Zelie’s Home, a nonprofit facility that offers support to unhoused women and families, operates two facilities in the diocese. One is in Lakewood, the other in Garfield Heights.
Although he was familiar with the mission of Zelie’s Home, Bishop Edward Malesic had not been able to visit the facility until recently, when he spent time at the Lakewood site, which is marking its third anniversary. Erin Hathaway, executive director, and Melanie Whiting, co-vice chair of the board of directors, guided the bishop and Tony Dipre, director of the diocesan Office for Human Life, on a tour.
They met staff members and viewed the facility, which once served as a parish convent, and now is at capacity as a bustling home for eight mothers, five toddlers, five babies and three pregnant women. One infant was just a few weeks old.
(See photo gallery above.)
The bishop told Hathaway he was impressed with the work being done at Zelie’s Home.
“This gives women the opportunity to see how to develop a good, healthy family life,” he said.
Hathaway said many of the women who come to Zelie’s Home learn how to build a healthy family life as well as gaining other skills that set them up for success and independence. They participate in a financial literacy program and learn skills to help them obtain employment. They also support the women as they seek housing and offer an ongoing alumnae program.
Although many of the women dislike some of the structured programs such as financial literacy, “But when they leave here, they admit it’s what they learned the most from,” Hathaway said. Zelie’s Home works with a local bank and work force development programs to assist residents. “There is a lot of hands-on teaching,” she added.
Some of the women never learned how to properly clean a house or even wash dishes, Hathaway said. She noted many also have mental health needs, so they have a social worker on staff to help.
Hathaway said Zelie’s Home has a strong track record of success and they maintain a relationship with many of the residents after they leave and set up their own households.
“Once a Zelie’s mom, always a Zelie’s mom,” she said.
This is a great program,” the bishop said.
“We’re proud of what we do,” Hathaway said. One success story she shared was an alumna mother who finished her nursing degree and came back to work as a case manager.
The bishop mentioned the opportunities for service at Zelie’s Home, encouraging people to visit, volunteer and support its mission.
Hathaway said there is an ongoing need for facilities like Zelie’s Home. In fact, she said they are hoping to be able to add a third location.
“We appreciate any support – prayerful, financial and volunteer,” she added.
Click here to learn more about Zelie’s Home.
