Welcome to the Bethany House Website
 Bethany
House was founded by The United Methodist Church Union in 1962. The
first location was established in one of the largest public housing
communities in Pittsburgh known as Northview Heights (Northside of
Pittsburgh, Pa) and a year later a second public housing site location
was erected in St. Clair Village (Southside of Pittsburgh). With the
goal of becoming a beacon of hope for children, youth, and families
our journey continues. We have seen Preschool Graduates, High School
Graduates, College Graduates, and advanced College Degree Graduates
that serve as great models for what can be accomplished through faith.
At
Bethany House we enjoy assisting in making better students but we feel
greater joy in knowing that we have assisted in making our
participants better and greater human beings. This work that we do is
not easy nor does it come without personal sacrifice and the staff at
Bethany House certainly redefine what the purpose of social service is
all about. We are a part of the families that we serve, which means
we take this work personally. We don’t look at our participants as
numbers, statistics, or clients.
In
the midst of community violence and all the symptoms that are
associated with impoverished communities (i.e., low academic
performance, delinquency, substance abuse, etc) we find the great
light of hope shining bright. We see life full of promise. We see
spiritual prosperity overflowing daily and we see healthy hearts,
minds, body, and souls growing.
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Think About This Story:
One
day while cleaning up after a very productive afterschool session in
Northview Heights, three of my students (brother and 2 sisters) stayed
behind to offer their help. I began to notice that they were always
looking to the kitchen and out of curiosity I asked “is there
something you need?” and the oldest child responded “Mr. Murphy we’re
hungry and there’s nothing at our house to eat!”. Well like the great
responder to the need that I see myself as, I told them to stay at the
site for 20 minutes while I run an errand. I drove to the local
grocery store and bought 4 pounds of lunchmeats, milk, and peanut
butter and jelly milk to get them through the next few days. I
returned and gave them the bag and I felt great giving it to them and
yet there were no smiles on the faces of the children. I was
literally disturbed by this, because I know that we teach our children
to be humble and grateful for all of God’s gifts.
I
told each of the children to look me in the eye and tell me why they
are not happy about receiving the food that I purchased and the
youngest of the group sad “Mr. Murphy we have no bread”.
I
cry every time I try to tell that story because it reminds me of how
far we still must go in addressing the real issues of poverty that our
children, youth, and families in Northview Heights and St. Clair
Village have to deal with on a daily basis.
It
is my hope that every time you pick up a piece of bread you think
about those that could use some bread. Certainly Bethany House can
use your support to feed, clothe, and provide the best educational and
spiritual supports. Our lives will be measured by what we give so
please find it in your heart to do more in your community and in
communities that could use your help.
“Be a Difference Maker Today”
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