Zoar Home for Mothers, Babies, and Convalescents

The Zoar Home for Mothers, Babies, and Convalescents was founded by Ernst and Clara Schmitz, who opened their home in 1912 to women, of all ages, in trouble. In 1917, an official charter was granted to the Schmitz family to incorporate the Zoar Home. The community developed a high respect for Zoar, which was known for its unconditional help to mothers and babies; the Zoar Home not only offered medical treatment but education as well. Around 1924, the Zoar School of Nursing opened: many patients of Zoar remained to become nurses through this program. In 1966, when the last descendent of the Schmitz (Schmidt) family retired as Director, the Zoar Home came under the control of the United Methodist Church Union and remained under the UMCU until 2003. The Zoar Family Renewal Program began in 1993; this program was opened to all women who had addiction problems. Six years later, Zoar began a similar addiction program at Allegheny County Jail; this program soon extended to another one helping female inmates reintegrate into communities. In 2007, Zoar became a part of POWER, another women's addiction treatment provider. Though Zoar ceased to be a corporation, the merge ensured the continuation of its original work for years to come.