Hi everyone!

Firstly, I want to express how excited I am for this summer opportunity. My first week at the Huck House has been incredible.

My name is Emily Long, and I recently graduated from Ohio State with my undergraduate degree in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. This fall, I will be returning back to Ohio State for my masters in city and regional planning.  Over the past four years, I have fallen in love with Columbus. Through many opportunities, I have gotten to know the people who make the Columbus community so special.  These are passionate people who are driven to make our city the best it possibly can be. I am fortunate to have learned from so many inspiring leaders.

I love people. If you talk to my family, friends, coworkers, I am an extrovert. I am always interested in listening to everyone’s story. This is exactly why I am so excited about being at the Huckleberry House. For those of you who may not know, the Huck House is a 24/7 youth crisis shelter. I will be spending my summer helping to create an operations management plan for Project Safe Place. Safe Place helps youth in crisis get from where they are, to the Huck House.  If a youth in crisis goes to a designated Safe Place site, there will be people there to help transport the youth to safety.

Over this past week, I have been collecting information. Listening to stories. How do the youth get to Huck House? Do they feel safe? Where in the city are they coming from? All of this listening will help me build a better program. I want to plan with these children and not for them. The Huck House is filled with caring people who want the best for our children and our communities. I can’t wait to keep you all updated on Safe Place as our summer kicks off!