The Columbus Safety Collective’s Community Crisis Response Amendment (Issue 5) is on TOMORROW’s primary election ballot (May 5)! YWCA Columbus supports this effort as a common-sense, research-backed way to meet the health and safety needs of community members in crisis.  

 Specifically, Issue 5 will: 

• Create a community crisis response system that will enhance 911 calls for non-violent crises pertaining to behavioral health, wellness checks, homelessness, and others by dispatching a team of trained non-police responders (including clinicians, social workers, peer supporters, and EMTs); 

• Reduce violence and save lives, all while not raising taxes; 

• Improve outcomes for people in crisis by providing the appropriate care response. 

Join us for the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge’s culminating conversation around Democracy in Progress: Voting Rights at 250 on Friday, May 15, where YWCA will host panelists from the League of Women Voters of Metro Columbus, COHHIO, and the American Association of People with Disabilities to discuss voting rights and access, which is now even more relevant, given last week’s Supreme Court ruling. 

Beginning April 6, the Racial Justice Challenge offered one carefully curated piece of content each day – an article, video, podcast, or action step – through Monday, May 4, that helped deepen participants’ understanding of voting rights and inspire meaningful engagement. 

The Employee Engagement Committee’s next round of its “Quarterly Employee Nomination Program” (Employee of the Quarter) starts soon! Don’t miss your chance to recognize your teammates who demonstrate outstanding performance and reflect our mission, values, and culture through their actions and results. Nominations for Q2 are due May 29. Winners will be announced in June!   

Eligible nominees include full-time or part-time employees in good standing who have completed their probationary period (example: 90 days). Please submit nominations via this form and be prepared to include specific examples of how the employee you're nominating is succeeding in any of the following areas: Going Above & Beyond, Teamwork & Collaboration, Leadership & Initiative, Innovation/Problem Solving, Mission/Values Champion, and Exceptional Service.  

Nominations will be reviewed by the Employee Engagement Committee using consistent criteria (values/mission, impact, performance, and teamwork). Winners will be recognized quarterly (certificate/award, staff meeting/newsletter recognition, small gift, and optional lunch with an Executive Team Member) and announced via staff communications.  

Please submit your completed nomination to the Employee Engagement Committee (eec@ywcacolumbus.org).  

Registration for YWCA Kids Place’s fall before- and after-school programs opened yesterday! Our programs in Columbus, Westerville, and Gahanna nurture children's learning and development through STEAM activities, social-emotional learning, and community engagement. Click the link above to learn more, find the forms you'll need to fill out, and register for the upcoming school year. 

This month we called on our community to help us stock up on summer camp supplies for our brand-new YWCA Summer Camp location – Whittier Elementary! Thanks to your generosity, we've already received 57 toys, games, first aid supplies, and craft materials for our students. If you'd like to contribute and haven't had a chance to shop the list, yet, check it out at the link above. 

Safe & Sound – Jenkins now offers FREE half-day preschool (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.) through YWCA Columbus’ partnership with Early Start Columbus! Extended care is available through private pay, PFCC or CCCP. 

Conveniently located near Downtown Columbus (in Merion Village), Safe & Sound – Jenkins provides safe and stimulating learning spaces, caring, experienced teachers, and social, emotional, and academic development. Click here to learn more or contact Emily Jacobs (ejacobs@ywcacolumbus.org) to enroll!