Beatitude House is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its' Development Team - Development Associate, Casey Bertolette. She is a graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, earning her BA in Public Relations and Journalism.

Prior to joining Beatitude House, Bertolette interned with the Erie Zoo in the Marketing and Community Relations department.

Beatitude House announced a partnership with Target in recognition of its efforts toward ending homelessness and reducing violence. They have been awarded a $1,000 grant to support the children of Beatitude House. These funds will increase the chances that the children will break the cycle of violence and poverty forever.

At any given time there are over 100 women and children residing at a Beatitude House facility, nearly 70% of whom are children. This grant will help provide enrichment activities, couseling and child advocacy.

Anticipation is growing as the staff and residents at A House of Blessing in Warren are watching the final weeks of the expansion project take place. When complete an additional 6 homeless families will call Beatitude House home.

Join us September 25 from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm for an Open House. A dedication ceremony will take place at 2:30 pm with refreshments to follow. Also Beatitude House children's choir is scheduled to perform.

Children served by Beatitude House programs are ready to go back to school thanks in part to generous donors from the community that provided a variety of school supplies and Huntington National Bank,who provided backpacks

The children "shopped" in a mock store filled with folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors, etc. They were all smiles as they picked out the perfect supplies to help them succeed at school.

A special thank-you to all who helped us stock our "shelves" and provide students with much needed school supplies.

The disadvantaged school age children served by Beatitude House programs will return to school this fall with new backpacks and school supplies courtesy of Huntington National Bank.  The bank gave away a total of 1,100 backpacks to agencies in six counties in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

Frank Hierro, president of Huntington Bank's Mahoning Valley Region explained the bank estimates over the past three years the cost of filling backpacks and paying for school activities has increased 34 percent.  

Thank you to Mr. Hierro and Huntington National Bank for helping the children of Beatitude House. 

Beatitude House Green Clean was chosen to be part of CreateA Thon 2009.  This national event was created to provide nonprofit organizations with free marketing and publicity materials.  Locally, Ace in the Hole Marketing has exclusive rights the event. The event is scheduled to take place September 17 and 18.

Scott Fullerton, CEO of Ace in the Hole Marketing explained that CreataA Thon is a 24-hour, creative blitz in which his company will generate advertising services for local nonprofits.  Beatitude House Green Clean is excited for the opportunity to participate in the event and is looking forward working with Ace in the Hole Marketing.

The week began with excitement for some children at Beatitude House as they boarded a Y.M.C.A. bus and headed to Camp Fitch on the shores of Lake Erie, PA.  The children ages 8-16 will spend a week in the traditional Camp Fitch program, which provides them with an opportunity to learn progressive skills in a variety of areas. 

Among the activities at camp are a swimmings, an archery range, rifle and BB ranges, paint ball, horseback riding, 40 foot climbing tower, craft center, kayaking, paddle boats, nature center and play fields and more.  Thanks to grants from the Swanston Foundation and United Way the children were given the chance to enjoy the summer at camp!

Below are some campers getting ready to head to camp. 

The homeless and low income children served by Beatitude House are preparing for the upcoming school year.   To help the children a mock store is being set up at Beatitude House administrative office, where they can "shop" for needed items.

You can help by dropping off items to our administrative office on or before Monday August 10 at 238 Tod Lane on the grounds of St. Edward Parish in Youngstown.  Items needed include new or gently used school uniforms (blue or tan pants/shorts, and white, red or light blue polo shirts), shoes, new socks and new underwear, gift certificates to local stores to purchse uniforms and backpacks.  We have chldren in preschool through higs school so any size clothes will be greatly appreciated.

Help the children of Beatitude House start the new school year right!