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.
Rachel BurgessAdministratorRachel 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.
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.
Amanda NobbeChrist Light AdministratorAmanda holds a degree in early childhood and special education from Rivier University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Dayton. For the past 16 years, shes been a stay-at-home parent, gaining deep experience in child development and trauma-informed care. As an adoptive parent, she’s passionate about family preservation and supporting children through transitions. In addition to the role of Administrator at Christ Light Day Nursery, Amanda also serves as part time Family Ministry Assistant at Bellarmine Chapel. Together with her husband Kyle, they are raising their children on their urban farm in Westwood.
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.
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.
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.
Amanda holds a degree in early childhood and special education from Rivier University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Dayton. For the past 16 years, shes been a stay-at-home parent, gaining deep experience in child development and trauma-informed care. As an adoptive parent, she’s passionate about family preservation and supporting children through transitions. In addition to the role of Administrator at Christ Light Day Nursery, Amanda also serves as part time Family Ministry Assistant at Bellarmine Chapel. Together with her husband Kyle, they are raising their children on their urban farm in Westwood.
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