From Shelter to Stability: Ron Ranallo on LFH’s Continuum of Care
November 18, 2025
From Shelter to Stability: Ron Ranallo on LFH’s Continuum of Care
For more than a decade, Ron Ranallo has helped shape the mission and impact of Leading Families Home. His involvement began long before the organization was known by its current name. He served on the board of FOCUS and later supported the transition when FOCUS merged with Beach House in 2016. The merger was not simply a structural change. It allowed families experiencing homelessness to access multiple forms of support under one roof.
“I have been part of this organization through five executive directors and a lot of change, but the mission has never shifted,” Ron said. “We are here to end homelessness, or at least significantly reduce it, and we are doing the work every day.”
A Personal Call to Serve
Ron’s path to LFH began during his career at Owens Corning, where he was asked to lead the company’s United Way initiative. He spent years engaging with local nonprofits, learning about community needs, and seeing firsthand how many families in Northwest Ohio were struggling. That experience permanently changed his perspective.
“Once you understand the reality of homelessness in our community, you cannot unsee it,” he said. “It became clear this was something I needed to give my time to.”
He later joined the board of the Aurora Project at the request of a colleague, which eventually led to his involvement with FOCUS and then Leading Families Home. Today, he serves as treasurer and a member of the finance committee.
Why LFH’s Model Works
Ron believes the heart of LFH is its continuum of care. The organization doesn’t only offer shelter. It provides a path to stability, with wraparound services designed to help families rebuild and remain housed.
“We do not just give someone a bed and send them back into the world,” Ron said. “We stabilize families. We subsidize rent. We make sure children can stay in the same schools. Parents receive employment coaching and support. It’s about long-term success, not a temporary solution.”
Much of that work depends on experienced case managers and social workers who guide families through the process. Many have been with LFH for years, offering consistency and compassionate care.
“They are the heart of this organization,” he said. “These are high-stress jobs, and the people who stay do it because they are called to this work. They believe in the mission.”
Breaking the Cycle for Children
If you were to ask Ron about LFH, he would return again and again to one point: the children experiencing homelessness. He would emphasize that when a family loses housing, the instability affects everything from education to emotional development.
“No child chooses homelessness,” he said. “It is traumatic for adults and even more traumatic for children. When you provide stability, counseling, and a chance to stay in school, that is how you break the cycle. You give children a chance.”
To Ron, that is where LFH makes its most meaningful impact. Housing is not the finish line. It is the foundation that allows families to rebuild.
Stories of Transformation
Some of the most powerful moments for Ron come from hearing directly from families who have gone through LFH programs. During fundraising events, former residents often share their stories of navigating crisis, finding stability, and rebuilding their lives.
“These success stories are tragic, but also inspiring,” he said. “No two stories are the same, other than they ended up in a shelter. Hearing how far they have come is incredibly powerful.”
One story stays with him. A former Beach House resident, who spent time in the shelter as a child, is now a business professional serving on the LFH board.
“His story is full-circle,” Ron said. “He is successful, he is giving back, and it all started with the stability his family found here.”
Homelessness is a Serious Community Issue That Requires Community Action
Although LFH has made tremendous strides, Ron believes the scale of homelessness is far larger than most people realize. Hundreds of families in Northwest Ohio are currently unhoused, and that number is significantly underreported.
“I wish more people understood the magnitude,” he said. “It is a gigantic number, and it is growing.”
Ron believes the community can do better by working more collaboratively. Rather than many organizations working separately, he believes there should be more partnerships, shared resources, and streamlined services.
“There needs to be more collaboration and fewer silos,” he said. “It is more efficient for donors and more effective for families.”
Funding is another challenge, especially because nonprofits often receive grants through reimbursement-only models. The organization spends the money first, then waits to get it back. Ron sees unrestricted funding as essential to sustainability.
“Unrestricted funding is critical,” he said. “It allows an organization to make strategic decisions and run its operations without waiting for reimbursement.”
Why Volunteers Matter
While financial support is important, Ron believes volunteering changes the way people see homelessness. It gives community members a firsthand understanding of who is being served and what they are overcoming.
“When you volunteer, even for a short time, it becomes personal,” he said. “You see what is happening behind the curtain, and that is what hooks people. That is what hooked me.”
Ron encourages anyone looking for purpose or connection to get involved. LFH offers opportunities for short-term, long-term, and group volunteering, all of which make a difference.
Looking Ahead
LFH is preparing for major growth as it acquires Family House and expands its capacity. This includes additional housing units, more behavioral health support, and a broader range of services designed to keep families stable long after they leave shelter.
“That is the future,” he said. “Comprehensive services, continuity of care, and collaboration. We are moving in that direction, and it gives me hope.”
After ten years of service, Ron remains committed, both personally and financially, to the mission.
“I am proud of what we have built, and I am proud of the families who have worked so hard to rebuild their lives,” he said. “Ending homelessness is a big goal, and we cannot do it alone. But every family that finds stability is proof the mission matters. And that is what keeps me here.”
For Carla Prenkert, founder and director of Build the Children , supporting families in need has always been about more than providing necessities. It is about helping people feel seen, supported and capable of building a better future for themselves and their children. Her connection to Leading Families Home began in 2020 through a school supply and essentials drive supporting families staying at the organization’s Beach House shelter on Erie Street. After hearing about the shelter through an acquaintance who worked as a social worker, Prenkert decided to learn more about the organization and its mission. “That experience really tugged at my heart,” Prenkert said. “I immediately saw how important their work was and how committed they were to helping families move forward.” What began as a simple introduction quickly grew into an ongoing partnership centered around helping families experiencing homelessness find stability and hope. More Than Temporary Shelter According to Prenkert, what sets Leading Families Home apart is its focus on long-term success rather than short-term solutions. The organization’s approach helps families build the foundation for independence by offering guidance, resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives. “They don’t just provide shelter,” she said. “They provide life-changing support.” Over the years, Prenkert has witnessed countless examples of transformation among families served by Leading Families Home. “I’ve seen young mothers earn their GEDs, parents regain custody of their children and fathers complete job training programs and find stable work,” Prenkert said. “They help people rediscover their confidence and realize they are capable of more.” She also praised the organization’s ongoing support for families after they transition out of shelter programs. “They continue to be a resource long after families leave,” she said. “That continued support is incredibly important because stability doesn’t happen overnight.” Changing Perspectives on Homelessness Prenkert believes one of the biggest misconceptions about homelessness is the idea that it could never happen to the average person. “No one is immune,” she said. “A series of unfortunate events, rising housing costs, low wages and exhausted resources can put families in very difficult situations.” She explained that many families also face barriers the public often doesn’t see, including challenges related to documentation, paperwork, finances and prejudice. As a retired nurse with more than 40 years of experience, Prenkert said partnering with Leading Families Home has deepened her understanding of the realities families face and changed her own perspective. “This work educated me and removed any prejudice I may have had,” she said. “I’ve witnessed the power of making people feel seen, valued and supported.” She added that families cannot begin healing or planning for the future while focused solely on survival. “People can’t truly move forward until they’re in a place where they can finally breathe,” Prenkert said. Strengthening the Community Together Prenkert also credits Leading Families Home with helping strengthen collaboration among nonprofit organizations throughout the Toledo community. “They do an amazing job making the needs of families experiencing homelessness known and helping organizations understand how they can help,” she said. She explained that the partnership has also helped Build the Children better understand the specific needs of children and families living in shelters, allowing the organization to provide more meaningful support. For Prenkert, one of the most fulfilling parts of the partnership has been the opportunity to bring joy and encouragement to families during difficult times. “Leading Families Home creates the foundation that allows families to move beyond basic survival,” she said. “That gives organizations like ours the opportunity to come alongside them and provide moments of joy, love and hope.” Looking Ahead As Leading Families Home continues its mission, Prenkert hopes to see even more people step forward to support the organization and the families it serves. “It takes a community to make this happen,” she said. “There is no ‘we’ and ‘they.’ We all have a responsibility to help each other.” When asked why Leading Families Home’s work matters, Prenkert’s answer was simple. “It comes down to basic morality and humanity,” she said. “Most people would do better if they were given the opportunity and support to succeed.”
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