March Special Offering: Blessing House
In the quiet of the winter, a new safe space for children is under construction.
For the past 16 years, Blessing House has served Lorain County children in need of a place of safety and compassion. More than 1,500 children have left their handprint on the walls of our house during a stay with us. Over the years, we recognized the imperative to address our available space. This winter, a larger and more-efficient space is being prepared. Soon, its doors will fling open wide to receive our young guests.
In 2005, Blessing House began providing safe shelter and care for children who could not safely remain at home. The children (2 days old-age 12), have been cared for by our staff with dignity and love. We came to acknowledge that we needed space for more children and that we needed space to meet the unique needs that the children presented.
Over the winter, work has continued on a 16,000 square-foot building on Olivet Avenue, in Elyria Township, behind St. Vincent de Paul Church. The new building, which triples the size of our current space, will enable us to increase our capacity from 10 children to 28 children at any given time.
In addition to more space, the building also provides better space. It is all on one level, thus allowing us to provide care for children who rely on the use of a wheelchair. Special bath accommodations have also been included for these children. A new, indoor playroom provides plenty of room for our children to run and play when weather keeps us indoors. Two activity areas are designated to address the different age groups. The activity area for our birth-age 5 population will be ready to witness the first steps of a child, and prepare them with preschool activities to be ready for school. Our second activity space—for our school- age children—will be outfitted with school supports and activities for our 6-12-year-olds.
Thank you for your past support of our ministry. We look forward to inviting you to join us this spring as we bless our new building and to take a tour on our open house day. As we prepare this new home, we ask for your continued prayers for a smooth finish to the building and blessing on our staff as we make ready to welcome the children at Blessing House.
Sr. Mary Berigan
Executive Director, Blessing House