Help, hope, healing is ministry's dream
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When an impoverished, severely depressed woman came for help to Psalm 119 Ministries in Beechview, she said her dream was to land a job feeding people, as in a soup kitchen.
For the next two years, the woman underwent weekly counseling at the site for her depression, and was referred to a psychiatrist for treatment, including medication. She maintained a low-paying job while living in the off-site transitional housing the faith-based, non-profit organization provides for clients.
Today, the woman is employed outside Pennsylvania in a successful position in her chosen field.
"She received help, hope, and healing," said Psalm 119 founder and Executive Director Doreen Weiss, echoing her own dream-come-true: offering help, hope, and healing to women who are spiritually, emotionally, and/or physically at risk.
Counseling is the main focus, said Mrs. Weiss, 57, of Dormont, who has a master's degree in community counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
A recent $5,000 grant from the Avon Corporation will help offset counseling fees for domestic violence clients.
Located on two floors at 1535 Broadway Ave. in former dentistry offices, the largely volunteer Psalm 119 Ministries is named for the longest chapter in the Bible.
"Its theme is to follow God's ways. When we stray, there are consequences," said Mrs. Weiss, who is employed as a counselor for Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute out of the Allegheny Center Alliance Church office on the North Side.
"A lot of Christian women are concerned if, biblically, they have a right to leave a marriage as Scripture says God hates divorce.
"But when you look at the characteristics of Christ and God's love, he would never want a woman to stay and be beaten in a relationship," she said.
Psalm 119 welcomes clients of any, or no, denomination.
Its operations are overseen by a six-member board whose president is Sherry Hazuda, 59, of Beechview.
First Published January 7, 2010 12:00 am
