PHOTO BY GREG ROSENBERG

Tuesday, December 24, 2024; Edna House, W. 65^th and Madison: Edna House Assistant Director Sarah Murphy offers a tour of Edna House’s buildings.

by Maryann Coyne Rosenberg

   (Plain Press February 2025) Although several facilities are available in the Cleveland area for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction, one resource stands out as somewhat unique. The Edna House on West 65^th Street currently occupies space in the former school and convent of Saint Colman Catholic Church. It began 20 years ago in a small old house on the West Side. When need for a larger capacity became apparent, space was rented at St. Colman and finally purchased there in January of 2020.

   The Edna House is a six-month treatment program for women only. Major influences behind the principles and practices are based on Alcoholics Anonymous programs, and practices of Sister Mary Ignatia (founder of Rosary Hall at the former St. Vincent Charity Medical Center) and Jack Mulhall. The actual founders include Erin Becker, Nancy O’Donnell, Jane Bennett and Debra Ortgies.

   At the time Edna was founded, according to Executive Director Jenn Lasky, a woman could not attain sober living unless she had $1,500 in cash, a referral from the criminal justice system or private insurance. She states that Edna House treats approximately 100 residents per year and their mission is predicated on the goal of providing support and space for the women to heal and return to home and family with sustainable employment. Lasky says, Edna House gives residents a “hand-up, not a hand-out” to assist them in getting back on their feet. It’s all about promoting independence. “They do the real work,” explains Lasky.

   Upon entering Edna House and making a six-month commitment for healing, women reside on the third floor of the old convent in a communal setting. This space is where they begin to build the foundation for a successful recovery. They then move into one of ten rooms in the old St. Colman School. Along the way, they take responsibility for the upkeep of their rooms, planning meals and cooking.

   Examples of services provided at Edna House include education toward a GED, job skills training and trauma therapy. The program also consists of a strong alumni group of women volunteers who assist with rides to AA meetings, facilitate group therapy, donate their time at fundraisers and take the residents on field trips.

   Edna Co-Founder Erin Becker stresses the importance of “keeping recovery available to women based on their willingness to recover, not their ability to pay”. Since there is no government funding, Edna House relies on support from generous donors; contributions of meat from IT Exchange; and food from anonymous donors and the West Side Market. Clothing, boots, hygiene items and stamps are necessities obtained from giving trees at places such as St. Charles Church in Parma and St. Christopher’s in Rocky River. A beautiful new front door for the former convent building was recently installed courtesy of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

   Further support for Edna House is derived from its Board of Directors, The William Bingham Foundation, the surrounding community, families of residents and various fund-raising events. Some of these fund-raisers include an annual 5K run and a big St. Patrick’s Day party at the United Auto Workers Hall in Parma.

   For more information regarding The Edna House, please contact Jenn Lasky, Executive Director or Sarah Murphy, Assistant Director, at 216-281-7751.