Beatitude House has received a grant of $41,200 from the William Swanston Charitable Fund to support the child advocacy program.

The child advocacy program is designed to respond to the special needs of the children of the women in the program.  Through this grant Beatitude House will provide the children with enrichment activities including participation in the children’s choir and piano lessons.  The grant will also pay for school clothing and the Child Advocate.

The Child Advocate meets with the women on a regular basis to provide any needed services regarding their children.  She works to make sure the children are assessed to determine services needed-such as counseling, tutoring, and school intervention. She will serve as a link to connect the family with other legal issues regarding children.  The Child Advocate also provides a parenting program that the women are required to attend.

Beatitude House social enterprise venture team continues to develop their business plan for a green cleaning service.  Helen Paes, Beatitude House board member was recently welcomed to the team. 

"The addition of Helen to our team has been wonderful," said Kelly Elko, Venture Champion.  Helen brought her marketing skills and business savvy to the team.  She has helped them to think with a "for-profit" mindset.  "Being we are a social service agency, it has really helped to have Helen open our eyes to the for-profit world," said Kelly.

The business will be known as Beatitude House Green Clean. Beatitude House is expected to launch the business in September 2009.

Beatitude House received a $2,500 grant from The Senator Maurice and Florence Lipscher Charitable Trust to support The Potter’s Wheel, their education and career preparation program.

The Potter’s Wheel, located on the west side of Youngstown provides participants with the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to find employment or continue post secondary education. The Potter’s Wheel director, Kelly Elko commented “We are always looking for more women to take advantage of the services we offer free of charge.”  Anyone interested in learning more about the program can contact Kelly at 330-792-3644.

Last year 117 women participated in The Potter’s Wheel program. The Potter’s Wheel offers GED classes, computer literacy courses, and career counseling.  The women participating continue to overcome obstacles and are breaking the cycle of poverty.

Sponsorships have begun to come in for the Wine Taste & Auction to be held May 1st at The Embassy. Platinum sponors include: The Frank & Pearl Gelbman Foundation, Muransky Companies, and Clear Channel Radio.

Gold sponsors include: Humility of Mary Health Partners, Liberty Steel and Lamar Advertising Company.

Silver sponsors include: Turning Technologies and York Mahoning Mechanical.

Bronze level sponsors include: FNB of Pennsylvania and Prodigal Media. 

The committee continues to seek sponsorships.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Beatitude House at 330-744-3147.

The Wine Taste & Auction Committee seeks items for their live, silent and Chinese auctions to be held May 1st.  If you would like to donate an item you can call them at 330-744-3147 or download the Auction Item Form and deliver the item to the administrative offices on Tod Lane in Youngstown.

AUCTION_DONATION_FORM_2009.pdf (18.54 kb)

Formed to support SteelHounds players and promote the team, the SteelHounds Booster Club found themselves with various household items after the team disband.  The club had ten apartments they set up for players to reside in.   The club decided they wanted to help the less fortunate in our community and selected Beatitude House as a recipient.

 

“The items donated are essential items that will be used in the apartments of the homeless families we serve,” explained Development Director, Teresa Boyce. “It always seems we are blessed with a donation at the exact time the need arises.”  Included in the donation were vacuums, microwaves, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, bedding, pillows and miscellaneous household items.  

A big THANK YOU to the Steelhounds Booster Club for thinking of Beatitude House.

Plans continue for our upcoming Wine Taste and Auction.  We are excited to announce we have hired Basinger Auction Services  to host our live auction.  The committee recently received a donation of 2 roundtrip tickets from Youngstown, OH to Orlando, FL compliments of Allegiant Air. 

Excitement is growing as we look to make this our best auction yet!