom of God, how does what we say and do build up God’s people? How does our work reflect Gospel service in a world longing for justice, hope and peace?

For the entire USM family, may this Lent be a time of transformation so that we can all be what God created us to be.