The Little Sisters of the Poor Home at 1028 Benton Avenue is a full-license nursing facility open to financially needy men and women aged 65 or older. As it was from their beginnings, the Little Sisters rely solely on Divine Providence to provide for their financial needs. From the first days of the foundation of the Pittsburgh Home in 1872, the Sisters have relied on the community to support their mission of compassionate care to the elderly. Currently 15 Little Sisters and 88 Residents call this Home, including 40 low-income apartment dwellers. Admission is based first and foremost on financial need, regardless of the Resident’s race or religion.
Little Sisters of the Poor
Continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our Misson is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home. Here they will be welcome as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to Himself.
This summer the Little Sisters celebrated their 100th anniversary of their main building on Benton Avenue. While they first arrived in Pittsburgh in 1872, it was in 1924 that the current location (James P. Wall Building) was dedicated and started welcoming Residents. Over 12,000 elderly have been cared for at this location by the Sisters and their lay staff. Each Resident has a private room in the nursing home or a private 1-bedroom apartment. Through a variety of robust services, the Sisters attend to each resident’s physical, spiritual, and social needs. This is on a daily basis until God calls them Home.
How to Support the Mission
There are many ways to support the Little Sisters mission. First would be making a monetary donation to help the Home’s operations, second would be purchasing any item from the Amazon Wishlist of much needed items or a homemade craft available through the Sisters’ website, and lastly would be volunteering your time at the Home. Visiting with Residents or behind the scenes work to support the Sisters mission is welcome. Even a day of service with office colleagues, girl scout group, or other social organization helps.
Over 50% of the Little Sisters’ annual budget comes in through donations. All contributions go towards the cost of care for the residents in the nursing home and the independent living apartments. There is annual budgetary shortfall due to the limited reimbursements through Medicaid for resident care; therefore, private donations are necessary to continue to operate the Little Sisters’ Home.
Story and Photography by Little Sisters of the Poor
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