Laura’s Home Marks 23 Years of Serving Women and Children in Crisis This Valentine's Day

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Valentine’s Day marks more than just a holiday for the staff at The City Mission: It is the 23rd anniversary of the opening of Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center. On Feb. 14, 2026, the organization will also celebrate the one-year mark for Rothstein Village, a transitional housing community designed to bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent independence for families in Northeast Ohio. Since opening its doors in 2003 on Puritas Avenue in Cleveland’s Riverside neighborhood, Laura’s Home has served as a primary resource for women and children facing displacement. It is not just a place for a meal and a bed. According to The City Mission records, the center provides a long-term, holistic program that includes mental health counseling, legal advocacy and specialized educational support for children who have experienced trauma. The facility operates 166 beds and is frequently at capacity, reflecting the ongoing need for family services in a city where poverty rates remain significantly higher than the national average. The addition of Rothstein Village one year ago represented a major shift in how the organization handles the “cliff effect,” which happens when families lose their safety net before they are fully self-sufficient. The village consists of several independent housing units where families can live while they finish their degrees or save for a down payment on a permanent home. It is an extension of the trauma-informed care model that characterizes the Puritas Avenue campus. Most families arriving at the center are fleeing domestic violence or sudden economic collapse, often arriving with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. The program’s goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty by giving mothers the practical tools they need to maintain a household on their own. According to The City Mission historical data, the organization has operated in Cleveland since 1910, making it one of the oldest social service providers in the region. The City Mission remains a privately funded nonprofit that does not accept government money, relying instead on local donations and community partnerships to fund its $10 million annual operating budget. Residents or local businesses interested in volunteering or contributing to the expansion of Rothstein Village can contact the development office at the main Carnegie Avenue headquarters. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.