Catholic Charities expands their aid to parenting women and children through a partnership with Zelie's Home as the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision passes. Parishes around the Diocese of Cleveland conducted a second In-Pew Appeal on June 3-4, 2023 and the funds from this follow-up appeal were specially dedicated to strengthen services that care for women and children including Zelie’s Home. Through a $100,000 matching challenge grant, any new, increased or additional gift to Catholic Charities made through June 30 was matched up to $100,000 to support this special cause.
Beginning in 2009 as Zechariah House in Parma, Zelie's Home has had multiple transitions. After closing for anticipated renovations, Zechariah House moved into an old convent in Garfield Heights in 2016 and continued to serve young mothers by supporting them on their motherhood journey from pregnancy to infancy. It transitioned to Zelie’s Home in 2020 and continues to aid women and their young children. The women get an opportunity to grow through a variety of programs and services, including counseling, parenting classes, financial literacy and more. Zelie’s Home recently opened a second location in a former convent in Lakewood, made possible through the partnership with Catholic Charities. As a result, an additional 10 young women will have a caring, compassionate home where they can thrive and embrace motherhood.
Zelie's Home is a caring community that empowers pregnant and parenting women to take positive and effective action on behalf of themselves and their children by providing physical, emotional, spiritual, and professional support. It is founded on five core values: human dignity, supportive and collaborative community, commitment to growth, safe learning environment, and resilience & creativity.