Our History

Joseph House has been a valuable resource for Greater Cincinnati’s veteran community since 1993. The organization was co-founded by Kateri Maureen Koverman — a beloved member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati — as a safe haven for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and homelessness. A sufferer of PTSD herself after advocating for U.S. armed forces and rendering aid to civilians in war-ravaged Vietnam and El Salvador, Sr. Kateri dedicated her later years ministering to veterans. She knew first-hand how the experiences of war inflicted suffering and stress on military members.

Certified as a halfway house in our early years, Joseph House provided veterans struggling with substance use issues — who were also experiencing homelessness — with counseling, substance abuse education, case management services and temporary housing in a sober living environment.

As the landscape and treatment needs of veterans evolved, we deepened our expertise and advanced our role in addressing the gaps faced in mental health care, holistic healing, housing and reintegration services.

Black and white portrait of Sister Kateri Maureen Koverman, founder, posing with her hand resting on her chin. A cross is visible in the background. Newspaper clipping featuring an article about Sister Kateri Maureen Koverman and her efforts to establish Joseph House. Exterior view of a former Joseph House location in Over-the-Rhine, featuring a distinct blue façade. Executive Director Alicia Patterson stands surrounded by more than a dozen clients during the Camp Washington groundbreaking ceremony, with construction activity visible in the background. Alicia Patterson smiles while speaking at a podium during the Camp Washington groundbreaking ceremony.

Our Facility

In June 2024, Joseph House realized a years’ long dream when we moved into a brand-new, state-of-the-art treatment facility in Camp Washington. For the first time in our 31 years, Joseph House offered accommodations to both male and female veterans and was accessible for veterans with mobility issues, inclusivity that just wasn’t possible in our former home in Over-the-Rhine.

Today, 80 percent of residents have access to single-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms, giving veterans suffering from PTSD the individual space necessary to lessen triggers and associated symptoms — something of which we know Sr. Kateri would have approved. While Joseph House has evolved and advanced to become Greater Cincinnati’s premier, comprehensive resource for struggling members of our veteran community, we remain steadfast and singularly focused on ensuring every client will leave our care stable, housed and filled with hope.

Seals of the six U.S. military branches displayed on the wall in the Joseph House lobby. A ping pong table sits at the center of the second-floor lounge at Joseph House. Single-occupancy room featuring green walls, a bed, a clothing rack and a private bathroom. Group room with a blue and tan wraparound couch and a calming scenic picture hanging on the wall. Multi-purpose room featuring several tables and chairs, with large windows that let in abundant natural light. Common kitchen with brown cabinets and multiple appliances, including a refrigerator, coffee maker, microwaves and more. Outdoor patio area enclosed by a brown fence, featuring several gray chairs and a table. The exterior of the Joseph House building is shown beneath a bright blue sky.
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“Kateri was part of the unarmed forces supporting those caught amid violent conflict. She did not return home from those experiences unscathed. Supporting veterans was her mission, and she’d be proud of Joseph House’s immense impact.”
– Sister Andrea Koverman, cousin of Kateri Koverman, founder of Joseph House