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Jesus often visited the
house of Mary, her sister Martha and brother, Lazarus, in the village of
Bethany. He went there for respite and the nourishment of his friends’
love before returning to his ministry work. Thus, the Sisters of
St. Joseph “Bethany House Ministry” drew its name and mission.
Bethany House Ministry is
a non-profit outreach of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Its mission is to
provide low-rent housing for women and children to aid them in their
struggle to move beyond the welfare system. The emphasis is on restoring
dignity and strengthening the family. Bethany House offers safe,
affordable housing and support services to ensure that the women who live
there have every opportunity to reach their goals and remain
self-sufficient.
That first Bethany House, located on
West 28th
Street
in Erie, is a two-unit home with one-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments.
In August, 2000 a second Bethany House opened when Josephine Foran, a
friend of the Sisters donated her home to the Congregation. Located on
West 8th Street
in Erie, this one-family home has three bedrooms, a backyard, two living
rooms, a sun porch, a dining room and a kitchen.
The first Bethany House
became the prototype that led to the 1995 establishment of
Erie DAWN
(Dwellings and Advocacy for Women in Need), a collaborative ministry
between the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Mercy and the
Benedictine Sisters. Rooted in the belief that all people have the right
to live in a setting that safeguards human dignity,
Erie DAWN, in
partnership with area landlords and realtors provides safe, affordable,
independent, transitional housing for low-income women and children.
Advocacy, mentoring and support services (funded through a HUD grant) are provided
to help these women become productive members of the
community. The women are closely monitored through monthly financial
budgeting and through DAWN’s case managers and mentor program.
Erie DAWN
has worked with over 23 landlords since 1995, including Sister Marilyn
Zimmerman, as manager of Bethany House.
In turn for low rent
housing, Erie DAWN requires a tenant to make a contract for a specific
time period, typically two years. During that time, a mentor is assigned
to assist her in seeking employment and budgeting her time and money.
Some women have had the opportunity to stay at Bethany House longer than
two years -- the longest was for three-and-a-half years. One former
Bethany House resident now owns a home of her own.
Funds to administer the
Bethany House Ministry come from grants, donations, and tenant rent.
Bethany House tenants typically pay $200-250 per month for rent -- about
half the fair market value. The Sisters pay for the insurance on the
homes.
“The Sisters of St. Joseph have provided housing for families that had
lost their means to get safe housing. Without a home, children cannot
grow and develop,” said Phyllis Hilbert, SSJ. “This housing has truly
been God’s hands and given the family at least two years to begin again.
We hope by this ministry to help stop the cycle of abuse and violence. It
is a small but significant effort.”
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