0 0
Read Time:3 Minute, 43 Second


 

Lydia’s House 2024 Report to Partners

As a result of work and prayer, the fruits of last year included:

Guest Care and Aftercare

  • Explored new data tracking systems and exported existing data to “Notion” for guest outcome reporting
  • Created a new guest exit survey to improve the experience of future guest families
  • Added summer camp to our offerings, including swimming, reading and life skills supports for guest and former guest kids ages 3-12
  • Partnered with Trout Lilly Montessori, Bellarmine Chapel, and Procter Episcopal camp for family enrichment
  • Created a float and walked in the Norwood Day Parade with Lydia’s House kids
  • Provided temporary housing outside of the shelter during shelter expansion
  • Maintained shelter occupancy of 88% during renovation

Administration, Staffing and Fundraising

  • Hired Rachel Burgess as director of administration to support the core staff
  • Updated our fiscal policies and personnel policies manuals
  • Completed our solar install through Sonlight Power
  • Oversaw an audit of our 2023 finances
  • Created partnership with University of Notre Dame for intern placements; hosted 4 summer interns
  • Fully funded all elements of the expansion plan, expanding our footprint with zero debt
  • Sold 2005 Mills Ave to fund future housing expansions
  • Celebrated 10 years of hosting guests with an epic event, including an ice cream truck
  • Hosted our first In-via German gap year student for a 1-year internship
  • Implemented a new staff evaluation process and job description grid system as well as daily tracking for guest care and shelter management tasks

Affordable Housing and Shelter Expansion

  • Completed our shelter expansion, adding capacity for guests and aftercare activities
  • Collaborated with Hamilton County to oversee construction administration of the addition
  • Renovated 2028 Mills Ave to expand the shelter yard, streamline staff housing, and consolidate offices for improved supportive case management/care. Moved office from 2005 Mills to 2028 Mills
  • Completed and implemented our campus master plan including a new playset, prayer garden and outdoor dining area
  • Completed the Bread and Roses mural on 1801 Mills Ave affordable housing building
  • Developed a new landlord partnership and legal paradigm for property management of non Lydia’s House owned units; moved 2 families into landlord partnership building
  • Moved 3 families on to new landlords at the end of their 3 years stay in Lydia’s House affordable housing; replaced those families with existing shelter guests to reach 100% capacity on our affordable housing units
  • Partnered with Over the Rhine Community Housing for affordable housing placement for other shelter guest families
  • Responded efficiently to the Section 8 moratorium by creating our own housing subsidy
  • Enrolled 2 people in the Family Self Sufficiency program to help them save for home ownership

Strategic Partnerships

  • Continued our partnerships with Bellarmine Chapel, The Moose Lodge, The Smith Family and the Cornish Scott Family for Holiday Festivities
  • Hosted the Bruderhof youth for a work weekend; received produce, baked goods and needed items from the Bruderhof community
  • Partnered with Artworks for a backyard sports court surface mural
  • Hosted Tim Hochstetler for swim lesson and first aid training
  • Partnered with St Timothy Episcopal Church, Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Calvary Episcopal Church, Norwood Jazzercise, Trilogy Fitness, The Beauty Shop, Trihealth, Norwood Recreation Department and many more for drives for needed items
  • Took an outing to Gorman Farm courtesy of the Aerni Family
  • Continued our partnership with Drive to Thrive for car placements for our families
  • Sent a large group of kids to Camp Joy
  • Swam and Trick or Treated with the Norwood Department of Recreation
  • Published an article in Comment Magazine
  • Continued our partnership with Xavier Eigel Center for weekly student volunteers
  • Supported the regional Catholic Worker gathering and offered childcare to the extended community; visited the LA Catholic Worker; supported the Bloomington Catholic Worker discernment project
  • Offered meals and childcare to the Nurturing Communities conference
  • Took meetings with potential collaborators on a new daycare for Lydia’s House families

Spirituality, Atrium and Adult Programming

  • Added onsite classrooms for family faith program
  • Sent 2 staff members through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, level 1
  • Developed a new staff faith formation program
  • Developed and implemented an adult faith formation program for guests and former guests
  • Created a sodality support group to support Meridith and Mary Ellen personally, professionally and spiritually
  • Hosted guests at our home churches in an effort to connect families to the larger Christian community
Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %