Dear Friend,
Blessing House opened in Lorain County to care for children ranging in age from birth to 12 years old when their families were facing an emergency and needed someplace safe for them to go. Families come to us for many different reasons. Some have been homeless or had their utilities shut off. Some have had illnesses or hospitalizations in their family and had no one to watch their children. Some have been dealing with substance abuse or domestic violence problems. Some were just experiencing a high level of stress and came to us because they had reached their limits. Many were isolated and had very little, if any, reliable support. Almost all struggled with the ongoing problems of poverty.
We take care of their children because parents have no other safe place for them to go. We provide a safe place for the children to stay and we work with the families, giving them information and encouragement so that they can resolve their crisis. Many of the children have been with us more than once because we have become a part of their family’s support system and they trust us. They know that we really want to help them.
As stewards of God’s Project of Hope, we have received assistance from many in our community. We receive our funding from a combination of public and private sources, including foundations, businesses, organizations and individuals. We have also developed a network of Blessing House friends that provide a steady stream of blankets, toys, books, clothing, formula, diapers, food, and household supplies for us to use or to pass on to our families.
But now, more than ever, we see the need for everyone to work together to help the many families who are struggling. So many need so much, and with all of our resources being stretched to the limit, we need to work together in faith, trusting that God will give us what we need to care for the children He loves so much.
We have attached a survey (click here) that we are inviting you to fill out and return to us about your agency, organization, congregation or parish. In this survey, we are asking that you share with us information about the programs and services you provide that might be of assistance to the families that we work with. We ask that you include information regarding such programs as food pantries, counseling programs, support groups, family mentoring, child care, or job training. We are hoping to compile information that will allow us to refer our families to these programs when they come to us and need help.
We also want to invite you to come to Blessing House, take a tour, and hear some of our stories. We want to find out how we can help your families and give you information to take back to your community or organization. We are also very willing to come and speak to tell you more about what we do and how we can help each other. I have been fortunate to meet with many groups and individuals since we opened, and I am always humbled by the generous spirit of those who want to help our Blessing House families.
The following is from a song by Sarah Groves called “It Might be Hope:”
Hope has a way of turning it's face to you
just when you least expect it.
You walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless.
You say to yourself
it's been a while since I felt this.
But it feels like it might be hope.
Working together, there is much we can do to bring hope to the many who desperately need it right now. I encourage you to call us or come and visit us at Blessing House. I look forward to working with you as we continue to follow God’s call to care for His children.
God bless,
Sr. Mary Berigan
Director, Blessing House