Toledo resort might grow to be post-foster care residences

The historic Park Hotel in South Toledo is currently vacant, but LMH has plans to develop it into a temporary shelter for the unskilled.

TOLEDO, Ohio – The historic Park Hotel is clad with broken windows and peeling paint and is a lot of work. However, the aim is to turn it into apartments for people who age outside of care.

“Apartment complexes want a co-signer and most teens don’t have a co-signer, and then many complexes want a youngster to make at least three times their income,” said Kris Kapela-McGuckin of Lucas County Children Services.

Living is difficult. According to Foster.orgHalf of the people who are no longer in care will be unemployed, resulting in half of them becoming homeless within four years.

Jonathan Thomas from Bowling Green has experienced this firsthand and wants to prevent it from happening to others.

“This evolutionary process when you are an adult by age versus when you are actually an adult is a little difficult to pinpoint. This makes such accommodation even more important,” said Thomas.

He and fellow attorney Cloe Cooper both believe that services such as obtaining GEDs, driving licenses, and applying for a job must be included in putting youth on the path to lasting stability.

“What is important to this person and then connects them to the community resources that can point them in the direction they can start and where they can start their journey,” said Cooper.

A vote on the rededication on Tuesday in Toledo City Council is just one of many steps to get there.