Our History

Our founder, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Dave Anderson, was running a foster care agency when he discovered the need for parents to have support before getting to the point of state involvement. His “Aha!” moment happened when a mom came to him asking for help and he realized he was set up only to help after something bad happens and Safe Families was started in 2003. Now, our launch team is working to bring Safe Families to the Toledo area, with the goal of launching in the spring of 2026!

Today

Safe Families helps build resilient families by wrapping practical support and relational community around parents to help strengthen and secure the home environment. Safe Families doesn’t try and help solve all of a family’s problems. However, by befriending and supporting families, we can help reduce isolation and equip parents to problem solve how to manage life’s challenges, so that they never face them alone. All of us can play a role in helping to build resilient families.

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers are not case managers. They aren’t perfect parents; some of them aren’t parents. They are all compassionate people who believe that partnering with us to help strengthen families is one way we can all work together to care for our communities. We have a team approach to volunteering so that no one feels alone or overwhelmed.

NW Ohio Launch Team

Lukehart Family

We are Colin and Cherise Lukehart. We were married in 2009 and now have two precious sons through adoption. Colin is a pilot and associate pastor, and Cherise is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner serving at a local pregnancy center. Through our work with expectant mothers in Lucas County and the surrounding area, we have discovered the great need for support and community that Safe Families for Children can provide. We love that there are so many ways one can be involved in Safe Families for Children. We hope you will prayerfully consider joining us.

Slager Family

We’re Jacob and Emmarsyn Slager, and we’ve been married since 2023. We met at Redemption Church here in Toledo and quickly discovered a shared heart for loving people the way Jesus does. Jacob is preparing for a career as a Physician Assistant, and Emmarsyn has a background in ministry and social services. Along the way, we’ve seen how deeply families in our community need support and connection, which is why we’re so excited to help bring Safe Families for Children to Lucas County.

As parents to two little ones in heaven, family holds a very sacred place in our hearts. We believe the Church is called to step into the lives of vulnerable families with compassion and practical love, and we’re honored to be part of building that here.

Dooley Family

We are the Dooley family! Our family of 6 began in 2015 when Zack and I got married. Every couple of years after that God blessed us with one sweet baby after another. We know the calling God has placed in our life is to love Him and to love the people around us – in our community and around the world. Zack and I are associate missionaries with an organization that does medical clinics in multiple different countries around the world. We are passionate about serving the people of our community here in Toledo as well! Safe Families has felt like such a perfect avenue to do just that. I volunteer at The Pregnancy Center here in Toledo which has allowed me to see the need that our city has for community, love and support. We can’t wait to see the families in Northwest Ohio be cared for and loved by the Safe Families community we all can build together. 

Julia Vandergrift

I’m Julia Vandergrift! I work as a clinical dietitian and love trying new coffee shops, traveling, & spending time with friends and family. God has given me a passion for people and some extra time and energy in my singleness that l’m eager to use to further His cause in our community.