Blessing House expansion to modernize approach

A state of the art design with expanded capacity will enable an advocacy organization to nearly triple their capacity.

Founded in 2005 by Sister Mary Berigan and Donna Humphrey, Blessing House provides temporary housing for at-risk youth in Lorain County and support for their families.

Blessing House, 6155 Olivet St. in Elyria Township, supports children from birth to age 12 as a crisis care center.

Currently able to provide care for 10 children at a time, Blessing House is nearing completion of its new 16,730-square-foot building backed by a $3.3 million capital campaign that will enable 28 children to receive care.

It will have a modern design concept aimed at putting the needs of the vulnerable at the center.

Berigan said developing the concept of a semi-public, semi-private space started with a set of literal building blocks.

“We had a great meeting about that,” she said. “And then she did a design for us, but it just wouldn’t have worked.

“The bedroom wings went this way and people would have been running all night long just to get everywhere. So as a staff, we, labeled these little blocks — these are kids blocks.

“And I labeled them with different things that we needed.”

By taking the “building blocks” to their architect, what resulted was a state of the art building that provides for flexibility and creativity in the space available, Berigan said.

With eight bedrooms and seven full bathrooms, families with multiple children are more easily accommodated.

The building also has multiple activity rooms and indoor and outdoor play areas, expanded administrative areas and a secure intake area.

Each bedroom has a theme and Blessing House is working with local volunteers to paint murals to build a more fun and comfortable atmosphere where children can thrive under difficult circumstances, Berigan said.

Each room comes with a theme.

An additional feature Berigan said she is excited about is a small room allowing parents and families to unplug from the stress of the situation in a quiet, peaceful environment to read or just escape from the noise.

“It’s going to be centered very simply with a couple chairs and a little quiet music,” she said. “A lot of times, once parents are here, either to visit or to drop the kids off, they just kind of fall apart here.

“It just gives them a little space to regroup before they go on to whatever they have to do.”

Since beginning construction in June 2020, Berigan said she is excited as the project nears completion with a dedication ceremony in the works.

The organization cares for about 165 children annually. It has cared for 1,400 youngsters since 2005.

The expanded space will provide a boost to local services, support families that need help and can help reduce the number of children placed in the foster care system.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL A mural created by volunteers in the “farm room” at Blessing House’s new 16,730-square-foot building at 6155 Olivet St. in Elyria Township. Each of the eight bedrooms has a custom theme with volunteers from the community creating artistic murals.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Sister Mary Berigan is overseeing the final touches on Blessing House’s new 16,730-square-foot building at 6155Olivet St. in Elyria Township.