Christopher Dacanay HOME SWEET HOME — Aim Women’s Center Executive Director Rebekah Cohen Morris stood outside the center’s Mother of Mercy home, which is anticipated to begin serving local mothers near the end of May.
STEUBENVILLE — The Aim Women’s Center recently announced a significant milestone in its initiative to support mothers in the community: the establishment of its new maternity home, the Mother of Mercy. This project began as a goal set during the center’s 2024 gala, aimed at providing essential housing for mothers in need.
Shortly after the goal was set, an existing church and parsonage were offered for the initiative. Although the offer sparked consideration, it was a stunning gift of a pristine multi-bedroom home in Steubenville that truly set the project in motion. Valued at approximately $300,000, this home was generously donated by its owner, who recognized the need within the community.
To facilitate the acquisition, Aim Women’s Center reached out for community support to gather the needed $80,000 down payment. An anonymous donor not only responded but also made a remarkable $40,000 matching gift within an hour of the request. Soon after, a second donor stepped forward with a gift of $150,000. “Oh, this house is going to happen,” recalled Cohen Morris, reflecting on the overwhelming support from the community.
With the home slated to open at the end of May, preparations include over $70,000 in renovations and the effort of numerous volunteers to keep the home clean and welcoming.
As Executive Director since October 2023, Cohen Morris has been focused on revamping the pregnancy resource center’s offerings on North Fifth Street in Steubenville. Recognizing a vital community need, she proposed the maternity home concept to help mothers struggling with homelessness, domestic violence, and limited shelter options as well as those contemplating abortion due to dire circumstances.
“I put it in our master plan,” she said, outlining her vision for the center’s future. “I thought this is something we could work towards, but never would I have imagined that, within a year, we would be getting ready to move into the house.”
The Mother of Mercy home, originally built in 1904, boasts features such as a wraparound porch and five bedrooms and bathrooms, all while retaining its historical charm. Expectations for the space include providing a haven for women to find peace and security as they navigate their circumstances.
The program intends to be more than just emergency shelter, focusing on a comprehensive residential counseling model. It aims to assist women not only during pregnancy but until their child turns one. Each participant will be paired with a case manager to create personalized goals addressing stable housing, transportation, employment, and essential life skills.
The program will accept women who are at least 18 years old and currently homeless or escaping unstable situations. Eligibility criteria include a commitment to maintaining boundaries, such as curfews, and a requirement for sober living prior to entering the program. Psychological evaluations and background checks ensure that each resident is suitable for the nurturing environment Aim seeks to cultivate.
Initial capacity will allow four women to reside in the home, alongside one staff member. As the program develops, future plans may include accommodating additional children, though initially, the focus will remain on mothers and their infants.
Constant support from staff will be available, with on-site team members present 24/7. Cohen Morris emphasized the essential role of community volunteers, who will assist with transportation to medical appointments and counseling, provide landscaping for the home, and foster mentorship relationships with the residents.
The Aim Women’s Center is also seeking community contributions to assist with the home’s monthly mortgage of $2,024, highlighting the importance of these funds for future service expansion. “It would be amazing if donors and community partners can help us pay that off sooner,” Cohen Morris stated.
In the coming weeks, the center anticipates beginning the application process for potential residents, a timeline that has unexpectedly accelerated from initial forecasts. While Aim’s past goals, such as offering progesterone treatment (“abortion pill reversal”), were met successfully, other aspirations, like becoming a local child placement agency, are on a more extended timeline.
Reflecting on the journey thus far, Cohen Morris remarked, “Sometimes God has different plans… it’s just been so great to see the community pour out generosity and support.”
Today, the Aim Women’s Center embarks on this new chapter, driven by a collective community spirit and a commitment to serving mothers as they navigate critical transitions in their lives.
