Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

I have completed one week and started a second week at the Broad Street Food Pantry, and it has been a great experience so far! So happy to finally begin and get the ball rolling. A quick overview of my project is that it has three aspects: making the food pantry more eco-friendly, volunteer friendly, and transportation friendly for clients.  The eco-friendly aspect is pretty straightforward.  In the volunteer realm, Kathy and I hope to find ways to let the volunteers know how appreciated their work is, and also make it easier for them to schedule hours and become properly trained.  Transportation is a big issue for some of the Pantry’s clients.  Imagine living even a few miles away, with no other mode of transportation than your own two feet, and attempting to carry 3 or 4 bags of groceries back home!  In the summer heat, no less.  I will admit: I occasionally have trouble trying to  man-handle my groceries from the store to my car.  Imagine if I had to walk the two miles back home!  I have already started work on each of these projects, you will hear more about that soon!

It might be good to explain why I was interested in the Broad Street Food Pantry when I applied. As I said in my application essay, “An eco-friendly food pantry benefits both our society and the earth that nourishes it.” I really believe this to be true.  The healthier our soil, air, and water, the better our earth will be able to sustain us.

One philosophy I live by is “A falling leaf affects the farthest star”. In a gist, everything we do has an effect, be it large or small, and every effect makes the world a little bit different, be it a large difference or a very small one. I think we should keep in our minds, every day, that each choice we make affects not only ourselves, but many others as well. The farmers who grow our food, the textile workers who make our clothes, the earth that supports us. Our daily choices affect the health and prosperity of other people and the health and prosperity of our planet.

This being said, even a small change in the Food Pantry (for example, using only natural, biodegradable cleaning products) will have an effect on its surrounding environment and the people who work and shop there. I hope to find as many ways as possible to change the Food Pantry for the better: to be better for the environment, a better place to volunteer, and an accessible place to help our neighbors who need it most. Not that the Food Pantry isn’t an amazing place already, but we must always strive for improvement! 🙂

This is a big project, and after my first week I have realized I will not have to find all of the answers on my own. I have met many people so far, each with a different and very valuable opinion. The people at Broad Street Food Pantry do so much for our community, and with all of our ideas together I believe we will be able to do even more in the weeks and months to come!

(Hanging out with the onions at our first Farmer’s Market!)

Have a great week everyone!

-Liz

One of the lessons emerging from my work at Local Matters is the importance of collaboration. I naively assumed that I would have to know everything and be an idea powerhouse to be a successful Fellow; however, it’s quickly becoming clear that there are a ton of seasoned co-op owners/workers/managers/gurus around the country that I can rely on for sound advice and brilliant ideas.

I spent most of yesterday on the phone with various people, gathering their insights on running a co-op and serving EBT customers. The two lengthiest conversations were with the membership director at Sevananda Natural Foods Market in Atlanta, and the membership director at the Wedge Community Co-op in Minneapolis. Both of these women provided expertise from years of experience, as well as a wealth of ideas for us to draw from when we open the Near East Side Co-op here in Columbus.

This is a photo of Sevananda’s storefront – welcoming and beautiful!

The Wedge’s storefront promotes a similarly professional and welcoming vibe.

…and here’s a Google Maps screenshot of one of the many possible locations for the Near East Side Co-op. Lots of work to do, huh?

The initial intent of my phone calls was to determine the demographic make-up of each co-op’s membership base, and to see how EBT benefits play into their annual income. Although I got all of this information in great detail, my conversations with the women at Sevananda and the Wedge evolved into dumping grounds for advice, ideas, and encouragement.

Sevananda operates multiple initiatives to give back to the community it serves. One notable example is its “Be the Change” program, which started in 1997 to make contributions to locally based non-profit organizations. Sevananda chooses twelve partners annually and gives to them in a variety of ways, including donating 1% of sales one day per month and allowing customers to round their purchase up to the nearest dollar to benefit the organizations. Since its inception, the program has provided thousands of dollars for 150 organizations.

The Wedge also gives back to its community through several programs. For one, shoppers that bring their own grocery bags are given “Green Patches,” which are credits that shoppers can donate to community gardens and other community organizations. “WedgeShare” is another initiative that grants funds to organizations whose missions align closely with that of the Wedge. The Wedge also operates its own organic farm, which supplies the co-op with produce as well as acting as an educational arena to train organic farmers.

At the beginning of this project, I was viewing the Near East Side Co-op as an island within the community. Thanks to the insight of everyone who I’ve crossed paths with so far, my perspective is shifting to view the co-op as a conduit for community building and collaboration. The opening of the Near East Side Co-op will do more than provide access to healthy food; it also has the potential to partner with other local businesses and create a vibrant community full of partnership, synergy, and mutual benefit.

At first I was a little disappointed that right after graduating from THE Ohio State University I would be starting work the following day in Columbus, Ohio.  So many of my friends had weeks or months off before starting the next step in a different city, state, or country even.  However, this week was amazing and I couldn’t imagine a better, more uplifting way to start my summer as an alumna beginning to find my career path.

I work for the AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio), specifically in the development office. ARC Ohio is a wonderful organization in terms of mission, beliefs, and programs.  The office is comprised of a development, prevention, treatment, and financial office in a broad sense. Overall, we aim to provide our clients with comprehensive assistance, from anonymous, free HIV testing to determine status to treatment options with prescription drugs to assisting with rent, utility, and food bills.  There can be a downward spiral with a positive HIV diagnosis that begins with increasing medical bills and leads to making difficult choices between upholding prescription regimes or eating and sleeping with a roof over your head.  I’m so proud to be working for an organization that truly saves lives in every sense imaginable.

This week I hit the ground running.  This summer I am responsible for devising my own outreach plan to recruit volunteers for a Street Team to raise interested in our AIDS Walk in September and to also form partnerships that lead to financial sponsorship or advertisement.  On the agenda this week was tabling at (614) Day and Pride.

(614) Day was put on by the Harmony Project, a choir that bases its membership on volunteering–so. cool.  It was also co-hosted by (614) Magazine.  I had a great time at Park Patio and Grille, talking to people interested in volunteering and also normal bar patrons that were curious to see what all the tables were about!  Overall, it was a successful event for ARC Ohio.  I event landed a video spot on the CW Columbus’s Columbus Bicentennial Blog!  We had so many people interested in our events and organization.  I’m sure the free stickers, condoms, and suckers helped though 🙂

I also got to table at our Pride Parade and Festival this weekend, which was an event I always missed because I have never been in Columbus for the summer.  It was a great day, though.  Pride made me remember how lucky I am to live in such a progressive, inclusive, metropolitan community that makes great efforts to value people of all walks of life.  I certainly met some characters as they came by our booth.  Some were completely decked out in rainbow boas, glitter, heels, fishnets, body paint, flags, posters; you name it, I probably saw it!  It was so much fun to see people wear their pride, whether it was an outward declaration about themselves or support for a friend or family member.

The moment that impacted me the most though was when people came up to our booth and said “You guys literally saved my life,” “Without you, I would have died years ago,” and “If it hadn’t been for your organization, I would have watched some of my family members and friends die.”  It moved me and made me proud to be working for ARC Ohio.  My boss had told me that our CEO always asks, “Have you saved a life today?” when he comes in from Dayton, but being at Pride and hearing the stories of some of our clients while having the freedom to be themselves (gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, etc.) drove that fundamental idea home to me.  I am part of a grassroots nonprofit in Columbus, Ohio, a city that has given me some much in addition to my education, that saves people from a disease that has no cure.

As I packed up our table yesterday, I couldn’t help but think that it was more than serendipity that led me to this position.  It reaffirmed for me the importance of any position I have to be for a great cause with a nonprofit organization.  It also gave me the fuel to power through this next week with only one day off and sparked so many ideas for my outreach campaign.  I am excited for what this summer will bring!

–Katie

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless is a small grassroots non-profit with the purpose of providing resources for the homeless.  Since it is a small agency I am able to have more control over my work and see the products of my work.  For example, on the third day of my fellowship I was able to review and change part of the Street Speech, a newspaper that the homeless population sells.  If I worked with the Columbus Dispatch I doubt I would be given this opportunity so quickly.

My first job is updating the Streetcard, which is a resource pamphlet for the homeless population.  Initially, I thought this job would take only a couple days to complete.  However, I found out that I really need to understand the organization, the resources in Columbus, and what the community needs to do a good job.  I have been listening to the current employees/board members/volunteers talk about resources in the community, calling the agencies on the current Streetcard to verify the information, and talking with homeless people about which resources they use and don’t use.  This collaboration and patience is needed for the Streetcard to benefit the homeless population.

In addition to the Streetcard I have helped to sell the Street Speech newspapers.  I am glad to see how well it is run.  Many people believe that non-profits/government agencies run inefficiently and ineffectively.  However, I believe this newspaper is a strong and well-organized system.  There is an Excel sheet which documents how many papers are sold to the homeless vendors and how much money is being generated.  Also, there is a system about where the vendors are allowed to stand and incentives in place to allow successful vendors to have priority where they want to stand.   

I have noticed that the sales pitch of the vendors vary in effectiveness.  I would like to get a successful vendor to come in and speak about what they do to in order to help new vendors.  I believe this workshop will improve the sales of new vendors.

My second job is to identify a start-up to employ homeless people.  Currently, it is too early to know what I will need to do achieve this.  The Street Speech seems like a great job to provide quick money to this population.   

I am very thankful for this opportunity to work with The Homeless Families Foundation, and my Summer Fellowship is off to a great start! Earlier this week, I was able to tour The Dowd Education Center… WOW! I was really blown away by what I experienced and what I learned. The Dowd Education Center is somewhat tucked away from Broad Street, so many people may not be aware of its location. But I truly hope that EVERYONE in Columbus is made aware of the incredible impact that The Dowd Education Center has on the children of our community.

The Dowd Center is such an amazing place, with extremely talented, compassionate, and dedicated leaders, teachers, and staff members. Each room is alive with colorful murals that not only brighten your spirit, but also provide meaning and insight into the history of The Dowd Education Center and the children whose lives have been so positively impacted.

If you haven’t been to The Dowd Education Center, you can watch a video at the following link (and feel free to spread the word… you can share this link with others!)… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqf7SZpsymU

So in recognition of all of the incredible work that is being done for children at the Dowd Center, I definitely feel pressure to deliver meaningful results this summer. My goal is to complete a transportation feasibility study in order to ensure that children can continue to be safely transported to and from The Dowd Education Center. More to come!

Monday marked the first day of the 2012 Summer Fellowship Program, and I have to say I am incredibly excited! I’ll take this first post as an opportunity to introduce myself and the organization with which I will be working.

On graduation day!

My name is Melissa Papic, and I am a recent graduate of Ohio University, where my major area of study was Health Services Administration, with minors in Business Administration and German, and a Global Leadership Certificate. I graduated in March, and since then have been working at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs as a research assistant. Originally I am from Grove City, Ohio (just south of Columbus) and it is going to be a great summer at home, and most likely the last summer at here for a few years! I plan to make the most of this summer through the fellowship and through getting involved with community events.

I am honored to work as a fellow this summer, as I serve the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. The ‘Association’s’ mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

I have been charged with evaluating the Americorp VISTA SHARECorps Summer Associate Program, answering the question, What impact do VISTA volunteer have on summer feeding programs?. I am fortunate to have the guidance of mentors from the Voinovich School , giving me the opportunity to continue relationships with colleagues that I have worked with for the past year (didn’t have to say my ‘goodbyes’ just yet).

This first week has involved a lot of bringing myself up to speed on the research project. This has involved a lot of reading, organizing, discussing and THINKING! I was also able to visit four Summer Food Service Programs near Dayton, which was a great opportunity to see first hand where the Summer Associates are working this summer and how the programs are operated. On Wednesday, myself and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks’ Fellow were given research training by the Voinovich School, so that we could begin our projects effectively and have a scope of what the next nine weeks will require and entail.

I have to say that this is going to be a challenging, but incredibly rewarding summer. I am excited to rise to the challenge as I begin really delving into the research and producing a meaningful research product.

Until next time!

I am in the midst of a tremendously busy time in my life. Not only am I working at Local Matters this summer through this Fellowship, I am also finishing up my master’s degree at Ohio State (freedom comes on July 13th… providing I pass my thesis defense!), as well as taking a yoga teacher training through Balanced Yoga. This mix of responsibilities is consuming every one of my waking hours, but the diversity of the lessons I am learning keeps things interesting.

The reason I share this is because during my first week here at Local Matters, I’ve found myself drawing upon a concept that I learned at yoga teacher training. The concept is “adhikara,” which translates to “qualification.” The project that I’ve been plugged in to at Local Matters is to aid with the opening of a community food cooperative in the Near East Side of Columbus. I’m in charge of producing a document that will act as a blueprint for other cities around the nation that may want to open a food co-op in a low-income neighborhood. When I heard that this was my job, I was incredibly excited, but also terrified; I know very little about business models, about the history of the Near East Side, etc. etc. etc. In other words, I didn’t feel qualified to complete the job I was given. My lack of knowledge made it very easy for me to panic – until I remembered adhikara.

At this point in my life, I haven’t learned the exact lessons needed to know everything about cooperative business models or the economic history of Columbus neighborhoods. Therefore, at this moment in time, I’m not qualified to produce the document that Local Matters wants. However, I am qualified to act and get myself to a place where I am qualified. I’m equipped with the tools to learn – I have passionate and intelligent co-workers, access to an enormous library at Ohio State (and there’s always wikipedia, too!), and ten weeks of time to do thorough research and dive into the subject matter that will help me fulfill the tasks I’ve been given. Adhikara has helped me realize that I’m not an expert in the subject areas that this project deals with yet, but I am competent in other subject areas (such as research, writing, interviewing, and critical thinking) that will help me gain the knowledge I need.

Hopefully by the end of these ten weeks, I will be able to add a couple new skills to my tool belt. In order for that to happen, I will need to diligently hone those skills. That being said, I’m signing off now to continue my research and get a little bit closer to having the qualifications I need!

We look forward to introducing you to them after they start on June 11^th.
Please plan to follow this blog all summer long as the Fellows post about their experiences, challenges, and successes through this summer’s opportunity.
To learn more about the 2012 class of summer fellows, visit the 2012 Fellows page.