Our Story
Inspiration can take many forms and strike at any moment. For Ursuline Sister Margaret Scheetz, the inspiration to open Beatitude House came in the form of a film, God Bless the Child. This film, written by a Youngstown man, is the story of a mother and daughter caught in the cycle of poverty and homelessness in which, the mother must make the painful decision to give up her daughter, in order for her to lead a better life. Giving her daughter a chance at a life she felt she couldn't give her.
After seeing this film, Sr. Margaret was moved to take action in the community and help women and children break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.
With a firm belief that education is the best way out of poverty, Sr. Margaret established Beatitude House. Beatitude House is a nonprofit nondenominational corporation of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown that addresses the needs of all disadvantaged women and children.
Throughout the years, Beatitude House has benefited from the generosity of those in the community whether it is in time or talents. In 1990 an anonymous donor gave the Ursuline Sisters a Tudor home on the city's Northside. That building was transformed into an apartment complex for our Transitional Housing services providing shelter for women and children. The first families moved into the building in 1991 and soon two complexes were added to the program. Those complexes can house up to 12 families.
Since its inception in1988, Beatitude House has expanded to offer an English Language Learners Program and career preparation services at The Potters Wheel.
Sadly, in January 2001 Sister Margaret passed away, but her legacy lives on in her ministry, which continues to help the women and children of the Valley break the cycle of poverty and violence and build lives of stability and hope.
Mission Statement
Beatitude House, sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, is committed to all disadvantaged women and children. By creating homes, providing educational opportunities and fostering healthy families, we provide them with the opportunity to transform their lives.