Jefferson County ESC

JCRN Learns about Homeward Bound of Steubenville

WINTERSVILLE-Spiritual inspiration to help the poor and homeless led a local woman to heed the call, and she shared her story with members of the Jefferson County Resource Network (JCRN).JCRN was established by Beth Rupert-Warren, community services coordinator with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, to provide an online storehouse for local services. Today, the network provides 74 categories of resources with contact information for area agencies and is accessible via website and App. It is supported through JCESC, the county commission, Jefferson County Health District, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Milton Jefferson Recovery, Jefferson County Veterans Service Office, Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board, and the Bergholz Community Foundation. Members also meet each month to get updated on services and hear from featured speakers.The latest session included Susannah Jackson, founder of Homeward Bound of Steubenville, who addressed nearly 40 people at Wintersville Methodist Church on Sept. 11. Jackson, an internal medicine physician assistant at Trinity Medical Center, said she had at times encountered a need for patients to have emergency housing, but it was a missionary trip to India which led to some divine intervention. She had volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa, or St. Teresa of Calcutta, and served at the Home of the Dying.“I was in prayer next to Mother Teresa’s tomb and over I heard over and over again, ‘Serve my poor, serve my poor,’” she said. “I thought about it, prayed over it, and talked to people. I interpreted it as a call from God to start some type of housing ministry for the homeless here in Steubenville.”She went on to make connections with Rupert-Warren, Pastor Bobbyjon Bauman, and others and began to form what is now the Homeward Bound of Steubenville. The 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation is dedicated to the poor and homeless by providing low-barrier, transitional housing and customized, one-on-one community fellowship. It began in January of 2025 and officials networked to raise funds, seek volunteers, and market the program. Jackson acquired a three-bedroom home in the city that is rented by the organization, while a local man contributed his own time and supplies to make upgrades and the Trinity Health Systems Foundation provided a $30,000 grant to aid with expenses.“I’m proud to say that thanks to the generosity of the community and some hard-core networking, we were able to get nearly everything donated,” she said, noting furniture, utensils, and other necessities were received to fill the home.A residential manager, known as a “House Dad,” is now onsite while two men also occupy rooms, and Jackson hopes to one day provide another house for women and children.“I’m very proud to say that due to the dedicated volunteers and countless hours [of work], we moved in our first homeless man in May with the second in June,” she said as she received applause. “We are at capacity.”Officials also refined the vision for the transitional housing program, which provides lodging for one to three years while tenants work to turn their lives around. Homeward Bound of Steubenville also offers resources that are customized for self-improvement, including access to social services, education, and workforce help.“We call it the Fellowship Program and it’s actually the more exciting part of what Homeward Bound offers to the community,” Jackson added. “People being housed must participate in the program we formulated for them and they are customized to each man based upon his needs.”The tenants must complete primary care appointments, social work, counseling, volunteering, and working at least part-time within three months of being housed, and the organization also assists if they need to complete their GED,repay debts, work to reconcile with family members, and gain workforce training. The two current residents work with the Jefferson County Community Action Council but the goal is to help them find gainful employment so they may eventually live on their own.“It’s just very exciting and very moving to see how these guys are trying to become the best versions of themselves,” Jackson commented. “They are trying to stay away from drugs, get back on their feet, and get into private housing for themselves. Our goal is to find them housing and economic independence.”She said her future hopes are to pay off the present house and establish another site for women and children so they can get back on the right path. Jackson said she would also consider a donated house and will continue fundraising and working towards her plan. During a subsequent question-and-answer session, she said the biggest needs were for volunteers and donations, especially for a handyman to help make improvements to the house. She also noted that the tenants’ only requirement was help and they need not be from Steubenville or Jefferson County.“We could service the area,” she said. “The main thing we’re looking for is people who want to change their lives and actually work with us.”For more information or to make donations, contact Homeward Bound of Steubenville by mail at P.O. Box 151, Steubenville, Ohio, 43952, by calling (740) 232-9758, or going online at www.hbsteubenville.org or the organization’s Facebook page.Photo Caption: Susannah Jackson, founder of Homeward Bound of Steubenville, addressed about 40 people during the monthly meeting of the Jefferson County Resource Network on Sept. 11. Jackson discussed her nonprofit transitional housing program which aims to help the homeless get back on their feet and eventually have their own lodging and economic independence. Homeward Bound currently houses two men and hopes to support women and children at a second home in the future.

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