Blessing House—God's project of hope
Blessing House, a nondenominational faith-based facility, provides short-term care and overnight accomodations for children when their parents are not able to do so. For example, a parent may need hospitalization and has no one who can look after the children. For parents in crisis, foster care is available, but many are reluctant to give up custody of their children. So they try to cope, but some—particularly single parents or grandparents raising grandchildren—can become overwhelmed by stresses of child care, work, and other responsibilities. At Blessing House, parents or guardians can call the house whenever they want, stop over for a visit, or come to share a meal.
Sister Mary Berigan, a Sister of Notre Dame, often hears from parents that they have been looking for a place like this for years. The idea for Blessing House grew from the work of Sister Mary and her friend Donna Humphrey who were court-appointed child advocates. They asked Jane Jonesco, an attorney, to join them in creating a safe place for children so that parents could deal with their emergencies. Blessing House was the first such house in the state of Ohio to be licensed for emergency and respite care. It is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
More than 450 children—including special-needs children—have been cared for in the first four years since Blessing House opened in 2005. Blessing House is for children from birth to 12 years old and can house approximately 10 children at a time. The house, located in Sheffield Township in Ohio (USA), has a nice-sized, fenced-in yard, with a playground and a patio. The renovation of the house, the furniture, and other household items were donated by churches, businesses and foundations. Blessing House is also supported by a state grant and other sources. Volunteers have also helped out with various activities for the children.
For the children that come there and for their parents, Blessing House is aptly named. It is truly a blessing and an answer to prayers.
For more information, visit www.blessinghouse.org, or e-mail info@blessinghouse.org.
