In an effort to ensure the safety of volunteers, all in-person volunteer opportunities have been suspended until further notice.
We Our Volunteers
Since the opening of the Family Center in October of 2005, YWCA Columbus has maintained a close partnership with the community. Over the years, tens of thousands of people have volunteered at the Family Center; providing kindness, warmth and compassion to families experiencing a housing crisis.
Our volunteers provide essential support to our families by providing babysitters while parents attend enrichment courses, organizing our donation closets or leading weekend activities and crafts. Most importantly, we rely 100% on the community to provide dinner to our residents 365 days a year. This saves the organization over $200,000 annually. Even better, the meals provide structure and stability to their day while giving the opportunity for much needed quality family time. Beyond the immediate impact to our families, volunteering with classmates and coworkers creates a shared experience that brings people closer together.
Ways to Help During this Crisis:
Additional Ideas:
Provide Meal or Food Support:
Host a Meal
There are two options: 1) Physically drop off prepared food to our kitchen staff who will serve the food 2) Sponsor a meal by donating $500 for dinner or $300 for breakfast.
Provide a Meal for Essential Staff
Provide a meal for YWCA Columbus staff working on the front lines during the pandemic.
Provide a Snack
Assemble and drop off snack bags for residents and/or staff. Snack bags can include fruit, vegetables, crackers, trail mix, etc. Please no nuts or nut products.
Bake a Dessert
Bake a sweet treat to drop off and share with our residents and/or staff.
meal related calendars
Provide Material Support:
Host a Donation Drive
Host a donation drive to collect most needed items for our families and women residents. See list of most needed items.
Assemble A Care Package
Assemble a care package for front line staff at YWCA Columbus. Care items can include snacks and sweet treats, personal care items, family-friendly activities and thank you notes.
Sew Homemade Masks
Sew masks for adults and children to ensure our residents have what they need to stay safe as the community begins opening more widely
Make Blankets
Add comfort during a difficult time and create tied fleece blankets for residents at both of our locations using these instructions:
Provide Activity Support:
Adopt-A-Resident
Participate in our Adopt-A-Resident program during holidays and/or other special occasions.
Pre-record an Online Class
Pre-record an online class for our women residents who are unable to get together with loved ones. Please donate supplies to complete your class. Class ideas include: how to cross stitch, cooking lessons, how to plant an indoor garden or painting.
Brighten Someone's Day
Write letters of encouragement to residents and/or staff or create encouraging positive posters to hang around the building(s)
Create Activity Packets/Craft Kits/Bordom Busters
Create activity packets and craft kits for children to keep them occupied while out of school during the summer or create activity packets and craft kits for adults in our Women’s Residency Program who are unable to get together with loved ones.
Help with Outdoor Projects
Help with outdoor cleanup, cutting grass, tending to flower beds and other outdoor projects at the Family Center. Shifts are weather-permitting and are scheduled in one-hour blocks.
Host or Participate in a Community Event
Partner with us to host a community event or conversation at your organization or company.
Outreach Ambassador
Help spread word of our Leadership and Social Justice programs in your neighborhood and communities around Central Ohio.
Facilitate a Leadership Session
Lead a session with our young women’s leadership program or facilitate leadership training among middle school girls.
Download a printable file of all volunteer opportunities:
Frequently Asked Questions
Meal Host Options
For a full set of information and guidelines see this document.
Food can be provided using one of the following methods:
Option 1: Physically provide and drop off the meal for our kitchen staff to serve.
- Your group should expect to serve up to 185 people for breakfast and dinner and approximately 50 – 120 people for lunch. (Please contact Naomi prior to purchasing food due to fluctuating numbers)
- Please plan to drop off your meal at or before the following times:
- 6:00 am for breakfast
- 11:00 am for lunch
- 5:00 pm for dinner
- Share pictures of the meal preparation/drop off with Naomi so we can thank you on social media!
Option 2: Financially sponsor a meal for our kitchen staff to prepare and serve for a donation of:
- $300 for breakfast
- $500 for lunch or dinner
Go here to sponsor a meal.
For a full set of information and guidelines see this document.
- Hot foods should be kept above 140 degrees and cold foods should be kept below 40 degrees.
- Cook food to the right temperature.
- Pack extra ice if you need to keep food cold or make sure you have a working. Crockpot and extension cords if your product needs to be kept hot.
- Avoid using home canned products for the food you prepare.
- If you or your family members are sick, don’t prepare food.
- Keep work surfaces clean.
- Wash your hands and change your gloves often.
For a full set of information and guidelines see this document.
We're Here to Help!
Jessica Wichtman-Will
Director of Engagement
Contact Jessica for big volunteer ideas that you may not see listed on our website.
65 South Fourth St.
Columbus, OH 43015
614.253.3916
Naomi Merino
Volunteer and Donations Manager
Contact Naomi for general information or to schedule a volunteer opportunity.
YWCA Family Center
900 Harvey Ct.
Columbus, OH 43219
614.253.3955