Medina Creative House breaks ground on townhome project

Bob Sandrick - The Gazette

PEPPER PIKE — About 200 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday evening for 25 new Medina Creative Housing town houses on the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland campus.

Attendees included Pepper Pike Mayor Richard Bain, veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera and future residents of the town houses.

“I can’t wait to live on my own and be with all my friends,” Jared Stearns, a future town house resident, told the crowd.

Medina Creative Housing, which provides housing, vocational training, services and support for those with disabilities so they can live as independently as possible, is partnering with the Ursuline Sisters on the town houses. It’s been an 11-year process.

“I see all of our families here, with their children, and it is very emotional for me,” said Diane DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of Medina Creative Housing.

DePasquale-Hagerty said Medina Creative Housing clients are scheduled to move into the new town houses in September 2024. The 3-acre site is next to Ursuline College.

“We have a chance to make a real connection between the college and the special needs community,” said Ed Stevens, vice president of the Medina Creative Housing board of trustees. “That is really touching to me.”

Jared Stearns’ mother, Trudy Stearns, said she was happy that her son will have a safe, supportive place to live.

“The opportunity for growth, friendship and so much more are all possible in this community,” Trudy Stearns said.

Families of the residents will pay for the single-floor town houses, some with one bedroom, others with two. However, the sisters have agreed to pay for two of the homes.

Also, Medina Creative Housing is raising money for a community center for the residents.

The Ursuline Sisters consider the project part of their mission, which according to their website is “transforming society through contemplation, justice and compassion.”

“Parents of potential residents have told us how important this project is to them, so they can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones will have a permanent place to live when their families are no longer able to care for them,” the Ursuline Sisters website says.

“And there simply is not enough housing available for this population,” the website says. “We believe strongly that providing housing for individuals with disabilities is a social justice issue — that they, like everyone else, deserve an opportunity to live in a safe neighborhood, where they can live as independently as possible.”

Members of the Ursuline Sisters have experience working with special needs people and have expressed a desire to help residents living on their campus, the website says.

“The sisters will not make any money on this project,” the website says.

Contact Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com.