It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Pythian Castle gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Toledo, OH is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Great home care experience all around! Between the nursing, therapy, and caregivers I couldn't ask”
“I switched to Always Best Care from another visiting nurse association and I’m so glad”
“The representatives are always professional! You can tell they love what they do!”
“I love working for this company . I've been working for about a year and”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC”
“I retired my full time job two years ago but still wanted to work part”
“My husband passed away on 4/11/17. His life was extended greatly because of the”
“Mr. McCurdy our family thanks you for the wonderful care you provided to our parents.”
“Hello Keith, Want to thank you for sending us the help we needed. Stephanie &”
“Great home care experience all around! Between the nursing, therapy, and caregivers I couldn't ask for a better company! Keep up the great work!!”
“I switched to Always Best Care from another visiting nurse association and I’m so glad I did. The staff was great and made every effort to help my mom recover from her stroke. They always gave us 1 or 2 days notice on appointments and were always on time. If we had to reschedule, they were understanding. Most importantly, they helped quite a lot! I highly recommend them over VNA. Thanks for helping our family.”
“The representatives are always professional! You can tell they love what they do!”
“I love working for this company . I've been working for about a year and a half . I highly recommend this company to caregivers as well as people in need of good quality service and standards . 5 stars is a true rating and it's an honor to be a part of the team.”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”
“I retired my full time job two years ago but still wanted to work part time only in a different field. I have always enjoyed helping people and I was lucky enough to find Always Best Care and have been working for them for two years. Keith and his entire staff are very personable, are easy to contact and/or get a return call in a timely fashion and will work with you when scheduling your work hours. I have been blessed to work with quite a few elderly people and have enjoyed every minute. They are sweet, kind, gentle and so appreciative for everything you do for them. I love everyday working to help those in need of help. Debi Mick”
“My husband passed away on 4/11/17. His life was extended greatly because of the care you supplied, Keith through the VA. The caregivers gave him exercises as well as help with showering, dressing, and the most important, good company. His alzheimer's limited his talking but they always made him laugh. God bless you all.”
“Mr. McCurdy our family thanks you for the wonderful care you provided to our parents. Your caregivers were so very good and compassionate to Kenneth and Esther. They went above and beyond our expectations and provided a level of care we cannot express enough. We will highly recommend you to anyone in need of your services. Once again thank you.”
“Hello Keith, Want to thank you for sending us the help we needed. Stephanie & Desiree were wonderful- put us at ease and were so caring. Excellent. The help you all gave comforted us and got us through the worst day of our lives. Bless you all for the work you do- and it is BEST CARE- EXCELLENT COMPANY.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Wildwood Preserve Metropark with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Georgio's Cafe International or visit Toledo History Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Toledo, OH, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Toledo, OH understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Toledo, OH 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Nic Antaya for NPR TOLEDO, Ohio — Marsha Hill feels like she's been coming to the public library for a hundred years. She came with her kids when they were young. Later, she came for computer help.Now at 66, she's discovered yet another reason to love the library. She's one of thousands of Toledo-area residents making use of the free services the library offers to entrepreneurs like herself. She's been coming in weekly, sometimes twice weekly, for help scaling up her nonprofit focused on children's he...
Nic Antaya for NPR
TOLEDO, Ohio — Marsha Hill feels like she's been coming to the public library for a hundred years. She came with her kids when they were young. Later, she came for computer help.
Now at 66, she's discovered yet another reason to love the library. She's one of thousands of Toledo-area residents making use of the free services the library offers to entrepreneurs like herself. She's been coming in weekly, sometimes twice weekly, for help scaling up her nonprofit focused on children's health.
"Everybody knows me," she says with a smile.
Gone are the days when the public library was just about books. Today, it’s where people go to use the internet, get legal advice and pick up COVID tests.
And now, there's a movement among public libraries to become hubs of entrepreneurship.
Back in 2018, Toledo was one of 12 public library systems awarded grants through the Urban Libraries Council to explore ways to engage entrepreneurs in their communities, particularly people of color, women, immigrants and veterans.
Six years later, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library is leading the way. This summer, the library officially opened its small business and nonprofit workspace.
Tucked in the basement of a stately 1940s art deco building, the brightly-lit room has flexible meeting spaces, cubicles and computers for anyone to use.
Librarians hold drop-in hours and take one-on-one appointments. They also hosts classes on topics like bookkeeping, grant writing and business plan development.
And it's all free.
Linda Faye Lucas, a former business consultant, used to charge clients hundreds of dollars for this kind of work.
Nic Antaya for NPR
Nic Antaya for NPR
Now as a librarian, she says, 75% of the people she works with are women, many of them women of color.
"I've been able to do what I did for people that never would have been able to afford the services," she says. "I have made some wonderful connections with business owners."
Allison Fiscus, adult services coordinator for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, says paramount to library work is paying attention to what the public actually needs.
Five years ago, the small business and nonprofit team was just two librarians devoting a quarter of their time to this work. Responding to ever-increasing demand, the library now has three full-time business specialists.
The number of customer interactions — measured as people served through classes or one-on-one consultations — has nearly doubled since 2020, to more than 3,100 so far this year.
Nic Antaya for NPR
The rising enthusiasm is welcome news in Toledo, where manufacturing jobs, once a mainstay, have shrunk by 20% since the 1990s, and unemployment hovers above the national average.
In a city looking to evolve from its industrial past, Fiscus says the investment in the library's business services is already proving to be taxpayer money well spent.
"Return on investment is big for us," she says. "We want to make sure we're maximizing everything that we put out."
Hill started her nonprofit, Families for Fitness, in 2011, while she was working full time at the Jeep plant in Toledo.
Inspired to tackle childhood obesity, Hill hired certified fitness trainers to run an afterschool program in the public schools, collaborating first with the Ohio State extension program and then with a local hospital system.
It's been a labor of love, something she self-funded for years.
After retiring from her auto job in 2023, Hill started thinking about formalizing her operations and creating a board so she could seek outside funding.
But Families for Fitness had no digital presence. Hill doesn't even have a website.
Enter Zach Huber, a librarian who joined the team in 2019 after spending six years in the nonprofit world, wearing every hat — marketing, fundraising, programming.
Nic Antaya for NPR
Since the spring, he's been putting those skills to use, working with Hill on what he calls "capacity building," strengthening her nonprofit.
Together, they are building a website and setting up a profile on the nonprofit database GuideStar, with the goal of getting Hill to a place where she can apply for grants.
"We're trying to make her competitive with all the other nonprofits that are in this community," says Huber.
While there are economic development services in Toledo supporting larger enterprises, Lucas says the microbusinesses, the mom-and-pop shops, deserve support, too.
"Their value is important because they are a job creator, even if it is just their own job," she says.
One woman she worked with started a gardening business. It now supports her life in retirement and pays for her travel to see her grown children in the off-season.
Another woman started a child care business out of her home, allowing her to care for up to six children, including a great-niece.
"Even the smallest business is going to help Toledo with raising up the whole community," Lucas says.
Nic Antaya for NPR
At times, Lucas has tried to convince someone not to go into business. If someone doesn't have the financial resources to launch, for example, she'll be honest with them.
"A lot of times, it's giving them that real information that nobody else wants to sit and talk to them about," she says.
Lindsay Williams, the newest addition to the library's team, joined in 2023 after experiencing first hand how game-changing their assistance can be for a small business.
"What I think a lot of our entrepreneurs experience is a really exciting idea, and then they get into the nitty-gritty of it, and then they need some help," she says. "Certainly, that was me."
Williams had started a jewelry business, making hand-painted, hand-cut earrings. But in 2020, COVID shut down all the jewelry shows.
Williams, a self-described library super-user, was aware that the library offered free access to business databases that are behind paywalls.
With help from Huber and Lucas, she compiled a list of jewelry boutiques and sent out solicitations. Since then, she's grown her consignment boutique business by 40%.
Last year, when the library was looking to expand the small business and nonprofit team, Williams knew immediately she wanted in.
Now, she says, her real-world, real-time experience as an entrepreneur helps her help others.
Nic Antaya for NPR
"I am actively digitally marketing. I am actively reviewing consignment contracts. I am actively seeing how these things move and change and shape," says Williams.
"I'm doing it right now, and I'm able to help them through that journey, too."
With the opening of the new dedicated workspace this summer, the library's team has seen a jump in interest from the public.
Some days, as many as a dozen people will come in seeking help. Classes are full and often have a waitlist. Over 100 people signed up for a recent session on grants.
"The need's there. People want it," says Huber.
Lucas, who wants everyone to feel welcome, insists no question is off limits.
"We will find an answer if we don't know the answer," says Lucas. "I mean, we're librarians. We know how to find information."
With Halloween drawing near, communities across our area are brewing plans for the timeless tradition. Read on to find out where and when to go trick-or-treating.OHIO, USA — Get ready, ghouls and goblins: it's officially October and Halloween is drawing closer.Many cities around the area have announced schedules...
With Halloween drawing near, communities across our area are brewing plans for the timeless tradition. Read on to find out where and when to go trick-or-treating.
OHIO, USA — Get ready, ghouls and goblins: it's officially October and Halloween is drawing closer.
Many cities around the area have announced schedules for the favorite fall tradition of trick-or-treating.
Are you looking for the perfect place to celebrate the spooky season and collect candy in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan? WTOL 11 has you covered with when and where you should be for Halloween 2024.
If a residential trick-or-treat time for your area isn't listed, check back for updates. More dates and times will be added as they are announced.
Other free community events:
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Our water is safe to drink.Our water professionals test and monitor drinking water quality 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We produce approximately 75 million gallons of safe drinking water daily for nearly 500,000 people.Hundreds of water quality tests are performed each day at the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant by certified chemists who are on duty around the clock to ensure our drinking water meets or exceeds all water quality standards. Water samples for microcystin are collected weekly and analyzed on Tuesday....
Our water professionals test and monitor drinking water quality 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We produce approximately 75 million gallons of safe drinking water daily for nearly 500,000 people.
Hundreds of water quality tests are performed each day at the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant by certified chemists who are on duty around the clock to ensure our drinking water meets or exceeds all water quality standards. Water samples for microcystin are collected weekly and analyzed on Tuesday. When lake conditions warrant, testing will be increased.
Have a concern? Report water quality concerns to Engage Toledo 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ozone provides additional measures of protection from the effects of harmful algal blooms within Lake Erie.
09 2024 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2024 Microcystin Action Level Report 09 2023 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2023 Microcystin Action Level Report 09 2022 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2022 Microcystin Action Level Report 07 2022 Microcystin Action Level Report 09 2021 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2021 Microcystin Action Level Report 09 2020 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2020 Microcystin Action Level Report 07 2020 Microcystin Action Level Report
09 2024 Microcystin Tap Level Report 08 2024 Microcystin Tap Level Report 09 2023 Microcystin Action Level Report 08 2023 Microcystin Action Level Report 09 2022 Microcystin Tap Level Report 08 2022 Microcystin Tap Level Report 07 2022 Microcystin Tap Level Report 09 2021 Microcystin Tap Level Report 08 2021 Microcystin Tap Level Report 09 2020 Microcystin Tap Level Report 08 2020 Microcystin Tap Level Report 07 2020 Microcystin Tap Level Report
We take pride in providing the highest quality drinking water to you and our neighbors in surrounding communities. We hold ourselves to the utmost standard because that is what we believe our customers deserve.
Once a year, the City presents its Water Quality Report to our consumers. This annual report is a regulatory requirement of the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA to demonstrate to our customers that our drinking water meets or surpasses all State and Federal laws. We are pleased to present the Water Quality Report. The contents of this report contain valuable information that we hope you will find interesting and helpful.
The City continues to achieve its goal of producing high quality, reliable drinking water. The staff at the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant work around the clock to provide the goods and services our consumers have come to expect. It is their responsibility to perform routine maintenance, skilled operations, and laboratory analysis. As a result, the customers of the Toledo Water System receive the highest quality drinking water.
The City of Toledo and Toledo Water Division are proud to be serving our citizens and visitors drinking water that is highly regarded throughout the country.
Click here to view the Drinking Water Source Assessment for the City of Toledo.
2023 Water Quality Report 2022 Water Quality Report 2021 Water Quality Report 2020 Water Quality Report 2019 Water Quality Report 2018 Water Quality Report 2017 Water Quality Report
TOLEDO, Ohio — Marsha Hill feels like she's been coming to the public library for a hundred years. She came with her kids when they were young. Later, she came for computer help.Now at 66, she's discovered yet another reason to love the library. She's one of thousands of Toledo-area residents making use of the free services the library offers to entrepreneurs like herself. She's been coming in weekly, sometimes twice weekly, for help scaling up her nonprofit focused on children's health."Everybody knows me," she...
TOLEDO, Ohio — Marsha Hill feels like she's been coming to the public library for a hundred years. She came with her kids when they were young. Later, she came for computer help.
Now at 66, she's discovered yet another reason to love the library. She's one of thousands of Toledo-area residents making use of the free services the library offers to entrepreneurs like herself. She's been coming in weekly, sometimes twice weekly, for help scaling up her nonprofit focused on children's health.
"Everybody knows me," she says with a smile.
Gone are the days when the public library was just about books. Today, it’s where people go to use the internet, get legal advice and pick up COVID tests.
And now, there's a movement among public libraries to become hubs of entrepreneurship.
Back in 2018, Toledo was one of 12 public library systems awarded grants through the Urban Libraries Council to explore ways to engage entrepreneurs in their communities, particularly people of color, women, immigrants and veterans.
Six years later, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library is leading the way. This summer, the library officially opened its small business and nonprofit workspace.
Tucked in the basement of a stately 1940s art deco building, the brightly-lit room has flexible meeting spaces, cubicles and computers for anyone to use.
Librarians hold drop-in hours and take one-on-one appointments. They also hosts classes on topics like bookkeeping, grant writing and business plan development.
And it's all free.
Linda Faye Lucas, a former business consultant, used to charge clients hundreds of dollars for this kind of work.
Now as a librarian, she says, 75% of the people she works with are women, many of them women of color.
"I've been able to do what I did for people that never would have been able to afford the services," she says. "I have made some wonderful connections with business owners."
Allison Fiscus, adult services coordinator for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, says paramount to library work is paying attention to what the public actually needs.
Five years ago, the small business and nonprofit team was just two librarians devoting a quarter of their time to this work. Responding to ever-increasing demand, the library now has three full-time business specialists.
The number of customer interactions — measured as people served through classes or one-on-one consultations — has nearly doubled since 2020, to more than 3,100 so far this year.
The rising enthusiasm is welcome news in Toledo, where manufacturing jobs, once a mainstay, have shrunk by 20% since the 1990s, and unemployment hovers above the national average.
In a city looking to evolve from its industrial past, Fiscus says the investment in the library's business services is already proving to be taxpayer money well spent.
"Return on investment is big for us," she says. "We want to make sure we're maximizing everything that we put out."
Hill started her nonprofit, Families for Fitness, in 2011, while she was working full time at the Jeep plant in Toledo.
Inspired to tackle childhood obesity, Hill hired certified fitness trainers to run an afterschool program in the public schools, collaborating first with the Ohio State extension program and then with a local hospital system.
It's been a labor of love, something she self-funded for years.
After retiring from her auto job in 2023, Hill started thinking about formalizing her operations and creating a board so she could seek outside funding.
But Families for Fitness had no digital presence. Hill doesn't even have a website.
Enter Zach Huber, a librarian who joined the team in 2019 after spending six years in the nonprofit world, wearing every hat — marketing, fundraising, programming.
Since the spring, he's been putting those skills to use, working with Hill on what he calls "capacity building," strengthening her nonprofit.
Together, they are building a website and setting up a profile on the nonprofit database GuideStar, with the goal of getting Hill to a place where she can apply for grants.
"We're trying to make her competitive with all the other nonprofits that are in this community," says Huber.
While there are economic development services in Toledo supporting larger enterprises, Lucas says the microbusinesses, the mom-and-pop shops, deserve support, too.
"Their value is important because they are a job creator, even if it is just their own job," she says.
One woman she worked with started a gardening business. It now supports her life in retirement and pays for her travel to see her grown children in the off-season.
Another woman started a child care business out of her home, allowing her to care for up to six children, including a great-niece.
"Even the smallest business is going to help Toledo with raising up the whole community," Lucas says.
At times, Lucas has tried to convince someone not to go into business. If someone doesn't have the financial resources to launch, for example, she'll be honest with them.
"A lot of times, it's giving them that real information that nobody else wants to sit and talk to them about," she says.
Lindsay Williams, the newest addition to the library's team, joined in 2023 after experiencing first hand how game-changing their assistance can be for a small business.
"What I think a lot of our entrepreneurs experience is a really exciting idea, and then they get into the nitty-gritty of it, and then they need some help," she says. "Certainly, that was me."
Williams had started a jewelry business, making hand-painted, hand-cut earrings. But in 2020, COVID shut down all the jewelry shows.
Williams, a self-described library super-user, was aware that the library offered free access to business databases that are behind paywalls.
With help from Huber and Lucas, she compiled a list of jewelry boutiques and sent out solicitations. Since then, she's grown her consignment boutique business by 40%.
Last year, when the library was looking to expand the small business and nonprofit team, Williams knew immediately she wanted in.
Now, she says, her real-world, real-time experience as an entrepreneur helps her help others.
"I am actively digitally marketing. I am actively reviewing consignment contracts. I am actively seeing how these things move and change and shape," says Williams.
"I'm doing it right now, and I'm able to help them through that journey, too."
With the opening of the new dedicated workspace this summer, the library's team has seen a jump in interest from the public.
Some days, as many as a dozen people will come in seeking help. Classes are full and often have a waitlist. Over 100 people signed up for a recent session on grants.
"The need's there. People want it," says Huber.
Lucas, who wants everyone to feel welcome, insists no question is off limits.
OHIOSaturday, Oct. 26, 2024? Findlay: 6-8 p.m.? Fostoria: 5:30-7 p.m.? Grand Rapids: 4-6 p.m.? Holgate: 5:30-7 p.m.? VanBuren: 6:30-8 p.m.? Weston: 6-8 p.m.; Halloween Monster Mash 5:30 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024? Fremont: 4-6 p.m.? Tiffin: 5-7 p.m.; 2nd Annual Truck or Treat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seneca Co. Fairgrounds, 100 Hopewell Ave.Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024? Archbold: 6-7:30 p.m.? Bow...
OHIO
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
? Findlay: 6-8 p.m.
? Fostoria: 5:30-7 p.m.
? Grand Rapids: 4-6 p.m.
? Holgate: 5:30-7 p.m.
? VanBuren: 6:30-8 p.m.
? Weston: 6-8 p.m.; Halloween Monster Mash 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024
? Fremont: 4-6 p.m.
? Tiffin: 5-7 p.m.; 2nd Annual Truck or Treat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seneca Co. Fairgrounds, 100 Hopewell Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024
? Archbold: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Bowling Green: 6:30-8 p.m.
? Delta: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Elmore: 6-8 p.m.
? Fayette: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Genoa: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Holland: 6-8 p.m.
? Jerusalem Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Lake Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Luckey: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Lyons: 5:30-7 p.m.
? Maumee: 6-8 p.m.
? Metamora: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
? Millbury: 6-8 p.m.
? Monclova Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Napoleon: 6-8 p.m.
? North Baltimore: 5-7 p.m.; Halloween parade Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
? Northwood: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Norwalk: 6-7:30 p.m.; Halloween parade 1:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 26.
? Oak Harbor: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Oregon: 6-8 p.m.
? Pemberville: 5:30-7 p.m.
? Perrysburg: 6-8 p.m.
? Perrysburg Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Port Clinton: 6-8 p.m.
? Rossford: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
? Springfield Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Sylvania: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Sylvania Township: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Swanton: 5:30- 7 p.m.
? Toledo: 6-8 p.m.
? Walbridge: 6-8 p.m.
? Washington Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Waterville: 6-8 p.m.
? Wauseon: 6-7:30 p.m.; Trunk or treat 4:30-6 p.m.
? Whitehouse: 6-8 p.m.
? Woodville: 6-8 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024
? Adrian: 6-8 p.m.; 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Downtown)
? Bedford Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Blissfield: 5:30-7 p.m.
? Dundee: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
? Erie Township: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Hillsdale: 6-8 p.m.
? Ida Township: 6-8 p.m.
? LaSalle Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Luna Pier: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Monroe City: 6-8 p.m.
? Monroe Township: 6:30-8 p.m.
? Petersburg: 6-7:30 p.m., also Trunk-or-treat in city’s downtown parking lot 6-8 p.m.
? Raisinville Township: 6-8 p.m.
? Summerfield Township: 6-7:30 p.m.
? Tecumseh: 6-8 p.m.
? Whiteford Township: 6-8 p.m.
First Published October 25, 2024, 4:00 a.m.
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