OPERATIC FUBNDRAISER — Shelley Jackson, left, will perform a special benefit concert at the Sycamore Youth Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 to benefit her sister’s, Susannah Jackson, right, nonprofit organization Homeward Bound of Steubenville. Shelley is an opera singer who lives in Italy. This photo was taken during Susannah’s visit to England in 2018, when she watched her sister perform “La Boheme.” -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — An Italian opera benefit concert to help the Homeward Bound of Steubenville program, is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Sycamore Youth Center.

Homeward Bound offers low-barrier housing and life-changing fellowship — a nonprofit that was begun in January by area resident Susannah Jackson.

Set to perform at the event will be Jackson’s sister, Shelley Jackson, who if flying in from her home in Rome.

Accompanying Shelley at the performance will be pianist Sadie Hoyt.

“Shortly after moving to Steubenville in 2023, I became friends with Sadie Hoyt, who grew up just outside of Steubenville and has a master’s of music in chamber music from the Catholic University of America,” Susannah stated. “She is an entrepreneur developing an impressive classical music curriculum. Sadie and my sister are performing pro bono, so almost 100 percent of proceeds will benefit the homeless.”

“My sister is a professional opera singer and sings primarily in Europe,” Susannah stated. “Our family has strong Italian heritage and my sister fell in love with Italy. Through our Italian heritage on my mom’s side, she became an Italian citizen and has lived in Rome for several years. I have seven siblings, and the rest of us live in the states, so we rarely get to see her perform.”

As I was considering different fundraising events, I asked my sister if she would consider singing a benefit concert, and she said ‘absolutely!’ We were both very excited about the idea, but not sure many people would show up. I ran it by Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director at the Sycamore Center, and he enthusiastically supported the idea. He felt that our local Italian population would love to hear Italian opera selections performed by a professional opera singer who shares their heritage and love for Italy.”

Shelley explained she has known from a very young age that she wanted to be a singer. Since seeing the “Phantom of the Opera” for her 11th birthday, she knew that was the path she wanted to take in life. Although it has taken a very long time for her to become an opera singer — from developing her voice and technique, learning languages, piano and musicality, along with building her network, she says it was worth it.

Shelley studied in Italy for two years with Mirella Freni, who grew up with Pavarotti.

“I have not sung in the United States in quite some time and have not had the opportunity to sing for my family in quite a while,” Shelley stated. “Two of my siblings now live in Steubenville and my extended family is coming as well. So, I’m most excited to sing for them, and especially in a program that I can choose myself. I am very proud of my sister for founding this incredible nonprofit, in a vitally important area for outreach, and in a world that desperately needs more compassion and love for your neighbor. I’m so happy to be able to support her.”

Shelley provided a hint as to what she will be performing at the Oct. 4 event.

“I sang full productions of “La bohème” and “Tosca” this summer, so both of these will be included,” she said. “I’m looking forward to trying out some new verismo repertoire, which is dramatic Italian realism from about 1900, that I have not yet gotten a chance to perform onstage, such as “La Gioconda” and “Mefistofele.”

“Steubenville has a strong and proud Italian heritage, and so this was a perfect fit,” Shelley concluded.

Susannah is proud of Shelley for her accomplished operatic performances. And Shelley is proud of Susannah for beginning her own nonprofit to help people.

Homeward Bound was created to establish transitional housing for those who are homeless, locally, according to Susannah, who stated, “Steubenville has emergency and permanent housing, but no transitional housing, which is a significant and very problematic gap.”

“Transitional housing is typically two-to-three years of housing in preparation for placement in permanent supportive housing,” Susannah continued. “During this transition, people experiencing homelessness have time to adjust to stable housing and become established in the system. This prepares them to abide by the expectations and rules of permanent supportive housing, enabling them to stay housed once they enter permanent housing.

Our goal is to fill that gap with transitional housing that reintroduces homeless persons into society and empowers them to work and volunteer. We hope to get people back on their feet and paying their own bills, guiding them into their own private leases and not in subsidized housing. We are trying to do this primarily through volunteer efforts and private funding.”

A reception will follow the performance at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern.

Tickets are available on EventBrite.com or tickets can be reserved by sending a check, noting in the memo line the money is for the concert, and mailed to: P.O. Box 151, Steubenville, OH 43952 by Sept. 25.

Anyone interested in advertising their business or organization at the event can send an e-mail to contact@hbsteubenville.org for sponsorship information.