Thirty years ago, Sister Margaret Scheetz and her fellow Ursuline Sisters nailed it when aptly naming a new shelter for disadvantaged women and children they founded in Youngstown.

Thirty years of growth and diversification later, the Beatitude House has heaped multitudes of beatitudes, or supreme blessings, on its growing sphere of influence in Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. In fact, more than 7,500 people, primarily disadvantaged, victimized or homeless women and children, have profited from the variety of services offered to help them live safely and securely in the short term and independently and proudly in the long term.

Judging by the Beatitude House’s recently ended capital fundraising campaign, the greater Mahoning Valley community has recognized and rewarded its countless good works in return. The Ursuline Sisters revealed concrete evidence of that solid support recently in presenting the results of its Inspiring Hope fundraising drive.

Donors contributed an amazing $3.7 million, more than $200,000 above the original lofty goal.

Ellen Tressel, wife of Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and chairwoman of the three-year Inspiring Hope campaign, applauded the Valley’s generosity.

“Committed community members have made this goal possible. Your support makes providing a home to the homeless, supporting education goals to break generational poverty and teaching English to those entering our community possible,” she said.

The millions raised will be targeted into those primary service components of Beatitude House: transitional housing, permanent-

supportive housing, immigrant outreach including English language services and Ursuline Sisters Scholars.

The funding also will finance a variety of improvements across the spectrum of Beatitude House programming, including a child-wellness coordinator and school supplies.

The true value of the successful Inspiring Hope campaign, however, transcends sterile dollars and cents on a tote board. Instead it lies in the humanitarian blessings it bestows on its many deserving clients.

For one of many examples, take Rasha Ali, a Palestinian who came to Youngstown six years ago. For her, Beatitude House served as a life changer and a life saver.

The program placed Ali in touch with a lawyer who helped her navigate hurdles toward obtaining citizenship, offered a mentor twice weekly to assist her with studying for classes, and provided child care for her two daughters, 3 and 5, Ali said.

She is a single parent who is studying health-information management at Eastern Gateway Community College.

The Beatitude House also is committed to helping clients of future generations achieve similar stories of success and happiness, said Sister Mary McCormick, Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown’s general superior.

Given Beatitude’s many accomplishments and its legion of generous supporters, we have no doubt it will continue to dole out supreme blessings on our community and those who most need them for years and decades to come.

editorial@vindy.com