Central Ohio Greenway

Focusing on an extensive network of recreational trails, the initiative was developed  to ensure that all citizens reap the conservation, health, transportation, and recreation benefits of biking. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is dedicated to connecting existing trails so people enjoy the streams and wooded corridors throughout central Ohio.
 

Mobile Market

MidOhio Food Bank believes that no one should go hungry, and is dedicated to building a community that makes food accessible to all people. Targeting low-income senior housing sites and subsidized daycare programs serving low-income families, the traveling market gets healthy food to vulnerable populations that cannot access the pantry network.

Homeless Dog Training

Homeless dogs from the Citizens for Humane Action animal shelter are trained and socialized by children with disabilities in a school-based service-learning program managed by Kids N Canines, Inc. Dogs selected for the program are at-risk for long-term confinement in the shelter system or euthanasia.

Disaster Relief

Single-home fires are the most frequent local disasters. Every day, fires leave families homeless and devastated. More than 500 families are assisted annually by the American Red Cross of Columbus. Trained disaster action teams assist victims with emergency food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and supplies. Volunteers are also trained to respond to major disasters in collaboration with first responders.

Family Focused Reentry

Entire families are affected when one member goes to prison. Alvis House, Inc. operates two family-focused reentry programs that provide services to strengthen relationships, improve employment opportunities, and facilitate family self-sufficiency. By doing more to fix families broken by incarceration, Alvis helps to make our community a better, safer place.

Keepsake Quilts

Moving Beyond Poverty

This workshop series for volunteers and residents focuses on the causes of poverty. Graduating participants join the Circles Program at Capital Development Corporation for Housing. The program co-investigates poverty and the hidden rules of racial and economic class to develop community impact strategies with an advisory group of community agencies, businesses, and faith-based organizations.   

Choral Festival for World Music

Each year, elementary school teachers from Columbus City Schools select exceptional fifth grade musicians to participate in this event.  Festival participants join members of the Columbus Children's Choir for five workshops, a group choir rehearsal, and a final concert.  All activities focus on the festival's cultural theme, including workshops in poetry, literature, dance, and musical instruments.

Senior Options

The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging advocates for the development and delivery of services for adult adults. The program provides home care and case management services for Franklin County residents over age 60, including meal delivery, personal care, homemaker assistance, transportation, home repair, and adult daycare.
    

Literary Collection

Ohioana Library Association preserves the written work of Ohio authors, musicians, and artists. The collection is maintained in a climate-controlled facility and includes 45,000 books, 10,000 pieces of sheet music, and 20,000 biographical files. The organization was founded in 1929 when Ohio First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper began a collection for the Governor’s Mansion