Ohio is one of 28 states where childcare can amount to the equivalent of in-state college tuition. Let that sink in for a second. Individuals right here in our community are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, keep the utilities on, purchase...
Best of 2019: Because Change Doesn’t Happen Alone
We have come to the close of an impactful year! Thousands of needs were met through 211 calls, meal and hygiene kit builds, backpack builds, our funded partners’ unique services and so much more! Read on for stories that highlight...
Necessity vs. Commodity: The Struggle for a Child to have Enough to Eat
When first attending college, I was asked whether I was a one, two, or three meals-a-day “kind of person.” This was to correctly match me with the proper meal plan being offered. After getting a brochure about the various levels,...
Eating the Rainbow: A Culinary Adventure to a Healthier Lifestyle
“Whoa, what is that green stuff you’re eating?” Olivia asked her classmate, Jaime, as they sat down to begin eating lunch. “These are called ‘snap peas’,” Jamie stated, “I learned about them during my cooking classes.” “Oh. What...
Down, Never Out: Finding a Path that Leads Away from Rock Bottom
I sat across the table from the woman I’d been called in for. “Her name is Nikki,” my contact had told me over the phone. “She’s dealing with some tough times, not too dissimilar from you a year ago....
A Flood of Memories: Surrounded by Support During Times of Disaster
I woke in the middle of the night to the sound of rain pounding the roof and was glad Stan had fixed the leak last month. I looked to the clock on my nightstand, but its face was dark. “Stan,” I whispered. “I...
Counting the Days: A New Year, A New Home
It was a tradition. Every year at the end of December, I spent a few extra dollars for a new calendar. I’d pin it to our kitchen wall for the entire family to see. We marked birthdays, holidays, our work schedules—everything—on the...
Reflections on Gratitude and Humility: One Advocate’s Journey
We are often asked, “What’s a typical day like at The Cocoon?” We smile, unable to capture the complex experiences we have gained by responding, “There is no typical day, you never know what each day will bring.” There are days that the...
Tax Time: Keeping Your Full Refund
Even if you don’t own a calendar, you know when it’s tax season. From the do-it-yourself tax filing software commercials on television, to the sign-flipping mascots on street corners promoting seasonal pop-up shops. The “it’s tax time!” catchphrase echoes across the country...
Finding Tomorrow: The Long Road To Financial Freedom
I’ve always dreamed of owning my own home. Yet, each month, around the time my bills are due, I get the same trapped feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve been dealing with this anxiety since I was 18, when I...