Franciscan University of Steubenville opens home to support pregnant students

Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS), a Catholic university in Ohio, recently announced that it has opened an off-campus residence to support pregnant students.

According to a university press release, the home, Guadalupe House, “will provide pregnant students who are enrolled at Franciscan University a nurturing and faith-filled environment, and the practical support they need to continue their education during their pregnancy.”

Pregnant students will be able to live in the home for up to two semesters while paying the on-campus housing rate, and will receive a private room along with services like diapers, nursery furniture, and baby clothing, along with the support of an on-site residence coordinator.

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The home was given to FUS because of a generous donation from Heather and Doug Perry, who recognized a greater need to help pregnant students. The couple had a house that was previously used for mission purposes, and they were praying for ways in which the Lord would next utilize the home.

“For years, the University had an obvious desire to meet the unique needs of students who might find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy,” Heather Perry said. “It was clear the Lord was answering my prayer to find a new purpose for the mission house as well as President Father Dave Pivonka’s hope to meet the needs of some of his students.”

Offering pregnant and parenting students a supportive environment where they can welcome new life while continuing their studies is just one way that colleges and universities can be supportive of the needs of all their students.

“Knowing past students who could have benefited from a home like this made it clear the University had to come up with a better way to support a student living through an unplanned pregnancy,” said Dr. Daniel Dentino, vice president of Student Life at FUS. “Guadalupe House will allow us to provide practical and pastoral support to young moms and to extend Franciscan’s commitment to human life from conception to natural death.”