If you need help with housing, food, healthcare, and other services, calling 2-1-1 connects you with available resources within your community.

2-1-1 is completely free and confidential. Once you call, you’ll speak to a Professional Information and Referral Specialist who will work with you to find a shelter or other services you need.

“I was treated with such dignity. I never got the feeling anyone was looking down their nose at me. They were wonderful. I had a very positive experience, and wish more people knew about 211.” – Michigan 211 Client (testimonial from www.211.org )

According to The National Alliance to End Homelessness , “Provider staff may try to help you maintain your current housing (if you have any) and resolve conflicts that are keeping you from staying there. They may negotiate with a friend or family to extend your housing and may be able to assist you with rent or utilities.”

If you cannot stay in your current housing situation, the specialist will contact homeless shelters in your local area to find one that has availability.

In Toledo, there are homeless shelters that house single men, single women, and families. Depending on your situation, you will be connected to a shelter that can accommodate you.

During this time, you may be asked questions about how long you’ve been homeless, your family situation, your income, employment history, and criminal history. You’re asked these questions to help match you to the services that best fit your situation.

If you are a veteran, fleeing from a domestic abuse situation, or a young adult alone, you may be eligible for additional services.

Once your needs and situation have been assessed, you will be referred to a shelter bed immediately or placed on a wait list.

If you are referred to a shelter like Leading Families Home, you’ll be asked to complete an intake form and mental health assessment.

At Leading Families Home, a professional will work with you to create a personal treatment plans and goals. This is to help you find a path for your life of which you can be proud and help you achieve your dreams.

For those who come to stay at Beach House Family Shelter , you’ll be welcomed by a staff of professionals, including Peer Support Specialists, Housing Stabilization Case Managers, Qualified Mental Health Specialists, Clinical Therapists, and Shelter Monitors.

Inside, the shelter is decorated to look like a cozy home with flowered wallpaper and paintings. You’ll find tables, chairs, lamps, couches, and a large kitchen inside.

Outside is a large yard with benches to sit and relax and a play area for children.

“I was there more than 10 years ago and I would recommend this shelter to anyone I love this place and I love the staff I would give you guys 10 Stars.” – Chresha Anntonette Talley, former resident at Beach House Family Shelter.

One of our shelter team members, Deleice, is a former Beach House resident. She has shared her story on Facebook, and here is an excerpt:

When I first arrived at the Beach House, I was very embarrassed… I didn’t want anyone to know I was there, refused my picture being taken and posted on their website. And to top it all off, it was Christmas time.

As I got myself more involved with the routine of Beach House requirements, I learned more and more about my true self every day.

I found myself embracing my current status. Trusting the process and believing in what I was learning. I was attending my meeting regularly, continually pulling away layers and layers of dead skin, tossing off old baggage that had weighed me down for all of my adult life.

I searched for steady employment, and potential housing opportunities. As time progressed, the Beach House rules no longer affected my agenda. In fact, that helped to shape the woman I was striving to be.

As my days at the Beach House neared an end, I sat in amazement at how far I had come in such a short period of time. Naturally I wanted instant results and I was quickly reminded that slow and steady wins the race. I had to keep my endurance up, my adrenaline pumping, and in the times when I was stuck and couldn’t move, I sat patiently and waited on the Lord to give me refill.

I entered the Beach House, a big girl, a grown girl, a 33 year old single mother of two sons. I had lost all hope and direction. The young blonde case manager was my silent cheerleader. She had perfected a formula that was fool proof if followed correctly. Thanks to all her advice, I succeeded at my challenge.

The girl who entered the Beach House had finally stepped into her own. I didn’t need my family to bail me out, or my friends to come to my rescue. What I needed was a chance, to be still, and to carefully process how I had become the mess I was. The Beach House was my quiet place. I was becoming the woman God designed me to be.

As I prepared to sign my lease to my apartment and move forward with my life, I couldn’t help but cry. God had taken my season of despair and transformed it into a new beginning. With tears in my eyes, I packed my things acknowledging that I may not have gone where I wanted to go, but I ended up exactly where I needed to be.

This was my story just 9 years ago. I wont pretend that every day, week, month, or year since my residency at the Beach House has been easy. But I never lost sight of the HOPE that Beach House gave me. I never forgot the miracle that occurred in the core of my soul during that time. I never forgot the lessons I learned, the time and energy that were invested in me, and the love I was shown. And these things, along with my faith, family, and friends are what got me through.

I have been blessed to see my the circle of blessings happen due to my connection with LFH. I entered as a resident in Dec 2011, in August 2018 I had the opportunity to become a shelter monitor. Today, May 5, 2020 I am a case manager. None of this would have happened without humility and gratitude.

LFH and its counterparts are the real deal. The staff are a phenomenal group of people who lead with love. Tammy Holder, CEO, is the CHANGE SHE WANTS TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

I always felt like I running late…but I am living, breathing, grateful, humble, hopeful proof…that you always arrive RIGHT ON TIME. I will always send the elevator back down for and bring others up with me. Just as the LFH did for me. FOREVER GRATEFUL!

For Emergency Shelter, Please Call 211

Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-650-HELP to find the help you need. Speak with a real person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a free, anonymous, and confidential service for Toledo Area residents. All potential shelter residents must call 211 to gain entrance into a Toledo Area shelter.

You can also visit Greater Toledo 211 online at 211 Toledo/Lucas County.

Connect with Leading Families Home on social media to see the latest stories from our Participants, Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers!

You can support Leading Families Home by liking or following our accounts, liking and SHARING them on your social media accounts. Invite your contacts to like or follow us, too! Let’s spread the word, and end homelessness in Toledo!

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Leading Families Home is based in Toledo, Ohio. We are dedicated to fighting homelessness in our community – and we’d love your help! Please consider supporting our organization in one of the following ways:

Donate Online

Leading Families Home partners with PayPal for secure online payments. Click  Donate Now  to be taken to the secure donation page.

To donate by check, please make the check out to Leading Families Home.

Mail your check to the following address:

Leading Families Home
2283 Ashland Ave.
Toledo, OH 43604

Other Ways to Donate

When you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.  Learn more about AmazonSmile.

It’s easy to donate with Kroger Community Rewards – just shop at Kroger, and swipe your Plus Card!  Join Kroger Community Rewards.

Every year we have a Match Campaign – an exciting way for you to double your impact. During this campaign, our match partners will match your monetary donation to Leading Families Home.

Match partners also include corporate sponsors who match their employees’ donations. If you’d like to participate, find out if your employer matches employee donations to 501(c)(3) organizations and  contact us.

Do you love to plan events? You can raise donations for LFH by hosting your own event! Have fun and make an impact on our community. Ask for donations instead of birthday gifts or baby shower presents.

A Planned Gift allows you to donate in a very meaningful way. Contact your financial advisor or estate planner to learn more.