By Doing a gap year after high school was something I had dreamed about for a very long time. That’s probably why it felt so unreal sitting on a plane to Cincinnati, OH, to volunteer at Lydia‘s House for one year. Now, one month later, I still can’t decide what my favorite memory has been. I love the little moments at the shelter: sitting together for dinner, helping to cook and set up the table so it feels like a festive event every evening. The satisfaction after finishing a house duty shift, when the shelter looks clean again—knowing it will be
safe housing, holistic care and supportive community for women and children in Greater Cincinnati
What's happening
Children deserve to live in buildings
Over the last 2 weeks several media outlets have reported that Cincinnati Public Schools will be opening a homeless car lot for families to live in cars with children. Here’s the article reporting on this plan in WVXU and in the Cincinnati Enquirer. In response, our co-director Mary Ellen wrote an op-ed which was published in the paper edition of the Enquirer on 10/26/25. Here is a copy of what went to print: Children deserve to live in buildings Cincinnati Public Schools’ opening of car lot is proof city has failed to find solutions for family homelessness Cincinnati Public Schools
