By 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
Reflection of a Current Volunteer– Theresa
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
The Cheap Seats
on saying no to plastic surgery and yes to the b team By Mary Ellen Mitchell, Lydia’s House co-director The night before my partial mastectomy we went to my son Sam’s middle school soccer game. He’s playing for our neighborhood, Norwood, instead of his club team because, with the addition of my mid summer breast cancer diagnosis, we just couldn’t manage the transportation and weekend demands of select athletics. Our neighborhood, while rapidly gentrifying, shows few signs of that in its school sports program, so it’s been a bit challenging for Sam to lose and lose again. When we pulled
Beating the Winter Blues
We’ve had some very welcome sunny days lately but January and February were brutal in Cincinnati. Living in a shelter with children can be especially rough. We tried to do a lot this winter to make life more bearable including An after Christmas pool partyA random Friday night bowling partyA Galentines extravaganza Interspersed with these big events we also were thrilled and excited to welcome a baby in a (surprise) home birth, keep on keeping on with our weekly Wednesday night family programs, attend the New York Encounter, complete level 1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, share a couple
2024 Recap
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
