Wood County Agency Shelters Survivors of Domestic Violence

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September 22, 2021

For many survivors of domestic violence, calling The Cocoon’s 24/7 crisis hotline to speak with an advocate is the first step toward escaping an abusive situation.

Wood County’s comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency provides emergency shelter and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, stalking and sexual harassment, and supports adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

“We typically say to folks, ‘we’re really your best, first stop, because either we will be able to provide the services that you’re looking for, or we can make the connections to the people in the community who can,’” says Kathy Mull, executive director of The Cocoon.

The Cocoon responds to an average of 6,000 calls and serves more than 700 survivors and their children annually. While the agency is perhaps best known for its emergency shelter, Mull says about 90 percent of its clients live and work in the community.

Services are provided at no cost and include crisis support, safety planning, legal and medical advocacy, financial empowerment and support groups. The Cocoon also shares items such as food, clothing and personal care products with survivors as needed.

Renovations at The Cocoon over the past several years allowed for the creation of a dedicated children’s room in the emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
Photo courtesy of The Cocoon

Recognizing a need

Prior to The Cocoon’s founding in 2005, there was no domestic violence shelter in Wood County. A grassroots initiative to build a shelter began in 2000, and then the county saw four domestic violence homicides within as many years. “That was really the catalyst to say, ok — we have got to do something, and we need to do it now,” says Mull. “And that’s what allowed us to be able to get our doors open.”

Since its inception, Mull says the shelter has almost always operated at capacity.

The Cocoon serves all survivors, including single men and women, and parents with children. It also has the unique ability to house family pets such as cats and dogs.

“It takes a lot of strength and courage to take that first step to say, ‘I’ve got to leave this situation because it’s not safe for me,’” says Mull. Survivors entering emergency shelter may fear what their partner will do in response, and worry about what the move will mean for their children. Most come with few belongings and have limited access to finances. If they are working, it might not be safe for them to return to their job.

Survivors are usually exhausted, faced with many stressors and decisions to make as they work to rebuild their lives. “Our goal is really to try to make that transition as smooth as possible for them,” says Mull.

The average stay at The Cocoon is 57 days, though the shelter can house clients for up to 90 days. Shelter advocates work closely with survivors during that time to help them set goals. After they transition out of shelter, clients continue to receive support and services for as long as they need from the agency.

Services of site and in the community

Mull says The Cocoon is fortunate to receive strong financial support from the local community in addition to grants through several federal and state programs that make its work possible.

With the assistance of Ohio Capital Budget dollars, the agency renovated a building it purchased to double the capacity of the emergency shelter from 12 to 24 beds in 2017. Space was also created in this new location to provide holistic support for survivors including on-site counseling and group programming.

For fiscal year 2021-2022, the agency received a $200,000 award through the Ohio Capital Budget that will provide seed funding for the third and final phase of this major building renovation project.

Phase III will create dedicated program space for families that are not staying in the shelter, according to Mull. Plans include construction of private advocacy meeting space, a multi-purpose training room, designated reception area and additional security features. “It will allow us to maximize the community-based programming that we can provide for families,” says Mull. The hope is to complete this phase by 2022, and plans are underway to raise additional dollars through a private fundraising campaign.

While staff members are excited about providing more services on site, Mull adds they will always be willing to travel to meet those who lack transportation to the agency in Bowling Green. “We will still continue to provide what we call mobile advocacy, which is meeting people out in the community if they can’t get to us,” says Mull.

To learn more about The Cocoon, visit www.thecocoon.org or call 419-373-1730. If you or someone you know is in need of services, call 419-373-1730, and select option #2 to be connected to an advocate 24/7.

Kids Astrology: Libra

By

Kimmie

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September 22, 2021

Sept. 23 – Oct. 22

Your bright eyed Libra child is really needing some alone time, longing to meet their own inner voice, no matter what age they are! The only possible roadblock is the one gift and curse that they came into this world with — their ability to sense the vibrations of other people. If you do not allow them to express themselves, they may bottle everything up. Because of their people-pleasing nature, they have a hard time balancing their need to help others with a desire for their own time.

Because they are in a daydream mode and want to feel needed, they have a way of disappearing so there is no conflict. They will practice finding their balance this month, but their naturally overactive minds and tendency to focus on perfection and order can bring them anxiety. Let them learn to find their balance now so an obsession with orderliness doesn’t carry into their adult life. Remember to give them some reflection space. There are so many positives for Libra children this time of year that you will enjoy watching them grow into their own little individuals who still love to spend time with you!

Children or Pets? Making the Right Decision for You

By

Digital Media

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September 21, 2021

By Porch

Despite the challenges and sacrifices of being a parent, raising children has plenty of advantages. In addition to the love and important life lessons that come with caring for another human, research suggests you may even live longer when you have children.

Similarly, pets can provide unconditional companionship, opportunities for exercise, and a major buffer against stress. Not to mention all of the cute photo opportunities you’ll capture along the way.

For some families, kids and pets go hand in hand. But what if you had to pick one? What if you could have children at home, but no pet? Or the reverse — as many pets as you want, but no children? How would those choices impact your home and relationships? With those questions in mind, we surveyed over 1,000 people about their preference for children or pets.

Pick and Choose

Possibly due to the cost of living, a desire to focus on relationships or careers, or finding fulfillment elsewhere, the average birth rate in the U.S. continues to decline.

When asked to make a hypothetical decision between having kids or owning pets, nearly 1 in 3 respondents chose to have as many pets as they wanted but never have children. In addition to the nearly 3 percent of people who didn’t want children or pets, roughly 62 percent opted for a future with children that could never include a pet.

However, nearly 1 in 4 people with both furry and human children confessed their pets liked them more than their children, while 1 in 10 parents admitted to giving away a pet after having a child.

Long-Term Commitments

There’s plenty to think about when you’re buying a home. In addition to the overall cost and monthly mortgage payments, you should consider your professional aspirations, commute time, and the amount of space you might need in the future.

Whether you’re a pet parent or a human parent, your “children” are an important consideration in the homebuying process, as well. Almost 62 percent of people wanting children would choose a home based on their future plans. Those wanting a pet had a similar perspective, with 59 percent choosing a home based on their plans. Meanwhile, millennials (61 percent) were more likely than Gen Xers (57 percent) and baby boomers (about 48 percent) to consider their future family or pets when choosing a home.

While Americans wanting children were primarily concerned with neighborhood safety (nearly 75 percent) and the number of rooms (73 percent), future pet parents deemed pet policies (70 percent) and yard space (68 percent) as the most important considerations.

Additionally, nearly 40 percent of people without pets wouldn’t buy or rent a home that didn’t allow pets. And more than 4 in 5 respondents with pets would sell their homes if the rules allowing pets changed.

Expanding Your Space

If you’re committed to loving the home you’re in, you might renovate to accommodate your growing family.

When asked about home modifications, 2 in 5 pet parents had created a room or space for their animals. Pet parents also added or removed carpet (31 percent), as well as adding a dog house (21 percent) and doggy door (20 percent). In contrast, parents designated a playspace for their children (57 percent), created a room for their kids (over 53 percent), and added child locks (46 percent).

Some experts argue against a dedicated playroom, however. Dedicated rooms can mean more places for toys to be stashed and forgotten, isolation, and missed opportunities for more functional spaces (like an art studio or gym).

Making Sacrifices

Having an extended family, of any variety, doesn’t just impact your life at home. From the time you take off to recover from childbirth to the attitude toward children at work, becoming a parent can be a rollercoaster ride professionally speaking.

More than half of parents turned down a job because of their children or quit a job for the same reason. Sixty percent of parents even called out sick to stay home with their children, while 44 percent avoided going out with co-workers, and a third turned down a job offer because they wanted to spend more time with their family.

As for pet parents, nearly 1 in 4 called out sick to stay home with their animals, and more than 1 in 5 avoided going out with co-workers because of their pets. Thirteen percent of people with pets also didn’t accept a job or quit their job because of their pets.

All or Nothing

Not every relationship will work out. Sometimes, people just aren’t compatible or discover they want different things in life. For some couples, that includes how their spouse or partner treats their pets.

A majority (78 percent) of people would break up or divorce someone who treated their pets poorly, including 68 percent of married people and 87 percent of people in a relationship. And while relationships are often about compromising, pets aren’t always up for negotiation. More than 1 in 3 people would break up or divorce someone who didn’t like their pet, including 30 percent of married people and 46 percent of those in a relationship.

Leaps and Bounds

Even though they can’t tell you they love you back or thank you for everything you do for them, 91 percent of people believed their pet is family, with 29 percent of people saying they’d spend their life savings to save a pet’s life, and 41 percent preferring a pet rather than a best friend.

So how far will people go for their families—human and animal alike? Forty-four percent of pet parents would start an online fundraiser to save their animals, while 37 percent would dedicate an entire room or section of the house to their pets, and 32 percent would get their pet personalized furniture.

In contrast, 93 percent of parents said they would sacrifice themselves to save their children, and 89 percent would spend their life savings if necessary. More than 4 in 5 parents would dedicate an entire room or section of their house to their children, followed by those willing to buy electronics for their children.

The Perfect Space

In the real world, you typically don’t have to decide between kids and pets. Still, you may decide that you’re more inclined toward one over the other and make sacrifices for your family—furry or not. While it was more common for parents of children to dedicate money, space, and even their job to their family, some pet parents were willing to go just as far.

At Porch, we want your home to work for your family, no matter what your family looks like. Whether that means moving into a new space or finding ways to modify the home you’re in, Porch is your pro for everyday home projects. With instant booking and our satisfaction promise, we know you’ll love the work we do. Learn more by visiting Porch and book a professional in your area today.

Methodology

For this project, we surveyed 1,009 respondents through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk survey platform. Survey respondents were aged 18 to 80, with a median age of 39.

Respondents by gender:

51% were female
49% were male

Respondents by pets or children:

43% had pets but no children
39% had both children and pets
8% had children but no pets
9% had no children or pets

Limitations: There are many problems with self-reported surveys. Some of these issues include but are not limited to selective memory, exaggeration, and or lying. To account for this, respondents who did not correctly answer an attention-check question were excluded from the results.

New Family-Friendly Local Businesses

By

Toledo Parent Staff

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September 20, 2021

pexels-amina-filkins-5414061 — Photo by Amina Filkins

Explore STEM education

Toledo now has a new STEM charter school with the opening of Explorers Academy of Science and Technology at 1850 Airport Hwy., near St. Charles Catholic Church. The tuition-free school can enroll 300 kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Explorers Academy began its first year of classes on August 27. Learn more about their mission and future enrollment opportunities at explorersacademyst.com. —Jeff McGinnis

Good eats at Baba’s

Looking for local cuisine off the beaten path? If you want a bite of unique eats, seek out Baba’s Eats, the Toledo area’s first Middle Eastern Taco food truck. Putting an unexpected twist on a few classic flavors, the truck offers vegetarian options as well. Find where they’ll be each week at facebook.com/babaseats419. —Jeff McGinnis

Artful beauty boutique

When Jess de la Mer and Elysian Beauty Bar combined forces, Iris Beauty Bar & Boutique was born. The Boutique (located at 2712 W. Sylvania Ave.) is a salon offering manicures and pedicures, hairstyles and cuts, makeup, lashes and more, but it is also a venue for local art and products. Treat yourself to their services by calling 419-490-6590 or visiting www.facebook.com/irisbeautybarandboutique. —Erin Holden

Books on the move
People Called Women recently opened a mobile bookstore that travels to festivals, parades and more to bring their mission directly to readers. As one of only 11 feminist bookstores in the country, they sell empowering books, postcards, t-shirts, and other related merchandise. The mobile store can come to any gathering to spread the joy of reading; the owner calls the bookstore a “food truck for your mind.” Contact People Called Women to invite them to an event or to visit a specific neighborhood by calling 419-787-0008 or follow them on social media. —Alexandra Bugaj

Building alliances

Through a grant from the Toledo Community Foundation, the Strategic Alliance Partnership—a collaboration among the Sylvania Arts Commission, Sylvania Recreation Corporation, and Sylvania STEM Center—will work together to create new community spaces, benefits, and opportunities for Sylvania. The Strategic Alliance Partnership, an umbrella of organizations, will innovatively facilitate the arts, athletics, and sciences with a focus on community engagement and recreational activities. On the agenda is a Multigenerational Community Center which will offer a makerspace, space for robotics teams, classrooms, a community theater, field house, lap pool, family pool, community spaces and more. —Evan Laslo

What’s Briefly Happening in Toledo: Fall 2021

By

Toledo Parent Staff

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September 19, 2021

man-791440_1920 — Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Climate Change: A Family Conversation
Imagination Station is facilitating an important dialogue with their video,“Climate Change: A Family Conversation,” which is now available on the organization’s Youtube channel. This video is an opportunity for parents to open up the topic of climate change with their children, as well as how they and their children can make a difference in saving the planet.

The video features children posing questions to Raghav and Dr. Kimberley Rain Miner, a climate scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, both of whom speak about the effects that are going to come in our lifetime if change is not made. “All over the world, you can see these changes happening. But the difference is that it’s happening in our life as opposed to these really long time periods, like thousands of years, which is the time frames that we have come to expect for Earth’s changes,” Dr. Miner explained. ―Kiera Jacobs

Join the squad

Mermaid Squad is the newest book series by Sherelle Gaston, a Toledo author whose goal is to teach children important values while furthering diverse representation in children’s books. Sherelle is a wife and mother of two, and her time working in children’s ministry inspired her to create books about people and prophets of the Bible that represent children today. From there, she started creating several of her own children’s book series’ to teach children the importance of God. Mermaid Squad and its coloring book counterpart are both out now, and the first 100 orders will receive a special gift with purchase. Her various other books can be found on Amazon. For more insight on Sherelle’s work, search “The Greatest In the Kingdom” on both Instagram and Facebook. ―Kiera Jacobs

Child Tax Credit Update
Thanks to the 2021 Child Tax Credit, a provision added as part of the American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief, anyone with a child under 18 years of age is eligible for monthly payments (totaling up to $3,000 annually for each child ages 7-18 and $3,600 annually for each child six and under). But what if you have given birth or are due to have a child in 2021? Don’t worry, you will still receive these funds. Here’s how it works: In late September, you will be able to note that you had a child this year at the irs.gov child tax credit portal. However, if you are due to give birth later this year, you won’t be able to add your child until they are born. I know, it’s complicated.

Rest assured, even if you don’t take this step to receive the payments monthly, you will receive the money in the form of a tax refund in 2022, unless you decide to opt out on the portal. Any household with an income under $440,000 qualifies for the assistance.
―Erin Holden

New inclusive playground

A huge milestone for our community was reached with the grand opening of the Perrysburg Inclusive Playground on July 31. Presented by Mercy Health, the playground is accessible to children of all abilities, and will hopefully be the first of many through the direction of Wood County Plays, a nonprofit that seeks greater inclusivity for all kids’ playgrounds. The play area includes features like bucket seats for children who need more support for the swings and zipline, ramps for wheelchair accessibility and aids to help the visually impaired. Visit the park at Rotary Community Park. 26350 Fort Meigs Rd., Perrysburg. [email protected]. Check out wcplays.org to learn more about the organization and their upcoming playground project in Bowling Green. ―Erin Holden

Non-Profit Promotes Swimming Lessons

By

Lila Waterfield

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September 18, 2021

On May 27, 2021, while attending an awards ceremony for their oldest daughter, Michelle Fox and her husband received a life altering text from their babysitter.

“911 Logan”

Her youngest daughter, Logan, only 2 ½ years old at the time, had been found unresponsive in their backyard swimming pond and was being rushed to Toledo Hospital. In a panic, they rushed to the hospital where staff was doing everything in their power to keep her alive. Hours passed and they realized that it was unfortunately Logan’s time to go, and in the morning of May 28, Logan went to Heaven.

“There’s more to death than just dying if you believe in Jesus and have that in your heart,” said Fox. “I like to say that she went to Heaven, because that just reminds me that life here isn’t really final.”

While dealing with the grief surrounding the trauma her family had gone through, Fox found an outlet and a way to save others. The Because of Logan charity began as an idea suggested by a friend shortly after the celebration of Logan’s brief but precious life and has quickly flourished with the family’s hard work and support from an outstanding community.

“[The pastor] said there would be beauty because of Logan, and the words ‘because of Logan’ really stuck in my heart,” recalled Fox. “When we were thinking about the name of our charity, it was not a question: it was Because of Logan.”Mission Statement
“My mission in Because of Logan is to help families that can’t afford the ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) lessons, to educate kids on swim safety, and prevention,” said Fox, adding that her family never wants anyone to go through what they had to only a couple of months ago. She encourages people to realize that yes, while swimming is a fun summer activity, it is also a lifesaving skill that too many children are not taught early enough in life.

“I’m still learning myself,” she said. “But I’d really like to pass that [knowledge] on.” For those looking to apply to the scholarships, applications should be available via the charity’s website starting in January 2022.

Providing the opportunity to learn and attend ISR lessons to those in need is the first and foremost mission the charity has, but Fox also hopes to add a second initiative further down the road. A secondary mission for the charity would be to help families who have endured and struggled with swimming-related tragedies to pay off any outstanding medical bills, which can quickly add up if individuals don’t have good insurance, or any at all. Before her own insurance kicked in, she knew that her bill was tens of thousands of dollars, and could not imagine struggling under that financial burden after what had happened.

Funding
100 percent of the proceeds from every fundraiser and event that Because of Logan receives will go directly towards those scholarships for those who cannot afford ISR classes. Just this past summer the charity already had a wildly successful t-shirt fundraiser, selling 362 shirts and raising $9,330!

Their next big fundraiser will be a two-day event, October 1, 5-9pm and October 2, 11-4pm, hosted at Heban’s Field of Dreams in Grand Rapids, Ohio. “Friday, October 1 is geared towards adults, will have food trucks, local beer tastings, live music, and ways to win some fun prizes! Saturday, October 2nd is all about the kids! There will be bounce houses, a corn maze, face painting, and more.”

What do they still need to make this event rockin’? Local businesses have been providing awesome product donations for those grand prizes on both days of the event, and more are still encouraged! Everyone else is welcome to donate any gift cards, no matter the amount, and any unopened bottles of wine. There are various drop box locations in the area, but if you are unable to make it to one of those, then you can contact Michelle Fox through the charity’s Facebook or Instagram accounts.

One Last Thing
“I really want to express my gratitude to the public, because without their support none of this would be possible,” said Fox. “It’s truly been incredible; I’m speechless and truly humbled by everybody’s’ love and support. It’s gonna make a difference, and I’m really excited to see how it unfolds.”

For more information on upcoming events and fundraisers, keep up to date with the Facebook page.