Columbus Foundation Fellowship Programs

In my fourth week of being the Columbus Foundation Fellowship at Central Community House, I am thrilled to share how I am breaking free from my shell and embracing the non-profit world. Initially feeling scared about entering this unfamiliar territory, my time at Central Community House has been nothing but joyful. Each day brings new challenges, I am finding the confidence to make a meaningful impact. 

One of the most significant realizations during my fellowship has been discovering my purpose within the non-profit world. Central Community House’s mission to empower the lives of individuals and families in the near east community has ignited a deep sense of purpose within me. From assisting with program development to helping plan community events, I am actively contributing to the organization’s mission and making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. 

Building relationships has been a key aspect of my journey. I have had the privilege of connecting with dedicated staff members, passionate volunteers, and members of the community. These relationships have provided me with guidance, mentorship, and diverse perspectives. I am finding support and inspiration to push beyond my comfort zone. 

With each passing week, I am gaining the confidence to take initiative and make a meaningful impact. I am actively participating in team meetings, suggesting new ideas, and giving new projects a spin. The non-profit world demands proactivity, and I am learning to trust my instincts, tap into my creativity, and offer fresh perspectives to drive positive change. 

As I look ahead to the remaining weeks of my fellowship, I am filled with excitement and a sense of purpose. While challenges may arise, I am confident in my ability to navigate them with resilience. The non-profit world has proven to be a space where personal growth intertwines with community impact, and I am eager to continue learning, evolving, and making a meaningful difference. 

My fourth week at Central Community House has been a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. Breaking out of my shell, I am embracing the non-profit world with enthusiasm, passion, and a commitment to creating lasting positive change. The opportunity to contribute to the organization’s mission and engage with the community has been both humbling and inspiring. I am grateful for this fellowship experience and excited about the journey ahead. 

This week has been filled with a lot of great and meaningful experiences from Primary One Health filled with lots of connective conversations with so many different people throughout the organization. I have enjoyed getting to know my colleagues and I am excited to grow my relationships with them as I continue through the summer. I feel like I am starting to find my place, and feel grateful to be attending a lot of perfect meetings and working on interesting projects. I had the joy of getting to attend the Make a Day event where I worked alongside one of my colleagues who had the most inspiring story. His story was that of great inspiration, and I felt such a strong connection to his passion. His passion is the same as my own passion, even though circumstances and fate have dealt us both different cards in life our combined passion is what drives us. Listening to his story and hearing of all he has overcome I felt such an admiration for a man who has overcome so much, and yet has committed his career to the service of others. That takes grit, grace, and faith. Faith in the capacity of others to be able to help. He mentioned that he was not ready for help for almost fifty years or his life, and he said “one I was ready to accept help I realized that there were so many resources and help was here in Columbus” He is celebrating 20 years of sobriety and almost his 10 year anniversary at P1H.

During our Fellows meeting we talked about our why. When we were asked about this question I had to challenge myself. Ok Rose what is your why? I think I have a surface level why but when I dig deeper I feel a grounding in my why that was somewhat reaffirmed when I was speaking with my colleague. My why is: to help individual’s access basic needs such as healthcare, quality education, nutrition, etc. so that everyone can have an equitable life and opportunities. Equality isn’t always the answer when there are systemic barriers, and cyclical disparities: equity and serving people the way that they need in ways that are specific to their situation, population, and community is how I believe real change can be addressed. For as long as I can remember I have always had an innate calling to helping others. I find myself leading with empathy and I want to make an impact on the world and make my community better. I have always had the inside of me guiding my decisions, and guiding where I am today. A deeper part of my why is intrinsically connected to that disposition. I have been afforded a very privileged life and with that privilege I carry a deep responsibility to use my privilege to be able to uplift and serve those who do not have the same privilege as me. I will never understand what it is like to be in a different position than the one I have been placed in but I can dedicate my life to listening, learning, and connecting with all people. I want to end the systemic injustices, cyclical nature of society so that the dignity and humanity of all humans is honored and I believe this can be done by listening, meeting people where they are, and intentional action. My why is the desire that every person’s humanity is dignified and the empathy, grace, and kindness are at the forefront of change in our society and that every person has basic human rights. I want to be the person that people can count on, raise a voice for the silenced, and help people access resources so that they can be successful. When I was speaking with my colleague he said out stories may be different but we are sitting in the same chair today, and when he spoke about how there is help out there in the community, my desire is to be that person that shows up and can be a catalysts in changing the lives of those in my community.

Painting canvases, balloon races, and shaving week art closed out the final week of our summer program at WAV. We have had a whole month filled with music and art activities that made for a really exciting experience for the kids we had, and I am going to miss them and the other summer staff members a lot.

Today we all talked about what we learned from camp this summer. One camper said she learned to take care of herself, another said she learned she can be smart and learn, and another told a story about how she didn’t like everyone at first but after playing games with them she looked past her initial judgments. My favorite was from our youngest camper, who said he learned he can always make friends. Even with their brief answers, I can tell they listened to our wellness tips and that our social-emotional learning activities stuck with them at least a little bit. 

Our coaches also shared what we learned this summer, from learning how to start fresh every day to learning to not get too caught up in the details when it’s about the experience. We definitely had a rough start all being new staff for a new program, but we figured it out and adjusted as we went. Now at the end of the month, I am glad I got such hands-on experience with the programming and I got to see what WAV was all about from the start of the fellowship. I feel like I have a better lens as I go forward and work on other projects. 

WAV programming always includes a feelings check-in, and every morning we went around and talked about what feelings we were bringing into the day. I shared that what I learned most from this month was how important it is to check in with each other and know when extra support is needed. At the end of Week 4, I am feeling a little tired, proud, and excited for a change of pace as I learn even more each week. 

Shelly, our executive director, went out of town this week. Her sister is due to have her baby any day and she went home to be with her family. Since we are an organization of two, that left me alone this week. Shelly gave me a laundry list of things to do while she was away. I have been slowly chugging away at that list.

After all the prep of Green Drinks last week, we held the event on Wednesday night. We had a script typed up for our emcee to use for trivia, we had a scoring sheet created and we had a table set up with merchandise and information about our nonprofit. We had enough people come to create five teams. My personal favorite question was “How many elephants’ worth of material is landfilled per day in central Ohio?” Answer is 720 elephants, or 3,600 tons (source: SWACO). Green Drinks was a lot of fun and it was a great opportunity for me to meet more members of the board.

The rest of this week I have been working on our membership model and looking into adding a business level partnership. Our plan is to present our research and ideas to the board next week at the board meeting. I have also started the process of writing our first ever newsletter, and Shelly gave me the distinct pleasure of going to our storage unit to take inventory. We have a lot of excess shirts and sweatshirts from Earth Day that we need to track and try to sell. Keep your eye out for our online sale / fundraiser soon!

After Green Drinks on Wednesday the president of our board asked me if there was anything specific I wanted to grow my skills in. Honestly, I do not know what areas of skill I want to grow in or invest in. Dr. Lomax asked us a similar question this week at the Columbus Foundation. He asked us to define our why, and that determines our what. I think part of this experience for me is clarifying my why, and that will hopefully lead me to develop my what.

It has now been an incredibly rewarding four weeks since I embarked on my fellowship at the Ronald McDonald House Columbus. This opportunity has allowed me to actively participate in remarkable projects and gain a profound understanding of the purpose behind this exceptional charity. Collaborating with my dedicated team has fostered a strong bond, fueled by our shared passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others. As I reflect on the past month, I am overwhelmed by the wealth of knowledge I have acquired regarding the Ronald McDonald House and the challenges associated with funding a non-profit organization.

One of the most striking aspects I’ve noticed during my time here is the stark contrast between marketing for a non-profit and marketing for a for-profit venture. While both involve a certain level of drive, promoting a non-profit organization demands a unique kind of passion and perseverance. At RMHC, effectively advertising all our initiatives becomes crucial to keep our donors engaged and sustain the operations of the house. A well-executed marketing plan is not just a means to increase awareness but also a lifeline that ensures our ability to provide support and care for families in need.

However, amidst the challenges encountered while devising a marketing plan, I have discovered the value of incorporating genuine human connections into our content. Encouraging individuals to step in front of the camera has been a hurdle, but it has also proven to be immensely rewarding. I continually remind myself that videos and posts featuring real people outperform those without. The adage “people love to see people” resounds in my mind as I strive to capture the stories, experiences, and emotions of those whose lives have been touched by RMHC.

During my time at the Ronald McDonald House Columbus, I have not only immersed myself in the various projects but also familiarized myself with the inner workings of the house. One particular aspect that has left a lasting impression is getting to know my way around the facility and witnessing the incredible dedication of the volunteers in the kitchen. It has been awe-inspiring to watch these selfless individuals come together to cook meals for over 100 people, ensuring that families staying at the house have warm, comforting food during their challenging times.

In conclusion, my time at the Ronald McDonald House Columbus has been an invaluable experience thus far. It has allowed me to witness firsthand the incredible impact that a dedicated team, combined with effective marketing and unwavering passion, can have on the lives of those in need. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and I eagerly anticipate the next phase of my journey as I continue to make a difference and create meaningful connections through my work at RMHC.

This week I have begun to feel very comfortable in my role. I feel like I have a good relationship with all of my coworkers as well as the families and kids that come to the office for programs and services. I feel well acquainted enough with the organization at this point to be able to jump in on various tasks and projects between my larger responsibilities. This week has been fairly slow around the office because Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest holidays in Islam, was this week. Eid Mubarak to all the friends who celebrate! While many families were out enjoying picnics and time with family, I was condensing and cleaning out our donor and volunteer database! However, I am happy to do this – I know it helps my supervisors and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our organization. It has been helpful to learn that the small, mundane tasks allow the bigger, more exciting things to come to fruition, and staying on top of these responsibilities ensures the health of the organization and its ability to provide crucial services.

I learned two interesting things about grants this week. First, some have time constraints within which the organization has to spend the funds. Right now, we are trying to catch up spending for maintenance and improvements. This means I got to do a lot of online shopping today, which I am very good at so this is the perfect task for me. Second, I learned that the guidelines an organization must adhere to when applying for a grant are often far more strict that you would think. This is especially true for small organizations. We were recently trying to decide whether to stretch ourselves a little bit in order to fit a grant’s requirements or wait until next year when we have more capacity to actually fill the grant requirements. Stretching ourselves would have likely involved developing a whole new program to submit for funding, and hiring and entirely new person to run this program. I enjoy engaging in these kinds of cost-benefit analyses and seeing how each organization may do this differently and how important various factors are to the evaluation.

Our summer reading program is nearing its end. While this is sad, and will mean a lot less quality time spent with all the kids we have come to love so much, it is also exciting! It means another successful year of summer reading under the RIC’s belt and one of my first big accomplishments as a recent college graduate. It also means we are close to the ice cream party meant to celebrate the end of summer reading! The kids can’t stop talking about it and, honestly, I can’t either!

I would sum up week three at Green Columbus as mundane, ordinary.

I spent time this week working on our Green Drinks Event. Green Drinks is an event that is held all around the world. It occurs in over 500 countries. Once a month there are lectures or environmental topics discussed at the events. Green Columbus was created by a group of people who got together for Green Drinks. They discussed their shared interest in trees and beer. Green Columbus has agreed to always host Green Drinks once a month as long as people who care about the environment want to keep going. Green Drinks is typically held at various local bars. Occasionally some of the profits from the bar that night are donated to Green Columbus. This month we have been planning environmental trivia at Brewcadia! I put together the trivia questions and planned the script.

I have loved being able to have a different schedule each day I work. This week I have spent days on the computer. I have researched other non profit membership levels and brainstormed how to incorporate that into Green Columbus. The goal is to encourage monthly donors to our organization. I researched different newsletter templates that we could use in the future. The goal of this is to produce a quarterly newsletter for our members and volunteers. I love getting to do all aspects of work that Green Columbus requires. I hope to be working for a non profit after this summer and being able to do all aspects of this job is preparing me very well. Even the aspects that require hours researching and reading articles. Thank you week of mundane, to teach me the beauty of the ordinary.

This past week was a difficult one for me personally, and I was so grateful that I was working at a small, community based nonprofit full of kind, caring people. I was able to take time for myself and still felt supported when I came back to work. All of the kids are so sweet too! Like I wrote about last week, it has been so fun seeing their personalities come out as we all get to know each other more. They are kind and silly and they are so sweet to each other, most of the time! We are still getting new kids to come to summer reading every night. We now have 72 kids!

I am happy I get to run the summer reading program for the neighborhood. Not only is it a time for the kids to practice reading and see their friends, it is also a welcoming time for parents to come ask questions and receive help. Last week we had a diaper distribution so as kids were reading, parents were able to get access to diapers for their little ones at the same time. It is also a great time for the neighbors to catch up with each other and continue to build community. It is cool to see how this one program has an impact beyond just the kids.

Starting this week, we will have grants do almost every Friday. This means I will be doing a lot more writing and research than I have since I graduated! I am looking forward to this. I love to write and I am excited to see how grant writing works and hopefully be successful in securing some funds for the organization. I’m sure writing is a lot more fun when you can earn money for it! I am looking forward to the week ahead and can’t wait to see what it brings.

Week 3 at the Ronald McDonald House has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. From the moment I stepped foot in this amazing organization, I knew I was part of something special. Now, as I enter my third week, I can confidently say that it has been my favorite one so far.

Having fully settled into the swing of things, I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such inspiring individuals every day. The team at RMHC is not only passionate about their work but also dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families in need. Their commitment is contagious, and it motivates me to give my best in everything I do.

Each day presents new activities and challenges, and with each one, I find myself growing and learning more about myself and the business. It’s incredible to witness firsthand the impact that the Ronald McDonald House has on families, providing them with a supportive and nurturing environment during their most challenging times.

One of the highlights of this week was the completion of my scavenger hunt project. I put a lot of work into it, and the feeling of pride was overwhelming when I had the opportunity to present it to the entire marketing board for RMHC. Their feedback and appreciation for my work were truly humbling. It was a validating experience that reassured me of my abilities and strengthened my belief in the importance of the work we do here.

I have now been assigned a new project, which is to create an entire marketing campaign from scratch. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the upcoming kitchen closure that will take place over the next three months. The closure is necessary to renovate the house for an exciting new expansion.

This new project presents a fresh set of challenges and opportunities for growth. It is a chance for me to showcase my creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. I am excited to collaborate with the talented team here at RMHC and make a meaningful impact through this campaign.

As I reflect on my RMHC experience so far, I am filled with gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. This organization has given me the chance to work towards a cause that truly matters, surrounded by incredible individuals who share the same passion. I am eager to continue my journey here and contribute to the transformative work of the Ronald McDonald House. Thanks for reading!

My third week at Equitas Health was largely in-line with expectations sourced from my first two weeks. Assisting with some computer work to ease the workloads of staff, preparing pride bags and filling them with distributable goodies, packing sexual health items with OHIV, etc.

This week did, however, produce a new, more significant and long-term task. Most of my work revolves around helping Equitas with its presence at pride events throughout Ohio. In a change of pace and priorities, my new task is oriented around post-pride analyses. I am creating a presentation that will be used to display and communicate helpful information regarding pride ongoings as well as the staff reception towards the events they may have worked. It is significantly more time-consuming and in-depth than my previous assignments and work, and I believe it will have a greater significance and importance to Equitas as a whole. I enjoy the increase in responsibility, and I am hopeful that this may be indicative of more assignments to come in the near future.

I’m beginning to feel more comfortable in my role, and part of that has to do with the relationship-building I’ve been unwittingly engaging in. Being cordial and professional with coworkers in the office hasn’t been challenging per se, but I have been appreciating its payoff. Simple and casual signs of acknowledgment and light conversations with those around me have made me feel welcome in the office. This is my first time doing any sort of office work and I was curious to see how I would fit in in that environment. A simple reality that I’m becoming acquainted with.

I am also appreciative of my direct supervisor, Jostin. I’m not certain whether they are considered my boss or not, but most of the time they are the one in charge of me and pointing at tasks for me to complete. They’ve been kind and supportive which has certainly allowed me to ease into my responsibilities, and they have given me general guidance in terms of how to engage with and navigate a professional environment.

Overall I have been enjoying my time with Equitas and I am eager to see what’s next for me!