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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 11% of children who came to Providence House last year were fleeing domestic violence. It is imperative that parents understand that they can leave a violent relationship and still have a safe place for their children, plus the support to start over. Even when a child is not a direct victim of violence, they can be negatively impacted just by witnessing it. The statistics around the effects of Childhood Domestic Violence are staggering and the sooner children leave a violent environment, the sooner intervention and counseling can occur. Children who experience Childhood Domestic Violence are: - 6x more likely to commit suicide - 50% more likely to abuse drugs or alochol - 74% more likely to commit a violent crime According to UNICEF, the single best predictor of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence later in life is whether or not they grow up in a home where there is domestic violence. At Providence House, our approach ensures children are immediately protected in a home-like environment with participation in sensory-based activities that not only encourage developmental milestone achievement, but also help build social-emotional skills for self-soothing and coping with the effect of traumatic experiences. Parents fleeing domestic violence often leave behind personal items including birth certificates, which are necessary for parents and their children to enroll in day care of school, gain access to Medicaid or health insurance, and have the ability to access certain social services, benefits, and housing programs. Last year, through grant funding, we were able to purchase 16 birth certificates for our families. We are only able to provide birth certificates when we have available funding and estimate that we could be supporting over 60 children and parents through this service if we had the resources to do so. This #WishlistWednesday, your donation of $21.50 will help us purchase a birth certificate to help a family gain access to childcare, cash, food, and medical assistance that will truly enable them to reach their goals of long-term family stability. www.provhouse.org/dvam

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Infant mortality and local impact Cuyahoga County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the United States. In 2015, over 155 babies died before they could reach their first birthday. Some of the leading causes for these deaths were extreme prematurity and preventable sleep-related deaths. Providence House helps ensure Every Child reaches their 1st birthday Parents with infants seek help from Providence House when they are homeless or have unsafe housing, need medical treatment, are having trouble meeting their family's basic needs, or are feeling overwhelmed and do not have support from friends or family to care for their little one. Parents with children up to 10 years old also come to us when they need help during high risk pregnancies, during the delivery of their new addition, or to care for post-pregnancy maternal health problems. Last year, 39 children under one year old stayed at Providence House. Some of these infants were born premature, narcotic weaned, or diagnosed Failure to Thrive, making them even more vulnerable. We also cared for 51 older siblings whose mom had medical or mental health needs, had been assigned bed rest, or needed support when she went to the hospital for delivery. 94% of these children were reunited with their family after mom was able to receive the care and support she needed. How Providence House helped Angela and her family Providence House provided support to Angela, a mom who was five months pregnant and also caring for her three year old son. Her doctor prescribed bedrest after discovering that her unborn child's heart was not developing correctly. To comply with the doctor's recommendations and ensure a healthy pregnancy, Angela had to quit her job, sell her car, and figure out how to still be able to provide for her growing family. After experiencing domestic violence from a former partner, she was also living in a shelter waiting for safe housing to become available. Angela had no other support and reached out to Providence House to care for her son and help her with housing and benefits. During her son's stay, Angela was able to move into public housing, receive cash assistance until she was able to work again, and enroll her son in daycare. She was also able to follow her doctor's bed rest orders and receive the necessary prenatal and maternity care she needed. Angela gave birth to her son at 37 weeks, which was several weeks longer than the doctors expected. Her newborn immediately received surgery to repair his heart valve and is now healthy and thriving. Once discharged from the hospital, Angela was able to reunite with both sons in her new housing. She continues to engage with Providence House in the Aftercare program to receive continued help from a Providence House social worker to enroll her newborn in daycare and secure employment to care for her family. Providence House families share their experiences "My children stayed at Providence House when I couldn't take care of them based on my medical needs and doctors had ordered bed rest. I wish I could return the favor to Providence House. They helped my pregnancy be successful. I thank all the staff and social workers for being here for me and my family. It means more than you would know." "Our personal visits with our child were great and teaching me how to feed him correctly and care for him were the most positive experiences. Thank you for helping me fix my family!"

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On May 24, 2017, Natalie Leek-Nelson, CEO and President of Providence House, testified in front of the Senate Finance: Health and Medicaid Subcommittee to advocate for Crisis Care Facilities in Ohio. Knowing that the average annual cost for each child in foster care is nearly $26,000, Providence House services saved over $8.4 million in foster care costs last year alone.

98% of the children who stayed at Providence House last year were reunited with their parent or guardian after an average length of stay of 25 days, and 92% of families were fully engaged with our recommended support services. Of those, 85% of parents felt their family stability increased after their child's stay in our nurseries.

Read Natalie's full testimony to the Senate Finance: Health and Medicaid Subcommittee here.

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5 years ago today, KaBoom! and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group helped ensure that we had fun and space spaces for the children at PH to play on. As a result of their amazing support, Mayor Frank Jackson designated July 20, 2012 as Let’s Play Day in the City of Cleveland. In honor of that, here’s a reminder to get out there and play!

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In the midst of Ohio’s devastating opioid crisis, the Center for Community Solutions underscored findings from the 2017 PCSAO Factbook to demonstrate the urgent and growing need for a state-wide investment in children’s services.

Providence House has been caring for children of parents struggling with substance abuse since its founding, and Ohio ranks second in the country for number of overdoses related to heroin. In the past five years, we have cared for 59 children whose parents struggled with substance abuse, including alcohol, opioids, and other drugs, and 85% of these children were reunified with their parent or guardian. Learn more about our two-generation approach to stabilizing family crisis and preserving Ohio’s families here.

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On December 6, 2016, Providence House hosted its 21st Annual Deck the House Benefit at First Energy Stadium, the home of the Cleveland Browns. Attendees gathered in support of the our mission to fight child abuse and neglect by protecting at-risk children, empowering families in crisis, and building safer communities for every child. Nearly 700 guests enjoyed holiday entertainment by the North Coast Men’s Chorus, while bidding on more than 200 live and silent auction items. Major prizes included a trip to Antigua, all-inclusive events hosted by Skylight Financial and Crop Bistro, the Cleveland Indians’ owner’s loge at Progressive Field, and a chance to cheer on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas day against the Golden State Warriors.

During the event, Browns’ cornerback Joe Haden (#23) was presented with the Ed Block Courage Award by Gordon Williams; Haden’s teammates nominated him as a role model who embodied inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. Following the award, the Cleveland Browns presented Providence House with a gift of $5,000 to support our work with families in crisis throughout Greater Cleveland.

This year, Deck the House raised a tremendous $163,000. Providence House is truly humbled by the generosity of our Deck the House guests, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and the Cleveland Browns for their continued partnership. Visit the Providence House Facebook page to see more photos of this fantastic holiday event!

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On August 26, 2016 the Providence House PHriends Group hosted its fourth annual “pARTy with PHriends” fundraiser at 78th Street Studios. Over 160 guests enjoyed an evening of art created by the children of Providence House, delicious refreshments, and wine and beer tastings from Market Avenue Wine Bar, Market Garden Brewery and Portside Distillery. Attendees took part in an extensive raffle, which included the PHriends Group’s annual “barrel of booze,” while Clear Choice Photo Booth captured the fun.

We are so grateful to the generous attendees, sponsors, and the PHriends Group members who contributed to over $5,200 to benefit the infants and children of Providence House. Click here to learn more about how our PHriends Group continues to support the Providence House mission.

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This video from Futures Without Violence tells us how both positive and negative experiences can impact a child’s brain, cognitive, and social-emotional development. They suggest a number of healing gestures that adults can use to prevent or reverse damage associated with children’s exposure to violence. These include: 1. Celebrating them with a compliment 2. Comforting them by staying calm and patient 3. Listening to them 4. Collaborating with them by asking their opinions 5. Inspiring them with new ideas Providence House operates within a trauma-informed environment, and our Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioners train all staff members and volunteers to address and alleviate the symptoms of trauma for both our parents and children. Our two-generation approach helps us protect children at-risk of maltreatment, alleviate family crisis, and empower parents in their roles as nurturing caregivers. Learn more about our trauma-informed care here.

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Providence House has been protecting children and empowering families in crisis for more than 35 years. However, over the last three years we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of children and families who need our help. The number of calls to Cuyahoga County’s 696-KIDS hotline to report child abuse and neglect reached nearly 50,000 last year alone, and the need is growing.

Last year, Providence House received 734 inquiries, 398 children qualified, and 326 children from 166 families were admitted into our Crisis and Wellness Nursery Programs for a total of 4,609 days of care – this was our largest client population ever and a 17% increase from the prior year. In just the last three years, Providence House has seen a 110% increase in inquiries for admission and a 70% increase in children’s admissions – and yet, our waiting list continues to grow. We expect to care for more than 400 children from 200+ families in the coming year. There is much more work to be done, but we are grateful that more families are choosing Providence House to help protect their children and stabilize family crisis.

Visit our website to learn more about our plans for the future, and how we help strengthen communities by empowering families in need.

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A recent Huffington Post article entitled “Moms Say, “Don’t Make Policy About Us, Without Us!” outlines an alarming disconnect between policy makers and the low-income families their policies directly impact. Many families fall victim to the “benefit cliff,” or rely on safety net programs, which are often under the threat of cuts. Some of these programs are so difficult to navigate that parents feel they were designed to make them fail – one mother even described the system as her own “Bermuda triangle.” According to the article, surveyed parents expressed a need for policies to invest in families and children. In our 35 year history, Providence House has cared for nearly 8,000 families and children in crisis with an average annual household income of less than $10,000. Over the past three years, we have seen a 110% increase in inquiries for our services. Our families come to us from more than 30 zip codes throughout Greater Cleveland, and are facing a range of crises, including poverty, homelessness, caregiver medical or mental health crisis and domestic violence. To prevent and combat the effects of these crises, we use a two-generation approach to provide support to stabilize the family and further healthy child development. Visit our website to learn more about how we empower families in crisis.

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This summer, some of our friends generously shared their “Lemonade Love” with the babies and children of Providence House by donating the proceeds from their lemonade stands. A little lemonade really does provide a lot of love -- $56 of lemonade love can provide 1 day of meals for our children, $110 of lemonade love can provide 1 day of diapers for our babies, and $149 of lemonade love can provide medical care for one child. We’re so grateful to our friends who shared their “Lemonade Love” with the children of Providence House – any amount makes a difference!

If you’re interested in sharing the love, Providence House provides printable materials for hosting your own lemonade stand here. Or visit our website for other fundraiser ideas to benefit our babies and children.

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A recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that babies born with certain birth defects, like cleft lip and palate and spina bifida, are at increased risk of child maltreatment. These findings suggest child abuse prevention and early intervention programs need to be enhanced to support parents of children with birth defects. At Providence House, we are addressing this need through Elisabeth’s House - The Prentiss Wellness Nursery. The Wellness Nursery provides emergency shelter for up to 10 children at a time who have medical needs and whose families are in crisis. We ensure children’s safety and wellness while also addressing deeper root causes of family instability that may result in poor medical and developmental outcomes for children, and possibly abuse or neglect. Parents receive onsite counseling, parent education and support, and referrals to community resources for housing, treatment, and other services. This helps create a safe, stable home and parents who are skilled in managing their child’s medical needs long-term.

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On July 7, 2016, Cody and Mallory Allen, Bryan and Kristen Shaw, and the Cleveland Indians dedicated a new turf wiffle ball field to the babies and children of Providence House. Along with the Indians, Allen and Shaw partnered with the Motz group for the construction of the field, which is now nestled in Providence House’s backyard between a sensory garden, a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball court, and a KaBOOM! playground.

Providence House has been very fortunate to be supported by Cleveland’s sports teams; in addition to a donated Cleveland Cavaliers basketball court, the Cleveland Browns also renovated and outfitted a kids’ activity room inside the crisis nursery. When Allen and Shaw visited Providence House last fall and noticed an absence of an Indians space, they got to work. Just a few short months later, the children and babies of Providence House have an incredible play area they will benefit from for many years to come. After the field’s unveiling, the Indians pitchers pitched wiffle balls to the kids and tested out running the bases. Along with the field itself, Allen, Shaw and the Indians donated a wide assortment of kid-geared sports equipment so that the field can function as a multi-use outdoor space for the children.

We are so grateful for this generous and fun addition to the Providence House campus. Let’s play ball!

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In October 2014, Natalie Leek-Nelson, Providence House President and CEO, presented on the Benefit Cliff and how it affects our clients. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, in Cleveland, 31% of households are below the Federal Poverty Line and 42% of women 18-34 years old are living in poverty. Additionally, 48% of female headed households are below the Federal Poverty Line compared to 18% of women with no children. For Tunisia (mom of two children) and Sondra (mom of four children), as they were able to earn more, they fell victim of the Benefit Cliff and saw many of the vouchers and supports that were helping their families disappear. Rather than becoming more stable, they found themselves in crisis and sought help from Providence House. Even at Cleveland’s median income of $34,282, families already stop qualifying for important benefits. Once they reach over 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, the safety net has vanished and many families find themselves in crisis. For 30% of poor children, their caregiver has a job, but the conditions of low-wage work make it difficult to be self-sufficient and can interfere with parenting. Parent and child well-being are closely linked and both generations need simultaneous supports. For parents, this translates to access to education, better jobs, pay, and benefits including extended assistance to bridge benefits gaps while moving out of poverty. For children, this requires early intervention, quality child care and education. At Providence House, we use a two-generation approach to provide support to stabilize the family and further healthy child development.

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On April 22, 2016, Providence House celebrated its 35th Birthday at the “Launch to 40 Luncheon,” presented by the Catanzarite Foundation at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. The event outlined the organization’s accomplishments, shared “a day in the life” of a child served by Providence House, and launched plans for the agency’s vision and growth over the next five years. Hundreds of guests gathered to show their support for child abuse prevention, and to honor the selfless volunteers, community leaders, and corporate partners who make the work of Providence House possible. This year we celebrated the service of Daisy Lopez, our very first childcare staff member, who retired after providing 31 years of care to the babies and children of Providence House. We also recognized the partnerships and dedication of three “Every Child” honorees, including Joe Cimperman, Forest City Enterprises, and Saint Joseph Academy. The “Launch to 40 Luncheon” raised over $113,700 to support the our mission of ending child abuse and neglect by protecting at-risk children, empowering families in crisis, and building safer communities for every child. We are so grateful for and humbled by the continued generosity of our partners and supporters!

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On April 12th and 13th, and for the second consecutive year, Mike Trivisonno and the WTAM 1100 AM team generously supported Providence House by hosting a "Fill the Truck" event in front of the iHeart Radio studios in Independence. The community was invited to drop off donations from the Providence House "Wish List." Donations ranged from household items, to food, diapers and much-needed children’s clothing. Needless to say, the event was a tremendous success and continues to benefit the 300 children who call Providence House home each year. We are grateful to Mike Trivisonno, the WTAM 1100 team, and all of the generous donors who supported this fantastic event. Thank you for helping us fill the truck -- the pictures speak for themselves!

Photo Credit: Newsradio WTAM 1100

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Recently, the children at Providence House had a pizza themed weekend. First, they set up a pizza shop and made their own felt pizzas. Later, they went on a field trip to a pizza restaurant to taste the real thing!