YWCA Family Center - YWCA Columbus

ON A MISSION TO HELP FAMILIES

In 2005, YWCA Columbus responded to a community call to take over emergency shelter and services for families without homes. Many are working poor and unable to meet high housing costs; many are women raising children alone. The 50-room center offers these families safety and support, a place where they can get three healthy meals a day and a warm, secure place to sleep. With their basic needs provided, parents can concentrate on moving forward, using the job-and-housing-search resources, transportation services and the five-star Step Up To Quality rated Safe & Sound child care program.

Family Advocacy

Each family is assigned a family advocate who assists with housing and job search. They also refer parents to onsite and community based services such as child care, financial literacy, mental health, healthcare, and eviction prevention education.

Employment Resource Center

We support families through a space where adults can use technology to search for jobs and housing. Parents work with family advocates, partner agencies, and volunteers for assistance while in the ERC.

Safe & Sound Child Care

Our onsite, 5-star Step Up to Quality rated child care program is available to parents so they can accomplish their employment and housing goals. Through a partnership with Head Start, we provide wrap-around service to ensure kindergarten readiness.

2020 Impact

The Family Center staff are very helpful. When I need to talk to someone, they listen to me. Whenever we need something, they are always there.

Erin Edwards, former Family Center resident

Staff That Care

Sonya Todd

Family Center Director

Family Center Office
614.253.3911

Email Sonya

Dan Hook

Operations Manager

Family Center Office
Operations Department
614.253.3913

Email Dan

Adrienne Lee-Garland

Program Services Manager

Family Center Office
614.253.3909

Email Adrienne

Deborah Schipper

Family Support Manager

Family Center Office
614.253.3920

Email Deborah

Kaleena Wiseman

Program Administrator - Safe & Sound

Family Center Office
Children's Programs
614.253.3914

Email Kaleena

Equal Housing Opportunity Statement: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Here are some of the ways you can help us fulfill our mission.

Make a donation to fuel our work as we lead the way to eliminate racism and continue to help women and families manage during the pandemic. Consider spreading out your gift as a monthly contribution—it’s easier on your budget and helps us plan ours.

Sponsor a meal for the 50 families relying on our Family Center. Since we’ve cancelled volunteer programs that normally supply meals, we need your support to keep these services going.

Pick out some of the material items we urgently need from our amazon wishlist and have them sent directly to us.

Donate now

Tell your local officials and legislators that you support institutional police and criminal-justice system reforms

Sign the petition to declare racism a public health crisis

Participate in the reform agenda of the Coalition of African-American Leaders, a Central Ohio—based group that includes YWCA CEO Christie Angel

Buy from Black-owned and women-owned businesses as much as possible

Speak to your employer about ensuring that people of color and women are employed at all levels of the organization

Vote, in every election, every time. The smaller races for local offices are where we can most influence the pace of change in our community.

Help others to register to vote.

Visit ywca.org to see other action steps you can take to stay vocal, involved, and effective in fighting discrimination.

Action Steps

Women of Achievement Virtual event

Honor and learn from women who are impacting their professions, uplifting their communities, and inspiring others with their courage and compassion.

June 23, 2021

Activists and Agitators

Learn how to pursue social change from those on the front lines. You’ll gain practical resources and approaches to confront and combat prejudice and poverty.

Date:TBD

Attend Women of Achievement