Ending Homelessness Through Education and Advocacy

Why Should I Help People Who are Homeless Improve Their Lives?
The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless believes in social and economic justice for all people. This includes the right to equal access to basic necessities such as: decent and affordable housing, clean, warm and appropriate clothing, a balanced diet, affordable healthcare, quality education, suitable employment, and a living wage. Those who roam the streets and fill the shelters each night are often denied these essential rights. Our society has the resources, and responsibility, to confront this injustice; however, the effectiveness of our response will be limited until there is a community-wide effort to end homelessness.

To identify injustice and speak out against it is to build a basis for a better society.  To share in our abundance with those less fortunate is to recognize inequality and endeavor to overcome it. To give freely of one’s time and energy working toward solutions is to take responsibility for a better tomorrow.

What can I do to Help?
Below are three suggestions of ways that you can become part of the solution.

Join the Coalition
By becoming a member of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless you will be helping to advocate for those who are among the most vulnerable in our society. Also, becoming a member will allow you to educate yourself about the problem of homelessness and make informed decisions about how you will combat this injustice. Please fill out the form to the left and send an envelope to the address listed with a check for the appropriate amount of dues.

Give to the Coalition
To maintain our work toward ending homelessness the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless relies on contributions from the community. These investments come in the form of money to continue our education and advocacy programs, as well as goods necessary to survive out on the streets. These goods are collected in our Outreach Resource Center and distributed weekly by our Outreach Cluster.

Volunteer

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless is an advocacy and education organization committed to working toward the end of homelessness. But we can't do it alone, we need the help of community members to support our efforts. There are a variety of opportunities available in the Columbus area including office support activities, program assistance, special events volunteers, and technical support -click here for a complete list of such opportunities. If you are interest in any of these activities, please email this form to columbushomeless@yahoo.com so we can get a better idea of how to be utilize the talents you have to offer!

Our Committees and Events

Continuum of Care
This committee serves as group which provides input, direction and technical expertise to the decision making process for HUD funded programs serving homeless persons. Composed of local community agency representatives who operate or hope to operate a HUD program, the group reviews both new and renewal proposals and submits their recommendations for funding to the Technical Review Committee. In addition, the group participates in the monitoring of HUD funded programs to assure that improvements are made, when programs fail to meet defined standards. Past activities have included:

• Increased representation on Technical Review Committee from 2 to 4 members.

• Improved ranking system of projects submitted for funding, which is then utilized by the Technical Review Committee in determining funding choices.

• Creation of an appeal process, using a fax form to permit agencies an opportunity to challenge decisions of Technical Review Committee.

2008 Forum Planning Team
The four major presentations at the 2007 public forum on homelessness sponsored by the Ohio Coalition of Homeless Advocates in partnership with Columbus Coalition for the Homeless and titled "Housing Ex-Offenders: Identifying Barriers and Proposing Solutions can be found by clicking on "Incarceration and Homelssness" -Steve Metraoux, or "Re-entry and Housing the Ex-offender" -Angela Lee, or "Rural Initiatives" -Jonda Clemings, or "Urban Initiatives" -Mike Tynan.

This annual event is the only regular community wide public conversation about homelessness in Central Ohio. 

The details for 2008 Forum will be held on Weds. Oct 1st from 9am to 5pm at Riverside United Methodist Church (2701 Zollinger Rd.). Plans are still be worked out. But click here for the current version of the Agenda and WATCH here for more details as they are developed. 

Marsha Donner Mother's Day Brunch Planning Team
The annual celebration of this special day (which in 2009 will occur on Sunday, May 10 on the campus of Capital University) is an event to which all homeless or recently homeless mothers and their families are invited. We host a large celebration for these special people. We serve an excellent meal and provide mothers with wonderful gifts, all with the help of many volunteers and generous merchants. We invite community persons to join us in offering this party to these mothers and their families. If you would like to know more or volunteer to help just contact the Coalition Office at 614-228-1342 or columbushomeless@yahoo.com.

To read about and view photos (taken by Carey Schaeffer) from the 2007 Mother's Day Brunch click here.

Advocacy                                                                                           This committee meets regularly to assess areas where the Coalition can be a voice for better services, more focused services and prevention strategies. Much of this committee's work becomes agenda for discussion at the monthly membership meetings.

COMFEST                                                                                         We host an information booth Comfest each year. If you would like to provide volunteer help with this project, contact us at columbushomeless@yahoo.com or at 614-228-1342.