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 Coalition is in need of volunteers in several administrative areas. Almost all of our work and activities are made possible only with help from volunteers.  Since we do not provide direct services, we suggest that those individuals interested in working one to one with homeless persons should contact our member organizations.  We also maintain a list of Directors of Volunteers at most of the agencies which provide services to homeless persons and we will refer you to those agencies based on your interest in particular populations, e.g. children, persons in shelters, persons in need of employment, etc.  If you would like to help us work on our mission by volunteering please click here and complete the Volunteer Application and return it to us.

The Coalition needs help in the following areas and you can contact us at the same email address if you would like to help us with:

Fundraising:  Contacting corporations and individuals to develop viable methods of bring in dollars to operate the organization and support its programming.

Fiscal Management:  Working with our Treasurer to manage our Quick Books Accounting System, assuring compliance with proper fiscal procedures, including help in preparing the IRS 990, paying bills, etc.

Program Management:  Experience managing day to day operations, chairing committees, management of the VISTA Program, the education program and the annual events which are sponsored by the Coalition.

Marketing:  Promoting the Coalition and its events and programs to Columbus media outlets and potential donors.

Graphic Design:  Design of new brochure, newsletter, and posters needed for various events.

Street Speech:  Writing articles, conducting interviews and drawing cartoons for Coalition’s street newspaper, editing copy, transporting newspapers from printer to Coalition office.

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.

Forum Planning Team
This annual event, held in early October, is the only regular community wide public conversation about homelessness in Central Ohio. If you would like to join us in planning the 2010 Forum, please contact the Coalition Office at 614-228-1342 or info@columbushomeless.org.

Marsha Donner Mother's Day Brunch Planning Team
The annual celebration of this special day 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 info@columbushomeless.org.

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 info@columbushomeless.org or at 614-228-1342.

Interfaith Memorial Service                                                          Each year, on or near the shortest day of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless sponsors services of remembrance for those homeless and recently homeless people who have died on the streets of our cities. This service is a solemn occasion to remember these people and it is an occasion to raise the consciousness of the community about this horrible and unjust fact -people die on our streets every year. Columbus holds its annual celebration in conjunction with the national day of remembrance. A planning team from various interfaith backgrounds plans and implements this service in Central Ohio.