Through Community Partnership grants and ARPA funds, the Franklin County Commissioners have awarded $3.46 million to 12 HSC member agencies.

Part of nearly $6 million in funds, these are critical dollars that will arrive at a time when demand at nonprofits remains at record highs while the flow of pandemic supports has slowed to a trickle.

HSC members receiving funds will use the dollars in a wide range of ways:

∙ Star House Columbus, which provides a drop-in center and services to homeless youths, will receive $500,000. Between January and May of this year, Star House served more than 800 individual youths, which was the total for all of 2021. By the end of 2023, the nonprofit expects to serve 1,600 to 2,000 youth, a more than 100% increase in two years. 

∙ YMCA of Central Ohio will receive $234,297 to provide subsidized permanent housing to low-income, single adults age 55 and older at McKinley Manor, prioritizing seniors who are chronically homeless individuals who have a disability.  

∙ Central Community House will receive $148,832 for programming for families to address key protective factors which strengthen families so that children may experience stability within their homes. 

∙ Directions for Youth and Families will receive $150,000 toward its new community center and after-school and youth programming in the Eastland area.

∙ Dress for Success Columbus will get $163,500 for its career develop programs that put women on the path to self-sufficiency through workforce readiness, personal, and professional development.

∙ Seeds of Caring will get $45,000 to continue its program of organizing ways for pre-school and elementary age children to volunteer their services to the community through more than 15 opportunities monthly.

∙ Sprout Five will get $92,178 for its GimmeFive initiative designed to empower children and their families in low-income communities through education, economic development, and financial literacy.

∙ We Amplify Voices will get $500,000 to support its existing youth programming and allow the organization to pilot a developmentally appropriate program for third graders at seven or eight Columbus City elementary schools.

∙ The Mid-Ohio Food Collective will receive $500,000 to provide emergency food assistance to residents in need. The food bank has reported singificant increase in demand this year.

∙ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio will get $329,651 to provide assistance for youth to attend weekend and summer camps.

∙ The Childhood League Center, which serves children birth through age 5 who have developmental needs, will receive $300,000 to support its preschool program as part of the Franklin County RISE Initiative.