About two hours before the dedication and blessing of the new Blessing House, the skies cleared and the sun began to shine. Notre Dame Sister Mary Berigan, co-founder and executive director of Blessing House, beamed as she greeted staff, volunteers, members of the board of directors, vendors and other visitors.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” she asked. “The Lord is certainly blessing us today.”
The April 30 event took place on the last day of Child Abuse Prevention Month and marked a new chapter for Blessing House, a children’s crisis care center in Lorain County.
The new 16,730-square-foot facility, located behind St. Vincent de Paul Church in Elyria Township, is undergoing finishing touches and final inspections before occupancy later this month. It replaces the original Blessing House, which opened in 2005 in a nearby, rented, five-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home. The new, one-floor building with a large red heart over the main entrance sits on nearly 3 acres of land purchased from St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
The brief dedication ceremony began with singing “All are Welcome in This Space,” just like at the groundbreaking ceremony that took place in June 2020. Some of the words were tailored for the special event. There also was a special feature at the dedication: the “Homeless Jesus” sculpture created by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz. The piece was purchased by the Community West Foundation and spent the past few years on loan to various religious and nonprofit institutions. Sister Berigan thanked the foundation for allowing Blessing House to have it for the dedication.
After the brief dedication and blessing, faith leaders were invited to take a slip of paper with a blessing for specific rooms in the house, read the blessing at the room, sign the paper and post it on the door frame. Assisting with the blessing were Deacon Pat Berigan, Sister Berigan’s brother, and Deacon Pat Humphrey, husband of Blessing House co-founder Donna Humphrey.
Donna Humphrey thanked the hundreds of donors who helped make the new facility a reality. She said they have raised about $2.8 million of the $3.1 million campaign goal. “God is good. It wasn’t us, it was faith, hard work and collaboration in the midst of a pandemic that made this happen,” she said.
Sister Berigan said everyone took on various roles, according to their talents, to assist with the project. Another key figure in the project was Mary Herrick, president of the Blessing House Board of Directors, who agreed to extend her time on the board to ensure completion of the project. Sister Berigan thanked Herrick for guiding the capital campaign and raising enough money to build the type of structure that will provide a safe haven for children in need for many years.
“I was honored to be part of this project,” Herrick said. She credited the collaboration of countless people for the success of Blessing House. “The Lord provides,” she said, noting how their needs were always met. “Everything here was donated,” she said, gesturing to furniture, toys, appliances, bedding, food and office supplies.
Walls in the children’s sleeping rooms and play areas are decorated with brightly colored, original murals and paintings. Sister Berigan put out a call on social media seeking artists for the project and dozens responded. The sleeping rooms have themes like Noah’s Ark (for the youngest children), the Farm Room, Rainbow Room, Lake Room, Garden Bedroom, Dog Room, Jungle Room and Dinosaur Room. Each room can accommodate multiple children. Sister Berigan said they try to keep families together, if possible.
An Oasis Room, dedicated in honor of Herrick’s parents, provides a place for quiet time and reflection. An outdoor play area will be added soon.
One feature from the original Blessing House that will continue in the new space is a wall filled with painted handprints of every child who stays there. The handprints will be in the large indoor playroom.
There are numerous restroom facilities – some handicap accessible – throughout the facility. Three large play areas are available – one for younger children and another for the older ones that features a quiet, cozy, library-like corner with comfortable furniture and shelves filled with books. There also is a large indoor playroom with a rubberized floor so youngsters can run, jump, play and ride toys inside during inclement weather. A collection of American Girl dolls, a large dollhouse and accessories also were donated.
New washers and dryers are in the laundry area and there is plenty of storage for extra bedding and clothing. Each child will have a cubby with hooks for their jackets/coats and spaces for boots, shoes and other items.
There is a large, state-of-the art kitchen and a spacious dining area that Sister Berigan said could be used for meetings and support programs.
The new facility allows Blessing House to expand its capacity from 10 to 28 children, ages birth to 12. However, Sister Berigan said they plan to cap the number at about 20 for the near future. The new structure was built to meet the needs of the growing number of families who are dealing with economic, social, medical and legal issues, Donna Humphrey said. Families bring their children to Blessing House voluntarily to keep them safe and to get help to address their problems. Parents maintain custody of their children while at Blessing House; there is no cost for the services they receive.
“Blessing House is God’s Project of Hope. All who have contributed to the success of this project are an example of a true servant spirit sacrificing for other and putting God’s priorities ahead of one’s own,” Herrick said. “We thank you today, but every child who walks through these doors will be thanking you forever.”