|Photo by Joselyn King| A sign announces the future site of "Cathy's Haven" on property at 24th and Chapline streets near Center Wheeling. The YWCA Wheeling is having a home built there for women in recovery and who are re-entering society following incarceration.

WHEELING – YWCA Wheeling plans to build a new home near Center Wheeling where women recently incarcerated and those recovering from drug addiction can live – and perhaps find some job opportunities in close proximity.

The property for the future home is located at 24th and Chapline streets near the main post office in Wheeling.

Drawings for the structure will start in January, with a contractor being selected by July 2025, explained Lori Jones, executive director of the YWCA Wheeling. She expects construction to start next fall and take about a year to complete.

There will be parking at the bottom of the three-floor structure, with two levels of housing above, she said.

Former Wheeling City Council member Wendy Scatterday has been selected as the architect for the project.

The property consists of three lots and was donated to YWCA Wheeling by Barry and Lisa Allen, Jones added. The home will be named for Lisa Allen’s grandmother, Cathy Rudner.

A sign on the property bills it as the “future site of Cathy’s Haven.”

“It’s a perfect location. It’s 0.18 miles from the bus stop. There’s a lot of opportunities for employment there. I’m happy with it,” Jones said.

“The intention is to build it in a ‘u’ shape, and have an outdoor space for the ladies to go out and have community in the sun. It will be great.”

The initiative is part of the YWCA Wheeling’s Women Inspired in New Directions (WIND) Program, which empowers women to overcome barriers and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

The new property will help address a critical gap in the Ohio Valley – the urgent need for housing dedicated to women in recovery and reentry.

The YWCA Wheeling provided the following statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics:

– Over 60% of women released from corrections lack stable housing upon re-entry, significantly increasing the likelihood of recidivism.

– Women in recovery face compounded challenges, with one in five citing housing instability as a primary factor hindering sustained sobriety, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

YWCA Wheeling officials say the new property will provide a safe, supportive environment where women can focus on recovery, job readiness, and personal growth as they reintegrate into the community. In addition to housing, residents will have access to counseling, workforce development programs, and community support through WIND.

“Acquiring this property is a pivotal moment for our WIND Program,” Jones said. “This space represents hope and a fresh start for women who deserve the opportunity to reclaim their lives. We believe that every woman deserves dignity, support, and the chance to thrive.”