Providence House provides services and programs to families in crisis
We all want our babies and children to be safe, but sometimes life gets in the way. Providence House is dedicated to helping them be safe while their families are experiencing a crisis. Since 1981, the organization, founded by Sister Hope Greener, offers emergency shelter to newborns through 12 years of age and meet parents or guardians where they are and guides them toward solutions. They provide the necessary programs, services, and resources aimed at protecting at-risk children, thus strengthening communities to battle child poverty, abuse and neglect.
“I was fortunate to have volunteered here as a student and was able to see the amazing growth through the years, with Sister Hope by my side,” says Natalie A. Leek, Providence House president and CEO. “There are a number of reasons families come to us, and while only children stay with us, we give needed assistance to the families to help them in their crisis.”
This can be anything from homelessness to unsafe housing situations, such as heat or water being turned off, or pending rental eviction. “And sometimes it’s simply a parent with no one to keep their children safe while receiving medical care,” Leek adds. “The majority of families that come to us lack the needed resources to keep their kids safe and that’s what we’re here for.”
With 30 years’ experience in nonprofit and corporate environments as a teacher, director, and marketing professional, Leek has been the company’s leader since 2001.
Like many nonprofits, the organization started out small, in just a three-room house on West 44th Street. Within a year, the shelter moved to West 32nd Street in Ohio City, at first serving just five infants and toddlers at a time. That site remains its main campus today, which serves 30 children at a time—20 children in Leo’s House, their traditional crisis nursery, and 10 children in Elisabeth’s House, the pediatric crisis nursery for children with medical needs. In 2024 they cared for a total of 170 children. And now they will be able to help an additional 250 children, thanks to an added location on the east side. In February, Providence House opened a new crisis nursery on the corner of Buckeye Road and E. 118th Street.
The expansion was due to the increasing need for families on the east side, as well as Lake and Geauga counties, allowing the facility to expand their services. They do not have a boundary for service, and have served families in 37 zip codes in Ohio.
“We are only one of two organizations that fill this kind of need in all of Cuyahoga County, the other being Blessing House,” Leek says. “We have a large waiting list and we’re hoping to reduce that.”
Despite the wait list, there is always someone available to guide a family in crisis. Anyone can get assistance by phone. “All they have to do is call our number, and they will get immediate support over the phone,” Leek says. “However, I would say about 80% of those who reach out are through referrals. We work with over 100 other agencies to get them the help they need and partner with counties all around us who are able to provide the needed assistance.”
Crisis nursery approach
The award-winning Providence House provides children with a warm, safe, home-like environment while connecting families to community organizations that provide family support. Children receive free shelter, personal necessities, medical and loving care from the professionally-trained staff. Their multi-generational approach has been proven to effectively prevent child abuse and neglect and reunite families with greater strength and stability.
“We layer in family support with child advocates who will understand their personal situation and work with them individually to get the help they need,” adds Leek, “this can be anything from assisting in improved housing, parenting skills or help with addiction, sobriety, or mental health issues.”
In addition to speech and hearing therapies, physical, developmental, and emotional therapies are provided on-site by licensed qualified professionals, if needed. The ultimate goal is long-term self-sufficiency. The agency has served more than 8,000 families through their decades of service.
“My greatest satisfaction in my job,” Leek says, “is what I call the ‘ring the bell moment’ when Mom and Dad get to take their children home.”
How you can help
Volunteer: Providence House has multiple ways for you to get involved. Volunteers are welcome and needed for childcare, done-in-a-day projects, special events (their three major events are listed below) and their PHriends Group where young professionals help raise awareness and funds for Providence House!
Donations: If your schedule doesn't allow for you to volunteer, there are several ways you can donate including:
“I was fortunate to have volunteered here as a student and was able to see the amazing growth through the years, with Sister Hope by my side,” says Natalie A. Leek, Providence House president and CEO. “There are a number of reasons families come to us, and while only children stay with us, we give needed assistance to the families to help them in their crisis.”
This can be anything from homelessness to unsafe housing situations, such as heat or water being turned off, or pending rental eviction. “And sometimes it’s simply a parent with no one to keep their children safe while receiving medical care,” Leek adds. “The majority of families that come to us lack the needed resources to keep their kids safe and that’s what we’re here for.”
With 30 years’ experience in nonprofit and corporate environments as a teacher, director, and marketing professional, Leek has been the company’s leader since 2001.
Like many nonprofits, the organization started out small, in just a three-room house on West 44th Street. Within a year, the shelter moved to West 32nd Street in Ohio City, at first serving just five infants and toddlers at a time. That site remains its main campus today, which serves 30 children at a time—20 children in Leo’s House, their traditional crisis nursery, and 10 children in Elisabeth’s House, the pediatric crisis nursery for children with medical needs. In 2024 they cared for a total of 170 children. And now they will be able to help an additional 250 children, thanks to an added location on the east side. In February, Providence House opened a new crisis nursery on the corner of Buckeye Road and E. 118th Street.
The expansion was due to the increasing need for families on the east side, as well as Lake and Geauga counties, allowing the facility to expand their services. They do not have a boundary for service, and have served families in 37 zip codes in Ohio.
“We are only one of two organizations that fill this kind of need in all of Cuyahoga County, the other being Blessing House,” Leek says. “We have a large waiting list and we’re hoping to reduce that.”
Despite the wait list, there is always someone available to guide a family in crisis. Anyone can get assistance by phone. “All they have to do is call our number, and they will get immediate support over the phone,” Leek says. “However, I would say about 80% of those who reach out are through referrals. We work with over 100 other agencies to get them the help they need and partner with counties all around us who are able to provide the needed assistance.”
Crisis nursery approach
The award-winning Providence House provides children with a warm, safe, home-like environment while connecting families to community organizations that provide family support. Children receive free shelter, personal necessities, medical and loving care from the professionally-trained staff. Their multi-generational approach has been proven to effectively prevent child abuse and neglect and reunite families with greater strength and stability.
“We layer in family support with child advocates who will understand their personal situation and work with them individually to get the help they need,” adds Leek, “this can be anything from assisting in improved housing, parenting skills or help with addiction, sobriety, or mental health issues.”
In addition to speech and hearing therapies, physical, developmental, and emotional therapies are provided on-site by licensed qualified professionals, if needed. The ultimate goal is long-term self-sufficiency. The agency has served more than 8,000 families through their decades of service.
“My greatest satisfaction in my job,” Leek says, “is what I call the ‘ring the bell moment’ when Mom and Dad get to take their children home.”
How you can help
Volunteer: Providence House has multiple ways for you to get involved. Volunteers are welcome and needed for childcare, done-in-a-day projects, special events (their three major events are listed below) and their PHriends Group where young professionals help raise awareness and funds for Providence House!
Donations: If your schedule doesn't allow for you to volunteer, there are several ways you can donate including:
- Monetary donations (which can be done through their website).
- Donation of NEW items including Uber and Lyft gift cards, children's clothing, diapers, toys for ages 6–12 and much more. A complete list is on their website.
- 44th Annual Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Westin Cleveland Downtown. Your ticket includes lunch, parking and a guest gift and donation to Providence House.
- Join the Providence House Board of Directors for the 2025 Providence House Charity Classic, which will be at the Barrington Golf Club in Aurora on Monday, August 18, at 11:00 a.m. This event is one of their most popular fundraisers to support their ongoing mission to help children and their families.
- The Deck the House benefit auction is another widely anticipated fundraiser that takes place every December and is a great way to spend the holidays by giving back. This annual event features celebrity hosts and guests. Information for 2025 to be announced at a later date.
- If you are unable to attend these events, Providence House always welcomes donations.
For more information, call (216) 651-5982, or see www.provhouse.org. Be sure to read their success stories! (read one below.)
Success Story
~Article by Deanna Adams | ~Photo credits: Providence HouseSuccess Story
Destiny reached out to Providence House after her teenage son, Michael, was assaulted by their neighbor.
She needed to move her family somewhere safe and help Michael through his traumatic experience.
Since all of the family shelters were full, Destiny brought her younger children to stay in the safe, loving environment of our Crisis Nursery while she worked to find a new home for her family.
While Destiny’s younger children were safe and cared for at Providence House, our social work team helped refer Michael to support services, including connecting him with the Children Who Witness Violence Program.
With the support of Providence House, Destiny secured a safe, new home for her family, and our social work team referred her to our friends at Humble Design who helped furnish it!
When her family reunited, Destiny told us, “I am very appreciative for all the help and support from Providence House and cannot thank them enough.
At times, I felt like there was no hope, but Nora (her Providence House social worker) always spoke positively, listened, and helped me get through things that my family and I endured. I am forever grateful.”