Mary Ellen MitchellCo-DirectorMary Ellen Mitchell is a co- founder of Lydia’s House. As a collegiate volunteer, she became interested in the root causes of homelessness at the Open Door Community in Atlanta. Shortly after her graduation from Emory University, she moved back to Cincinnati, her home, and became an on-site volunteer at Grace Place, a provider of transitional housing for women and children. Professional development continued for her in Washington, DC where she worked for Jubilee Housing, a nonprofit provider of housing and supportive services. She returned to Cincinnati in 2006 and went on to hone skills in fundraising and development and complete her MA at Xavier University. Mary Ellen has been married to Ben since 2008, is a member of Bellarmine Chapel and is the mother of three young children. She lives in Norwood where she's helped renovate 5 houses, 2 parks and sometimes preaches at local churches.
Meridith OwensbyCo-DirectorMeridith is a co-founder of Lydia's House. She has 15 year history in transitional and low-income housing provision. She became interested in the root causes of homelessness as a collegiate volunteer at the Open Door Community, a homeless service provider in Atlanta, Georgia. Meridith continued her work with the Open Door after graduation, becoming a live-in resident and the Volunteer Coordinator for the ministry. Professional development continued in Washington, DC. Meridith worked as a Social Services Manager at Miriam’s House, a home for homeless women with HIV. She brings many gifts and talents to Lydia's House, including case management and guest support, liturgy and celebration, and operations and finance prowess. She enjoys yoga and the arts, is an oblate with the Transfiguration Sisters and is a member of the Winton Community Free Methodist Church.
Debbie BaumgartnerDebbie lived and worked in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago for the last thirty years. She has volunteered at Cornerstone Community Outreach, a local homeless shelter that houses over 200 people nightly. Helping to get the Winthrop Avenue Family Historical Garden started and establishing the Uptown Restaurant Society have been some of her greatest joys. She has worked as a math teacher, event planner, bi-vocational pastor, and kitchen manager. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Mathematics and Theatre from Texas Christian University, and is currently working towards a Graduate Certificate in Theopoetics from Bethany Seminary. She is married to David and they have two great young adult children. Debbie enjoys connecting with others, cooking, and reading. She is excited to continue to use her gifts in her work at Lydia’s house and learn about Cincinnati from the women there.
David BaumgartnerDavid is married to Debbie and they have 2 amazing college kids. David has managed low-income senior housing and more recently was the building engineer for a 10 story 100 year old building in Uptown, Chicago. As a young man David spent a year in Costa Rica on a farm and learned Spanish, a skill that he has tried to keep all these years since. David went to school for furniture design and interior construction in Austria. He enjoys creating things out of pallet wood or upcycling other treasures into furniture. David is looking forward to help maintain safe and healthy environments where people can thrive.
Tiffany NirschelTiffany is one of our live-in community builders at Lydia's House who came to us through the Bruderhof. She has experience in Early Childhood Education, Sales and Customer Service for Rifton Equipment, as well as working directly with and caring for children with special needs. Her parents, originally from the Pacific Northwest, spent their younger years doing humanitarian work. Their love for Christ shown through their love and care for people in need inspired Tiffany, eventually leading her to Lydia's House. When she is not working, Tiffany enjoys swimming, hiking, Jazzercise (which a friend recently introduced her to) and trying foods from other cultures.
Laurel StoltzfusLaurel is a family advocate at Lydia's House. She is a recent graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she studied theology and biology with hopes of someday working in women's health. She has worked with children's faith formation and education in several ways and loves getting to know kids and their parents. Laurel grew up in the Presbyterian church and is ordained as a deacon in the PC(USA) denomination, but came to Lydia's House through Mercy Volunteer Corps, a Catholic year-long service program that emphasizes peacebuilding, antiracism, creation care, and serving the needs of women. Laurel is married to Andrew since June 2024 and enjoys spending her free time baking, reading, and exploring Cincinnati!
Hanna LesserHanna comes from Germany and just finished high school. After school, she wanted to expand her mindset by learning about a new job and culture. She applied to INVIA international, an organization in Germany that helps young volunteers find social work experience abroad. INVIA connected Hanna to Lydia's House, where she now works as a volunteer. Hanna enjoys drawing, painting, sewing and being outdoors in her free time.
Marion ZumpeMarion Zumpe is one of our live-in volunteers here at Lydia's House. She came to us from the Bruderhof and is staying through April. Marion has had lots of experience working with children ages one ten as well as some volunteer work. As a child Marion remembers volunteering at the local soup kitchen with her class and those experiences made her want to volunteer as an adult. In her free time Marion loves to explore new places in the city and the surrounding area as well as play her guitar. Rachel BurgessRachel Burgess is the part-time Administrative Support and Development Associate. Prior to working at Lydia's House, Rachel worked in refugee resettlement for over 8 years. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, afterwards working as an immigration paralegal in Minneapolis, MN. Rachel returned to Cincinnati in 2015. Married to Zach since 2018, Rachel has two young boys and enjoys the outdoors, reading, and exercise. They are members of New City Presbyterian Church.
Mary Ellen Mitchell is a co- founder of Lydia’s House. As a collegiate volunteer, she became interested in the root causes of homelessness at the Open Door Community in Atlanta. Shortly after her graduation from Emory University, she moved back to Cincinnati, her home, and became an on-site volunteer at Grace Place, a provider of transitional housing for women and children. Professional development continued for her in Washington, DC where she worked for Jubilee Housing, a nonprofit provider of housing and supportive services. She returned to Cincinnati in 2006 and went on to hone skills in fundraising and development and complete her MA at Xavier University. Mary Ellen has been married to Ben since 2008, is a member of Bellarmine Chapel and is the mother of three young children. She lives in Norwood where she's helped renovate 5 houses, 2 parks and sometimes preaches at local churches.
Meridith is a co-founder of Lydia's House. She has 15 year history in transitional and low-income housing provision. She became interested in the root causes of homelessness as a collegiate volunteer at the Open Door Community, a homeless service provider in Atlanta, Georgia. Meridith continued her work with the Open Door after graduation, becoming a live-in resident and the Volunteer Coordinator for the ministry. Professional development continued in Washington, DC. Meridith worked as a Social Services Manager at Miriam’s House, a home for homeless women with HIV. She brings many gifts and talents to Lydia's House, including case management and guest support, liturgy and celebration, and operations and finance prowess. She enjoys yoga and the arts, is an oblate with the Transfiguration Sisters and is a member of the Winton Community Free Methodist Church.
Debbie lived and worked in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago for the last thirty years. She has volunteered at Cornerstone Community Outreach, a local homeless shelter that houses over 200 people nightly. Helping to get the Winthrop Avenue Family Historical Garden started and establishing the Uptown Restaurant Society have been some of her greatest joys. She has worked as a math teacher, event planner, bi-vocational pastor, and kitchen manager. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Mathematics and Theatre from Texas Christian University, and is currently working towards a Graduate Certificate in Theopoetics from Bethany Seminary. She is married to David and they have two great young adult children. Debbie enjoys connecting with others, cooking, and reading. She is excited to continue to use her gifts in her work at Lydia’s house and learn about Cincinnati from the women there.
David is married to Debbie and they have 2 amazing college kids. David has managed low-income senior housing and more recently was the building engineer for a 10 story 100 year old building in Uptown, Chicago. As a young man David spent a year in Costa Rica on a farm and learned Spanish, a skill that he has tried to keep all these years since. David went to school for furniture design and interior construction in Austria. He enjoys creating things out of pallet wood or upcycling other treasures into furniture. David is looking forward to help maintain safe and healthy environments where people can thrive.
Tiffany is one of our live-in community builders at Lydia's House who came to us through the Bruderhof. She has experience in Early Childhood Education, Sales and Customer Service for Rifton Equipment, as well as working directly with and caring for children with special needs. Her parents, originally from the Pacific Northwest, spent their younger years doing humanitarian work. Their love for Christ shown through their love and care for people in need inspired Tiffany, eventually leading her to Lydia's House. When she is not working, Tiffany enjoys swimming, hiking, Jazzercise (which a friend recently introduced her to) and trying foods from other cultures.
Laurel is a family advocate at Lydia's House. She is a recent graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she studied theology and biology with hopes of someday working in women's health. She has worked with children's faith formation and education in several ways and loves getting to know kids and their parents. Laurel grew up in the Presbyterian church and is ordained as a deacon in the PC(USA) denomination, but came to Lydia's House through Mercy Volunteer Corps, a Catholic year-long service program that emphasizes peacebuilding, antiracism, creation care, and serving the needs of women. Laurel is married to Andrew since June 2024 and enjoys spending her free time baking, reading, and exploring Cincinnati!
Hanna comes from Germany and just finished high school. After school, she wanted to expand her mindset by learning about a new job and culture. She applied to INVIA international, an organization in Germany that helps young volunteers find social work experience abroad. INVIA connected Hanna to Lydia's House, where she now works as a volunteer. Hanna enjoys drawing, painting, sewing and being outdoors in her free time.
Rachel Burgess is the part-time Administrative Support and Development Associate. Prior to working at Lydia's House, Rachel worked in refugee resettlement for over 8 years. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, afterwards working as an immigration paralegal in Minneapolis, MN. Rachel returned to Cincinnati in 2015. Married to Zach since 2018, Rachel has two young boys and enjoys the outdoors, reading, and exercise. They are members of New City Presbyterian Church.
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