The Ohana Project Toledo

The Ohana Project Toledo

From Ashley Mills

Our mission is to Guide, Encourage and Focus young adults who have aged out of the Foster Care System to become independent contributing members of society and to decrease risk factors they may face along the way like...

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Recent Updates

Update #20

3 months ago

We had an incredible Christmas with some of our participants with lunch provided by Directions Federal Credit Union and Gift donations from Pension Innovation Consultants. Happy Holidays!

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Youth who emancipate from foster care lack many skills and resources that young adults from stable homes have. Even worse they lack  the loving support a family can offer. After a life of trauma and instability and consistent change. Many of them run from the system that supported them as soon as they turn eighteen. Many try to reunite with their families, only to be let down again. This shakes their world, lower their self-worth and often leaves so many of them homeless and hopeless. That is where the Ohana Project comes in as a support system. We help find them safe and affordable housing, work on goals, job readiness and referrals to work for our community partners. We assist them with driving and obtaining a vehicle of their own. We teach important life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, time management and assist with finding grants for and processing applications for extended education. Our mentors are that life long connection that each of these young adults has longed for. Ohana Means Family, and the Polynesians strongly believe that it takes an entire village to raise a child. Every successful young adult has a team of supportive people behind them. Each young adult that joins the Ohana project knows that we are there to guide and support them and their goals, growth and achievements. 

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
3 months ago

Update #21

We had an incredible Christmas with some of our participants with lunch provided by Directions Federal Credit Union and Gift donations from Pension Innovation Consultants. Happy Holidays!

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
11 months ago

Update #20

Ohana Project Toledo

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
11 months ago

Update #19

Ohana Project Toledo

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 1 year ago

Update #18

October 2022 Ohio Youth Advisory Board Meeting

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 1 year ago

Update #17

I love the Ohana Project!
We're talking about a non-profit not concerned about money or noteriety, but sincerely cares for youth. A non-profit willing to play the background for free to help youth!
I am a foster alumni, and as a foster kid I was rarely ever told of my strengths. Of my potential. Guided according to what I could do best. But Ohana saw!
They encouraged me and lifted me up.
I have witnessed how their genuine concern keeps them up late nights, has them travel long distances, and give of their own pockets to help youth who aren't fortunate enough to have strong, or any, biological connections.
They are more then a business. More then a non-profit. They cover all the basis with one motivating factor... Helping youth. Their testimonies about their child hoods spans generations and causes them to connect with alumns of all ages.
They have the heart.
The have the experience. The patience.
My life was changed just in meeting them and for this I thank God.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 1 year ago

Update #16

We did it! Ohana has secured up to 22 units! First participants are already moving in. Toledo, Ohio has housing for emancipated foster young adults.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 1 year ago

Update #15

We have two new additions to Ohana! Please hep by visiting our baby charity list on Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/.../1D4FV.../ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 1 year ago

Update #14

Youth who emancipate foster care at eighteen, are unemployed, have no credit or co-signer. The results are that they end up with no place to live!!!

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
almost 2 years ago

Update #13

Teaching youth how to budget their finances can be challenging. Except for this young lady. She has an exceptional drive to succeed. We at The Ohana Project are excited to watch this young lady successfully reach her independence.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
almost 2 years ago

Update #12

Ooops! Life skills fail. Don't worry little buddy, we got you!! Sometimes when things go wrong, we are there teaching the skills to fix it.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 2 years ago

Update #11

We had so much Love and support from our community for our youth this Holiday Season. We wanted to share the joy of giving with our Villagers.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #10

Congratulations to this young man as he opens the door to his first apartment. What a difference a year makes!! When Ohana met him, he had a couple pairs of pants but, no real income. What he did have is an eagerness to succussed and become independent. Ohana helps foster youth reach independence in two phases. First phase is finding out what they want to do in life and encouraging them in that direction (college, trade school or on job training), then we work on transportation because wheels are a key to independence. In this phase we also teach life skills such cooking, cleaning, budgeting, paying bills and banking. We are proud to say that this young man was a huge success at phase one. He did everything Ohana asked of him, and he did it well.
The second phase is polishing for success by helping them to finish their education, job retention and credit building. We are looking forward to seeing this young man knock this ball out of the stadium.
Phase one was a huge success and my heart is warmed helping him move into his apartment, but we couldn’t have done it without our villagers who so obviously understood the challenges this populous of youth face and were happy to step up to help him reach his independence.
Ohana would like to give a big thanks to Jon Soul at AMO, for not only offering him gainful employment but in taking so much time to mentor and train him. I can’t tell you the changes this young man put him through but Jon never gave up. Thank you, Jon!!
Another huge thank you to Moubine Mourad , Tom Cole, and Steve Taylor - Taylor Made from Taylor Automotive Family for understanding the importance that transportation has in independence. Your gift was truly a God send, Thank you so very much!!
Thank you to Penta career Center for offering classes free of charge to him.
Finally, Ohana would like to thank Lucas Metro Housing for making sure that he was housed long enough to reach this milestone goal.
#fostercaresuccess #actionohio #fostercare #agingout #taylorautomotivegroup #LMH

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
over 2 years ago

Update #8

Two more young adults have housing stability due to working with Ohana. The first step to independent success is housing.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #7

A huge Thank You to all our supporters for sponsoring the Ohana Projects continuing work with young adults who aged out of foster care.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #6

Look at the numbers. With the pandemic of 2020, these numbers have increased. Keep an eye out for the updated reports coming soon.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #5

40% of youth who age out of care will experience homelessness. Today we were able to sign a lease and get this 20 year old ex foster youth off the streets. A big thank you to Ann Ebbert from Cherry Street Mission, Art Johnson, Margraret Miracola from Neighborhood Properties, The Homeless Board and everyone else who assisted The Ohana Project in getting this young man in a home before the holidays.
Welcome home Zion!!!

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #4

Planning meals and following a weekly budget wit a couple of our boys.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 3 years ago

Update #3

Thank you Taylor Automotive Group!! Steve Taylor understands the meaning of Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child and the importance transportation has in reaching that independence. When he heard the story of the struggles this young man was facing while navigating his path from Foster Care to independence Steve stepped up as a true villager and made sure that he had safe reliable transportation. Stephen and The Ohana Project are very grateful for Steve Taylor and Mo 'Beans Taylor Hyundai for their kindness and generosity!! Ohana would also like to thank Tom Cole for stepping up to make this happen.
Stephen loves his new car and is glowing with happiness!!

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
almost 4 years ago

Update #2

Thank you Sams Club Holland Ohio for your Grant of $1000.00.

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Ashley Mills posted a new update:
about 4 years ago

Update #1

The Ohana Project is getting closer every day. On our way. #Foster care # Youth Aging Out # Ohio Youth Support # Life skills # Education

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