Joseph & Mary's Home Perseverance in Hope Luncheon raises more than $102,000

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Tags: Joseph & Mary's Home , Outreach

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“We are in the right place. With the right program. With the right purpose. At the right time.”

Keynote speaker Bobby Watts delivered those words to the more than 300 attendees at the annual Joseph & Mary's Home Perseverance in Hope 2025 Benefit Luncheon on October 30. This year’s luncheon raised more than $102,000 for Joseph & Mary’s Home, including $18,187 that will go directly toward the Sr. Joan Gallagher, CSA, Endowment Fund.

Watts, who is the CEO of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, expressed that Joseph & Mary’s Home is a national leader in medical respite care.

“Joseph & Mary’s Home is one of just two medical respites that I am aware of in the United States that is accredited as a rehabilitation facility. This means that there is a focus on acute medical conditions, while also going the extra mile to work toward long-term rehabilitation,” he said.

Watts also explained how in Cleveland, medical respite is a part of the homeless response system, or the continuum of care. He said this is not common in other cities, where those who enter medical respite lose their spot in line to secure permanent housing. In Cleveland, that doesn’t happen. “Cleveland is a special place,” he said. “You have a robust service network, donor community and business network, but are a small enough city where you can collaborate and connect easily.”

Watts further highlighted how he is impressed with the Joseph & Mary’s Home alumni program that lends support to former residents, whether they need a place to do their laundry or need a ride to a medical appointment.

“Joseph & Mary’s Home helps residents reach their full potential, and make sure people can be whole again. Look at the resident stories shared today. This place has helped restore their health, hope and future. Medical respite is morally right and fiscally responsible, and reasonable,” he said.

With The City Club CEO Dan Moulthrop as emcee, Perseverance in Hope also honored two award winners.

Tom Tyrrell received the David Henderson Memorial Award. Tyrrell chaired the most recent “A New Home for Healing” Capital Campaign to relocate and renovate Joseph’s Home. The campaign – which publicly launched in June 2024 – raised over $3 million. This surpassed the original $2.5 million goal. Thanks to Tyrrell’s efforts, the money raised will go toward Joseph’s Home capital improvements, as well as operational costs and the endowment. Click here to watch a video about David Henderson Memorial Award Recipient Tom Tyrrell.

The City of Cleveland’s “A Home for Every Neighbor” initiative was this year’s Dream Team Partnership in Service Award recipient. Cleveland Department of Public Health Housing & Outreach Project Manager Liam Haggerty accepted the award. The initiative began in February 2024. The city’s original goal was to have 150 unsheltered residents placed in safe, stable housing within 18 months of the initiative’s launch. As of the end of October, they have successfully housed nearly 200 residents, exceeding their goal in a shorter amount of time than anticipated. Click here to watch a video about the Dream Team Partnership in Service Award Recipient “A Home for Every Neighbor” initiative in the City of Cleveland.

Pictures from the event can be viewed on the Joseph & Mary’s Home Facebook Page.

Joseph & Mary's Home is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.