“We are a pro-life Church and we need to do more,” said Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost as he blessed the second Zelie’s Home location, a place that walks with mothers in need to help both before and after their children are born.
The new Lakewood site, located in a former convent, will be ready to accept its first residents later this month, according to Erin Hathaway, executive director. It is on a bus line and close to shopping, a park, library and other amenities.
“We are a community where women thrive as they embrace motherhood,” she added.
According to its mission statement, Zelie’s Home “is a caring community that empowers pregnant and parenting women to take positive and effective action on behalf of themselves and their children by providing physical, emotional, spiritual and professional support.”
The building was closed when the sisters left the parish several years ago. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland did some renovation and used it as a substance abuse treatment facility for women until the coronavirus pandemic hit.
The 10 bedrooms on the second floor are freshly painted with soft, welcoming colors and furnished with a twin bed, small dresser and coordinating curtains and bedding. Depending on the mother’s needs, a portable crib and other baby supplies will be available. There is a room for staff members who might spend the night and an office where the mothers can check email and tend to other business matters.
The first floor houses staff offices, a chapel, large dining room, large living room and kitchen,
In the basement, a large common room is available for use by residents or Zelie’s Home alumnae. There also is a laundry room with several washers and dryers, a donation room for baby and children’s items and another for the moms.
“This is a ministry of life and love that has touched the lives of more than 200 mothers and their children,” Bishop Woost said during the blessing. “Today we pray for all who will dwell, work and support this ministry here.”
Hathaway said each Zelie’s Home deserves a name. The first one, which opened in 2016 in a former convent in Garfield Heights, is known as Therese’s Nest after St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower. She is the daughter of St. Zelie and St. Louis Martin. Zelie’s Home is named after St. Zelie, the mother of nine who had a great love of children. The new Lakewood home is called Celine’s Nest.
Sister Kate Hine, SND is house manager for Therese’s Nest and Kate Hoyer fills that role for Celine’s Nest.
Hathaway said Zelie’s Home has a partnership with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland and other local agencies. Humble Design worked with the staff to transform rooms throughout the house into colorful, pleasing spaces. The firm works with people coming out of homelessness to help make their new homes inviting spaces.
They also worked with Negative Space Gallery to provide art on some of the walls and plan to offer classes and a concert series.
Zelie’s Home also works with Americorps to provide personnel who can assist the residents with their needs.
At Zelie’s Home, Hathaway said all people are valued as children of God and treated with love and respect. The facilities foster a caring and loving environment where each mother receives guidance and tools for making good choices for themselves and their children. They can attend classes, learn job skills. The mothers are encouraged to set goals for themselves and staff will work with them to help them prepare for getting their own housing and a job.
The mothers may form friendships and some stay in touch after establishing their own housing. There are alumnae events so they can interact with the current residents. Hathaway said they encourage the moms and alumnae to come together in supportive ways for each other. They also utilize and share resources with other community organizations in support of their common goals.
“We desire that each mom leave our program with a strong sense of resiliency and empowerment,” Hathaway added.
Zelie’s Home began as Zechariah House in 2009 in Parma. Originally, it was part of the Maggie’s Place family, which is based in Arizona. In 2016, Zechariah House closed for anticipated renovation. However, the decision was made in 2018 to move to a larger facility in Garfield Heights.
In the spring of 2020, the Zechariah House board of directors decided to establish a home independent of Maggie’s Place so they created Zelie’s Home that can respond to the unique needs of mothers and babies in Greater Cleveland.
More information about Zelie’s Home can be found here.
Learn more about a $100,000 matching challenge grant available throughout June for pledges to the 2023 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. A second in-pew appeal this weekend will benefit services that care for women and children, including Zelie's Hone.