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Urban Mission Ministries' observance of International Women's Day on Wednesday at the Martha Manor emergency and transitional shelter for women and children that the mission has operated for one year included staff, volunteers and visitors throughout the course of the two-hour open house that included tours, information and refreshments. With the Rev. Ashley Steele, center, the mission's executive director, are, clockwise, front row, from left, Amanda Moore, Karen Hibbs, Jane Schaefer, Lisa Williams, Melissa Rawson, April Vance with 1-year-old Legend Wright, Bernadine White, Jodie Feezle and Cookie West, and back, Ola Carter, Brianna Sheets and Sandi Wyatt. In just one year, Martha Manor at 408 N. Fifth St., Steubenville, has sheltered 167 women and children, offering a safe and welcoming place to stay, with 50 percent moved to permanent housing, a statistic that compares to the state average of 30 percent, "so we're trending in a positive way," Steele said. She opened with prayer, "giving God thanks for us here at the Urban Mission, a year of service to women and children through Martha Manor, but then also recognizing this day just as it is International Women's Day and standing around the circle were all women who have been invested themselves, whether it's here at the Urban Mission or as members of the community. Sometimes it's just nice to pause and say thank you and thanks to God for the gifts he has provided us." Steele continued of the observance's purpose, "We wanted to make sure the community knows that this building, this ministry is a part of the community and that we want to eliminate the stigma of homelessness and to make sure that the community knows that this is a place where anyone is welcome to stay for sure if they need that, but also to volunteer, to support, to partner with us, and so having our doors open for tours and the open house is important for us and to be able to share the stories that have taken place here throughout this past year and to use this day as an opportunity to do that." The event included an opportunity for visitors to write thank-you notes provided -- ones for women who had made a difference in their lives or ones of encouragement to women staying in the shelter.
— Janice Kiaski