Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

After the fast-paced, high-energy environment of the first week of young campers, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Teen Week, the session of art camp designed for students grade 6 through grade 12. Before I would find out, I had a couple of days of organization and a morning of education ahead of me. 

The first two days of this week called for cleanup of the prior week’s classes and setup for the teen camp classes which would begin on Wednesday, as well as assisting the museum staff with office organization. I was eager to help however needed and my eagerness was rewarded with a task I very much enjoyed – a practical scavenger hunt involving identifying and labeling all of the keys to various doors, display cases, and cabinets throughout the building. I felt like a sleuth, testing and finding the right match! 

This week’s educational meeting with the Columbus Foundation spurred a lot of reflection for me. Through a guided discussion, we explored what being a leader means to each of us. We talked about how “inspirers” lead with their “why” – their motivation and what they believe in which moves them to be the leaders and positive people that they are. I came to realize that my “why” is my belief that everyone deserves kindness and assistance, and that it’s important that I do all that I can to offer kindness and assistance to everyone. I have always known that I have the capacity to care and empathize, and likewise have long desired to help people in ways that are meaningful to them. I realize that this can be through life enrichment activities like art, or simply by making the world of another a little easier by lending a helping hand with a daunting task. I did not anticipate that so soon after this reflection I would have my “why” reinforced. 

Individual camper needs varied widely, meaning the level of involvement and assistance needed from me as a facilitator was very different from the week prior with the younger kids. Some did not need any support from me apart from my basic role as a project facilitator (gathering materials, assisting with clean up, etc.), and others needed more interactive support. Often that came in the form of suggesting alternative projects or activities to focus on, or helping deal with the frustrations of a project not turning out as anticipated. Overall, I focused my energy on meeting individual campers where they were, and working with them to cultivate a comfortable and enriching experience. 

With the teen campers, the connection made between us was not expressed in the same way as that of the younger campers, such as through hugs or drawings gifted to me. Rather the connection was through simpler interactions that on the surface may seem inconsequential, but to me reinforced that my efforts to connect with and support them had been meaningful. I observed this in campers asking me for help with materials or for input on a project, and sharing what they would be doing after camp. 

This week has definitely deepened my interest and curiosity surrounding different methods of meaningful connection, as well as shown me that these connections can be through practical contributions or emotional support, or anywhere in between! All of it matters, and all of it makes a difference. 

Week 2 has been yet another experience of riding the wave and taking in all that I can. I spent a lot of time sitting in on different meetings regarding the upcoming ribbon cutting event for the new school based health center in Grove Port Madison. It was interesting getting to see all the background and all the moving parts that are necessary to put together an event like this. I think that it was an interesting experience to see the communication with media outlets, community partners, and different departments merging together. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday June 15th at the new Groveport Madison location. School based health centers are so important and vital for the community. “School based health centers help ensure students are in school, ready to learn through a school or districts partnerships with health care providers and other community organizations” (ohio.gov). There is a critical connection between healthcare and education, and this connection is so important. Primary One Health and Groveport Madison combined their strengths to create this fully grant funded and operationalized by Primary One Health facility that provides behavioral health, primary care, dental services, and vision services to the people of the Grove port community. The physical structure is beautiful, colorful, inviting, and has all the necessary components for a fully functioning health care center. The ribbon cutting included city council members, Primary One Health CEO Charleta Tavares, Super attendant of Grove City, Primary One Health board member, and other city leaders. It was a great representation of people from Primary One Health and community members of Groveport Madison. There was a lot of passion and excitement that was surging through the crowd. After the ribbon cutting there was lots of food, and a tour of the new facility. It was a great opportunity to be able to talk with different Primary One Health colleagues and get to know them better. I thought it was such a full circle moment to hear about all the planning and coordination, the set up, and then the actual event. Not to mention the US Navy Blue Angels were practicing their upcoming weekend show and flew over with perfect timing which added to the excitement of the attendees. I am excited to see all that is to come of the SBHC and all the good it will do for the community.

I am excited to continue to learn and grow through this experience, and look forward to what is to come in this upcoming week.

Going into my second week at CXC was a bit rough, personally. Over the weekend I was supposed to participate at S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo. There I would’ve helped man the CXC press table, selling shirts and posters for donations to support CXC and raising interest in the event for passersby. Unfortunately, I could not attend S.P.A.C.E. because of an ill-timed ankle sprain. While this was disappointing, and a bit painful, on the plus side my primary responsibilities at CXC let me work from home, with or without a swollen ankle.

Taking the opportunity, I’ll segue this post into talking about my role at CXC and what, exactly, I do. While I try to be as flexible as possible and help with in-person events or other miscellaneous tasks needed, my role can best be described as a marketing fellow. My daily tasks currently involve researching local media outlets, clubs and interests groups, and academic and professional contacts, to assess their relevance and potential interest in CXC. We utilize all kinds of avenues to generate interest and support in our festival, including digital media, print, radio, social media, and word of mouth. While my role at CXC will continue to change as our needs change, continued press and marketing are vital in the coming months as we prepare for the festival in late September. Additionally, it’s my hope that the work I do now will continue to provide benefits through the years, as the contacts, partnerships, and relationships I establish now continue long after I’ve finished my time with CXC.

That being said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t link our website, where you can find more about us and information about this year’s festival, including an overview of this years’ special guests. You can also see the different ways to support us, either through volunteering or donating, if you’re feeling particularly generous.

The second week at RMHC Central Ohio was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to build stronger connections with the dedicated staff members, benefiting greatly from their diverse perspectives and expertise. Throughout the week, my main focus was on completing the scavenger hunt project, which is now nearing completion. Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting two other high school interns who impressed me with their remarkable abilities. Sharing an office space with them allowed for meaningful conversations during our downtime.

One standout moment from this week was the amazing task of filming content for the culinary camp. This unique program not only teaches children cooking skills but also provides them with an understanding of how the Ronald McDonald House operates and the impact of cooking for families. It was truly gratifying to witness the joy on the children’s faces as they explored the world of culinary arts, and to see how the stories of the families staying at the house resonated with them.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my time at RMHC is witnessing the profound impact this charity has on the lives of others. Working in the house, which constantly welcomes families and children, I have had the privilege of assisting families in the computer room by helping them print important medical forms. The gratitude expressed by these families serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role that RMHC plays in supporting them during difficult times.

A particular highlight of the week was the opportunity to contribute to the Columbus Crew’s 614 day event. This event, aimed at promoting soccer and community engagement among young children, allowed us to set up an informative booth about the Ronald McDonald House. It was a delight to interact with the enthusiastic children, watching them enjoy soccer matches with their friends! Meeting some of the Crew players added an extra layer of excitement to the experience, making it a truly unforgettable moment!

I am so grateful for these experiences, and I am loving every second of this internship. Thanks for following along!

When going into my second week of being at Central, one word I might describe myself is OVERWHELMED! I would say overwhelmed in a healthy and growing way. I recently noticed I didn’t introduce myself in my last journal entry…… 

Hello everyone, my name is Jennatta Mensah. I am currently a junior at Otterbein University double majoring in Public Health Education and Health Communication. Growing up I spent most of my childhood at Saint Stephens Community House, a supplement house familiar to Central Community House. Saint Stephens gave me the opportunity to have fresh fruits and vegetables, attend and make social connections at summer camp and have a place where I could go and feel safe. Supplement houses mean a lot to me because they helped me more than I could know growing up.  

While taking in the environment at Central, I can’t help but be happy to be here in this amazing space. Summer camp has started and all you hear is children having fun while learning. While summer camp is in session, our senior program TAP is starting. TAP is the Technology Access Program, a program that supports seniors on learning how to navigate on different devices. Our youth at Transit Arts are working on their upcoming open mic & water dance performance. There’s so much going on at Central, I could never get bored. I’m reminded of my childhood of being able to just go to St Stephens and to be able to participate in any program and feel welcomed.

Here at Central, we have the mission statement of empowering people to reach their full potential, be self-supporting, and live cooperatively with all others by building a community that meets the needs and nourishes the creative aspirations of one another. I see this mission being completed every day I come to work, and it’s only been two weeks. I cannot imagine what will grow to see in the next 9 weeks of the program. 

On Monday, JFS welcomed Columbus City Schools teachers in the Korda Institute’s fellowship program. The teachers were given a presentation about JFS’ resettlement programs and the subsequent challenges refugees face after coming to the United States. Topics ranged from difficulties accessing transportation, adequate and affordable housing, troubles gaining employment, and language barriers. After the presentation, the teachers were given a task: pick one of the areas discussed and try to solve it. The meeting was a success. The teachers were eager and attentive, and JFS staff were given the opportunity to share their stories and insights. Tomorrow (Friday), JFS, other stakeholders, and the teachers will convene to see what solutions the teachers came up with. I’m excited for the presentations – I’m a believer in collaboration and am eager to see how these new ideas can help us better serve our neighbors.

The rest of this week has been me conducting research for my project. For the summer, I will be putting together a marketing and engagement plan for JFS. I’m currently spending my time researching best practices for different methods of communication – email, social media, in-person events, direct mailers, etc. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle – as I go over each portion, I have to make sure the best practices are reasonable and achievable given organizational capacity. Which brings me to what I spent my time doing when I wasn’t combing through articles: I was in meetings. Researching strategies and best practices is only one part of my learning – the other is talking to those who have expertise and absorbing their knowledge.

The first meeting I had was with my supervisor. I check in with her semi-frequently to make sure that I am always moving towards what she, and JFS, are looking for out of this project. We also discussed the communications goals that had been set in a meeting that morning – I followed up with another director, who helps with communications, and then began weaving them into my plan. At the end of the day today, I got to meet with a colleague of mine who works at another nonprofit in Columbus. She specializes in donor stewardship, fundraising, and does communications work. She and I met through a project I did this past spring semester. I spent the hour hearing about her tips and tricks for recognition and retention of different stakeholders. I’m very grateful that she was able to meet with me – I received much guidance.

All in all, I spent this week sharpening my skills in collaboration and research. I’m excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store and how I will continue to grow as a professional.

Hello! My name is Madeline Murch, and I am a passionate student of Marketing and HR Management at the University of South Carolina. Born and raised in New Albany, Ohio, I have called this place my home for as long as I can remember. It is with great enthusiasm and a strong desire to make a difference that I am embarking on an internship with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio this summer.

As my first week of the Columbus Foundation Fellowship began, we kicked things off with an orientation session. This allowed me to get acquainted with fellow participants and gain a deeper understanding of the program as a whole. Engaging in creative activities and self-exploration, we bonded as a group and discovered how our unique traits and personal challenges can bring us together in powerful ways.

Prior to starting the fellowship, I had already been actively involved as a volunteer at RMHC of Central Ohio for the past month. During that time, I dedicated my efforts to assisting with social media management and learning about visual communications. This experience provided me with valuable insights and knowledge that allowed me to seamlessly transition into my internship role.

One of the exciting projects that I have been entrusted with is the planning of a monumental expansion that will soon open its doors this winter. With over eighty new guest rooms being added, this Ronald McDonald House will become the largest in the world. Being a part of such a significant endeavor fills me with a sense of pride and gratitude.

My specific responsibility revolves around organizing a grand scavenger hunt to be held at the new expansion, while promoting it through social media platforms. This entails designing routes, structuring the game, reaching out to donors for support, and devising unique strategies to captivate attention and create buzz. I have already begun outlining my ideas and plans, eager to make this event a memorable experience for all involved.

After completing my first week, I am energized and eager to dive back in and continue working on my projects. It is an incredible feeling to be entrusted with such a significant undertaking and to be a part of an inspiring team. I am fully aware that this internship will be a transformative experience, and I am excited to share my journey with all of you.

Thank you for joining me on this exciting chapter of my life, and I look forward to updating you on the progress and impact of my work with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio!

Hello! I’m Ruby Lobert, a rising senior at The Ohio State University. I’m getting a Bachelor’s in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy with a Specialization in Nonprofit Management and a Minor in Human Rights. For the next ten weeks, I’ll be working at Jewish Family Services as a Marketing and Communications Intern. I’m beyond excited and grateful for this opportunity – it’s been a goal of mine to delve into nonprofit work, and now I have finally started.

Jewish Family Services mission is to help “individuals and families achieve economic self sufficiency and emotional stability.” They are guided by the Jewish value Tikkun olam. It means to repair the world. To achieve this goal, JFS provides a wide variety of services, including: free financial counseling, resettlement coordination and assistance for refugees, supports for job seekers anywhere from young to seasoned professionals, mental health services, and more.

This first week has been packed with learning experiences, new faces, and a lot of excitement. On Tuesday, for example, I was taking a tour of the JFS building with my supervisor and I got to meet the CEO, Ms. Karen Mozenter, as well as many directors, managers, and staff. Shortly thereafter, I helped load up cars for a senior luncheon happening down the street. I also helped unload, set up, and serve food. Actions like these may seem small, but as people continued to stick their head in the kitchen to tell us thank you, that they appreciated us for doing this, and that they loved the event, it demonstrated how even acting for the benefit of one makes all the difference.

I’ve also been able to sit in on director level meetings this week, going over communications and social media strategy as well as general resource development for JFS. Every day is different, which I appreciate. It means I’ll continue to learn and grow throughout these next ten weeks as things evolve over time. Since day one, my time at JFS has been very hands on, and I’m very excited to continue.

As a late bloomer, I know it is never too late to live your best life. My first week at my summer fellowship with At Home By High is the perfect example. Having the pleasure of facilitating the bingo game at the weekly coffee meet-up with clients at a local library, you quickly see that they are lively, youthful souls. This week was especially special for them because Community Properties of Ohio hosted a senior prom for their residents. For some, just like the high schoolers, it was their first prom. That meant an err of excitement and preparation for the big day night. It was a joy to see the residents and clients all dressed up and ready to have a good time with the residents from the other properties.

Youthful at heart, but physically the seniors’ bodies are saying something else; two medical students from OSU began the weekly meeting with a presentation on fall prevention and risk factors from improper shoes to rugs. They pointed out that falls can often be fatal due to solitude and delay in medical response. The most common location of falls are at home. So if you have an aging or senior neighbor, periodically check in on them, especially in the summer months, and encourage socialization among their peers and intergenerational. With intergenerational connections, not only do they learn from each other, but it also tends to keep them healthier and socially thriving.

Helping a person aging in place and maintaining healthy social connections is needed to support local communities. Social services like At Home By High allow aging populations to actively support local businesses they would not typically be able to enjoy like Saucy Brew Works, where we all had lunch this week. Often the aging and disabled residents are limited to their building or block due to fixed income, mobility, or lack of transportation. Physical and social isolation often leads to mental and physical unhealthiness. So check on your aging neighbors, get to know them, and help them in any way you can. Intergenerational connections are vital for healthy, equitable neighbors. Both parties benefit from learning from each other. For aging persons, being active and social could mean a longer and healthier life. This week, taking pictures of the clients excited and dressed up before their yearly prom and lunch at Saucy showed me it is always possible to do things like prom or try something new outside the block. So explore local businesses and try something new even if you think you’re too old.

Jam sessions, rainbow markers, and feelings check-ins kicked off my first week working at WAV’s youth summer camp this June. My name is Gigi Cox and I will graduate from Ohio State this Summer from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs with a BA in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. I am also pursuing a nonprofit specialization, which led me to apply for the fellowship with the Columbus Foundation this Summer. I am very excited to have been paired with WAV this summer to learn more about working for a nonprofit and get to explore my creative side, and week one has had a lot of excitement already!

My role so far has been assisting with the summer camp activities for students, which fall under topics of social-emotional learning, self-efficacy and self-advocacy, songwriting, creative expression and fine arts, and invention and innovation. We have middle school and elementary school students, and as we get started we are splitting them up into different sites. I am excited to work more closely with the younger students as the month continues and see how they grow throughout the program. This week has required a lot of flexibility and problem-solving, and I am proud of how much the rest of the staff and myself have been able to make adjustments and give the kids a great experience. 

The camp is only through the month of June so I am looking forward to getting different experiences throughout the Summer. Right now I am doing a lot of work with hands-on programming, and I hope to get to look more behind the scenes and learn from each of the staff members at WAV as the Summer progresses. I am already feeling more comfortable at my site and I cannot wait to get more involved and learn so much more next week!