Right now, 3,000 Ohio foster alumni between the ages of 18 and 21 are struggling to survive.

Around this time of year, most of us are adding to ever-expanding to-do lists…turkey, tinsel, parties. However the trimmings and gifts can’t hold a candle to the warm embrace of family.

Lighthouse Youth Services is in the midst of a $20 million capital campaign aimed at ending youth homelessness in Cincinnati by 2020. The goal of the project is to create a seamless system of care to support the unique needs of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in our community. At the center of this concept is "A Place to Call Home."

I am a social worker. In a general sense, my job is to help people improve the quality of their lives. In a practical sense, my job is so much more. Each day is different and each family I meet is unique. I travel to homes all over Hamilton County, from the wealthy suburb of Indian Hill to the poverty-stricken inner-city neighborhoods in lower Price Hill.