Skip to main content

Empowering Families Since 1986

This year marks 40 years of remarkable evolution and impact! Join us for a year of celebration and special events that honor our history and fuel our future including our: 

  • Strong Like a Mother 5K - Mother’s Day race 
  • World Homeless Day - Community Open House
  • Fundraising goal - 40 families from shelter to housing by July 21 (our anniversary) 

Celebrate. Engage. Participate. Be part of this milestone year with us as we build brighter futures for Central Ohio families together.

  • July 21st, 1986

    July 21st, 1986: Laying the Foundation

    Teresa Dowd, Jan Wagner, and Mary Jane Carpenter found The Homeless Families Foundation.

  • 1991

    1991: First Summer Camp

    The first children’s summer camp starts for kids of families experiencing housing insecurity.

  • 1993

    1993: A Home for Learning

    HFF purchases the Children’s Education Center building on Grubb Street.

  • 1998

    1998: A Leader’s Legacy

    Teresa Dowd retires as president of HFF.

  • 2006

    2006: Opening Doors

    HFF expands to 46 emergency shelter units.

  • 2010

    2010: Partnering for Families

    HFF joins forces with the Community Shelter Board to begin rapid re-housing pilot programs.

  • 2011

    2011: Record Impact

    A record 240 families are served by HFF in one year.

  • 2013

    2013: Starting Strong

    HFF begins its SPARK kindergarten readiness programming.

  • 2016

    2016: Leading the Way

    Current President & CEO, Beth Fetzer-Rice joins HFF.

  • 2019

    2019: Expanding our Reach

    HFF expands to 3 new housing programs and serves 265 families.

  • 2020

    2020: Strong Response to Crisis

    The global pandemic increases HFF funding from $2.5 million to nearly $12 million.

  • 2021

    2021: New Beginnings

    The Homeless Families Foundation changes its name and begins doing business as Home for Families.

  • 2023

    2023: Moving Forward

    Home for Families sells its Grubb Street location and moves operations to 727 E. Main St.

  • 2024

    2024: Companion for Care

    Home for Families receives a Facility Dog from Canine Companions.

  • 2025

    2025: A Growing Community Presence

    HFF establishes itself as a primary service provider at two local affordable housing properties.

  • 2026

    2026: A Year to Remember

    2026 marks HFF’s 40th year serving Columbus area families and youth experiencing housing crises.

Grateful Heart: One mother’s thank-you to Home for Families

Image features the quote: At the lowest point in my life Home for Families was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.

We recently received an amazing letter of gratitude from a former client. Messages such as this one serve as a real reminder that the work we do changes lives. They provide a window into how hard the mothers we serve work on behalf of their children, and just how much is possible when they're finally connected with the resources they need to find stability. 

Home for Families -

At the lowest point in my life Home for Families was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. After my maternity leave was over I returned to work and shortly after I was let go. I was so scared and stressed out because at that time I had no car, no savings, rent was past due, and I was a single first-time mom. It was hard to have savings or [a] back-up plan because paying for daycare ended up being more than my rent each month, and taking Ubers to and from work was leaving me with honestly nothing at the end of each pay week. 

I went to more than 6 places right after I was let go to try and find any kind of assistance with bills or rent—just anything to get back on my feet—and I was denied everywhere I went either because I didn’t qualify or because they had no funds left to be able to help. 

I was lost and used my last bit of money to buy an old car so I could at least have a form of transportation and DoorDash for some money to try and stay afloat. That’s when I got a call from Home for Families and it was the BEST thing that could’ve ever happened to me. I went in for my intake and was told I did qualify for rental assistance, which was such a breath of fresh air, and I honestly cried in the car on my way home because before that I truly thought me and my baby were going to either be homeless or have to find family to stay with, which was barely an option for me. 

Home for Families helped with so much more than just rent—they pushed me to be better, to set goals, and to not give up no matter how hard it got or how many jobs turned me down. Without the program I don’t think I would’ve ever come across the job I have now, which is the best, most convenient job ever. I get to work from home and take care of my daughter and save more by not having to pay all that money I used to pay for childcare. 

Home for Families pushed me to set goals for myself and actually see them through, which is something I never did before; I just lived day to day, but setting goals and saving is something I actually do now, and it makes me happy to be setting myself up for success after receiving their help. It didn’t just stop at rental assistance. There was a point before I got my job that I lost my DoorDash account due to needing to reinstate my license, which I didn’t know how I was going to get the money for it if my form of income was shut down. They helped me pay for my reinstatement fee and get back to being able to DoorDash while still pouring my all into finding a job, which helped so much because that’s how I was able to get money to eat, buy diapers and wipes, and just have some income instead of none. Like I mentioned they helped with so much more than rent.

Home for Families helped Christmas happen for me and my baby this year. A family sponsored us, which I’m beyond grateful for, and they got my baby some clothes and toys. They got us a Christmas tree and even a gift for me, which I am beyond grateful for and thank them and Home for Families more than anyone would ever know. I truly thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it special for her, but with the help of the family and Home for Families we made it happen! 

Overall Home for Families is amazing and life changing beyond the financial part of it. They actually care to help you grow as a person and change through the program for the better. With their help I have short- and long-term goals, I have some stability back, and I have the confidence to know I can do this and hopefully not go through anything like that again. 

Thank you so much for helping me become a better person. Thank you for saving me and my daughter from homelessness. Thank you for helping me when no one else could, and I truly hope your program stays open and funded forever. I know you’re going to change and improve so many more lives just like you did mine, and I hope one day I can have enough money in my life to be able to help you guys just like you helped me. Words can’t even describe how grateful I am.

  • Wonderful org serving our most vulnerable population with dignity. - Selena B., community member

  • Thank you, HFF, for all the hard work you do for our community - Natalie C., supporter

  • Amazing organization. - Lindsay B., supporter

  • HFF is an incredible organization whose work is more vital than ever. - Michelle M., longtime supporter, former board member

MENU CLOSE