YOUNGSTOWN — Leo Crocker has petted many farm animals in his 11 years.

But the sixth-grader hadn’t seen a llama, and he enjoyed meeting one in person at Beatitude House’s Barnyard Birthday Bash. The picnic brought country fun to inner-city kids at its Lora Avenue site on Thursday.

About 120 clients and staff attended the event, which marked the beginning of the nonprofit’s 30-year anniversary and made up for celebrations canceled because of COVID-19.

“Several times a year we celebrate the children’s birthdays with parties and cake,” Keshia Bales, director of Beatitude House, said. “Since we were unable to during pandemic restrictions, we wanted to have one big birthday event.”

Families from Beatitude House’s three programs — housing, immigrant outreach and Ursuline Sisters Scholars — attended at different times during a three-hour window to limit crowd size.

The party featured a mobile petting zoo, food, cake and gifts for the children provided by Project MKC and private donors.

“The community support we have received over our 30-year history has been part of the key to our success,” said Sister Patricia McNicholas, donor relations director. “We have been blessed with the support of churches, foundations, individuals as well as government. We are ever grateful.”

Sister Patricia has ministered with Beatitude House since its founding and formerly served as its director. She’s also a member of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown’s Leadership Team.

Jenne Battaglia, Child Wellness coordinator for Beatitude House, said the party was especially welcome given the pandemic-related difficulties the children encountered.

“During this past year our kiddos demonstrated resiliency and perseverance — in ways that we could not have imagined — due to COVID-19,” Battaglia said. “The kids in our programs rose above challenges and still completed work, met with tutors, and were able to achieve academic success.”

Battaglia works with children in the ministry’s housing and Immigrant Outreach programs, some of whom go on to be part of the Scholars program, which helps them attain post high school certifications, training in trades and college degrees.

Beatitude House helps mothers and their children create better lives through housing, education and other assistance, Bales said, and offers programming in Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. Many of the women come from abusive situations and suffer homelessness.

“This also begins a year of celebrating the long-term stability Beatitude House has provided for over 7,500 individuals, along with the success of so many who have come to Beatitude House seeking refuge, stability and hope over the years,” Bales said.

Because Beatitude House helps families break the cycle of generational poverty, she said, its programs contribute to community success as well.

A part of Ursuline Ministries, Beatitude House is a ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. It was founded by the late Ursuline Sister Margaret Sheetz.

Bales, who’s worked at Beatitude House for 10 years, said the nonprofit’s board members, leadership team and staff are all “talented and committed to making a difference in our clients’ lives. We are blessed to be a part of the transformations that occur here every day.”