Opportunities From: United Way of Central Ohio

We all know that winter in Ohio is no walk in the park. Snow and frigid temperatures are common from November all the way through March. By taking the time to create these thick fleece blankets, you can help keep someone warm this winter.

Add comfort and warmth during this time and make no-sew, fleece-tied blankets for homeless families and formerly homeless women residents. 

 

Materials:

Rolls of fleece (Optional) Roller Cutter Sharpies/Fabric Markers Fabric glue Scissors Ruler

Instructions: 

1. Use the scissors to cut two fabric sheets with pleasantly contrasting patterns into 60 x 54 rectangles. This can be done before the activity so that you can simply provide the fabric to the volunteers.

2. Use the scissors or roller cutter to cut a 3 x 3 square out of each corner of both sheets.

3. Use the scissors to cut slits 3 inches in and 1 inch across. It will look similar to the pink fabric pictured above. Make sure both fabric sheets have an equal number of strips and that each strip lines up with a strip on the other sheet.

4. Tie each strip to its corresponding mate on the other sheet. A simple square knot is enough. 

 

Additional Resources:

Downloadable Instructions 

Instructional Video

 

Finished products can be mailed or delivered to 360 S. 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215. Please call Brandi Davis at 614.227.2714 to make arrangements.

On an average day, NNEMAP gives away a 3-day supply of food for about 250 people. The Stockroom/Inventory Assistant makes sure food is available for guests, accepts deliveries and donations, and helps manage cardboard recycling and trash removal.

To sign-up for this opportunity, Contact Executive Director Roy Clark at director@nnemappantry.org. 

 

More than 1,200 people sleep in homeless shelters in Columbus and Franklin County on any given night, while an estimated 600 or more are on the streets. Community Shelter Board is leading a battle to slow the spread of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness. These efforts including opening multiple new facilities – some to achieve social distancing in crowded homeless shelters, and other facilities for isolation and quarantine of those already infected with the virus.

You can’t stay home if you don’t have a home. Please join the fight to save the lives of those most vulnerable in our community.

 

Step-by-Step Instructions What you will need A tightly woven cotton, such as a dress shirt, sheet, or similar material Rope elastic, beading cord elastic will work (you may also us 1/8” flat elastic) Cut the elastic 7” long and tie a knot at each end (DO NOT knot the ends of the flat) What to do

You can make two sizes: Adult or Child

Cut fabric 9.5" by 6.5" for an adult or 7.5" by 5" for a child. Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally Put right sides of fabric together Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner and stop. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back. Sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again, put an elastic with the edge out. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out. Pin three tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction Sew around the edge of the mask twice.

For No Sew options or instructional videos click here.

 

When masks are complete:

They items can be dropped off at
YMCA of Central Ohio
Mon-Tue between 11 am – 12 noon
40 W. Long Street
Columbus, OH 43215

  Supply Family Care Kits Today!  BEATING COVID-19...WISDOM IS TO PLAY THE LONG GAME! While this is surely no game, the saying playing the long game refers to active participation in achieving goals which may take some time. Your generosity is humbly appreciated and will continue to be needed daily in support of our littles and their families with educational supplies, diapers, and cleaning supplies. With the close of week two, we've prepared, packaged, & distributed over 150 care kits that included 60 diapers, 7 children's books, and 2 packages of body & cleaning soaps in each kit. We also acquired 360 buddy boxes (a shoe sized box filled with kid-friendly, nutritious, nonperishable, individuals sized food items that are easy for children to eat or prepare on their own.) Week three is now and we still need you. Are you in? https://www.southsidelearning.org/  

 

  SSEL Story Time Challenge At South Side Early Learning, we know the power of a story. To take us somewhere where the adventure never ends, where we can learn and play, where we are safe. That is why we are launching the Story Time Challenge to provide stories and resources to Columbus’ families with young children.   STEP 1: Pick your favorite children’s book from your family library or downloaded onto your tablet. STEP 2: Record a video of yourself reading your favorite story for us to share with Columbus’ littles while preschools across the city are closed. STEP 3: Upload your video to your social media page and tag @southsidelearn or email your video to us at storytime@southsidelearning.org. STEP 4: Tag your friends and challenge them to either read a book or donate to the Family Together Fund, a critical resource that our social work team uses to support Columbus families with young children during difficult times. Videos will be shared on our social media and shared with families to participate in virtual story time. https://www.southsidelearning.org/storytime  

 

Help feed Linden during these unprecedented times!

 

We need at least 50 volunteers to help us prepare food and serve it to the community! We are partnering with the Columbus Dream Center and the Children's Hunger Alliance to feed people throughout the area!

This will take place Monday-Friday 5pm-5:45pm

Volunteers will be needed from 4:30pm-6:15pm

If you can help in any way, that is much appreciated! Social distancing will be encouraged during this event. 

To sign up, click here.

Many of us are working from home, and are relying on technology to keep us connected. Some local nonprofits in our community, do not have access to hardware and software items that they need to continue to help those who are suffering during this global crisis.

A donation of any of the following items would make a huge impact for our community:

Tablets (new, used or loaned) Laptops  (new, used or loaned) Camera for videoconferencing (new, used or loaned) Wifi hotspots (new, used or loaned) Smartphones (new, used or loaned) Teleconferencing/Videoconferencing subscription access (or software) ie. Zoom, Skype, etc

 

If you or your business have access to these items or would like to donate to help agencies get access to much-needed tech resources, please reach out to Brandi Davis at brandi.davis@uwcentralohio.org or call 614-227-2714. Thank You!!

SPECIAL PRO BONO PROGRAMMING LAUNCHED TO ADDRESS LEGAL NEEDS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

 

To ensure that low-income individuals can still access legal help and advice during the COVID-19 crisis, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services have created a new “Virtual Clinic” model, which engages our volunteer lawyers in phone advice clinics. In direct response to the expansion of Unemployment Compensation program, we are also launching a special Virtual Unemployment Compensation Clinic to organize volunteers to help individuals who are struggling to apply for unemployment compensation. If you wish to help, please use this form: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/zx6si961rm5zp6/.

 

Training and Resources: Volunteers can note when they are available to help, which areas of law they feel comfortable handling, and whether they need additional training. For the general virtual clinics, LASC/SEOLS has a recorded training for volunteer lawyers focused on typical brief advice clinic issues, along with a comprehensive Attorney Toolkit that volunteers can access. We are also compiling all relevant court orders and policy changes that volunteers may need to be aware of prior to speaking to the clients. For Unemployment specifically, a recorded training and volunteer toolkit is available. No experience is required!

 

Process: Clients are scheduled for clinic slots that align with volunteer availability and are told that they should expect a call during that window of time and that the call might be restricted or blocked (if volunteers are calling from cell phones) Prior to the clinic time, LASC/SEOLS Pro Bono Team staff will match clients with volunteers via a virtual referral email, which will include the client’s intake and contact information, contact information for our staff attorney mentor who is “on call” for the clinic, and a link to a case reporting form that we will ask the volunteer to complete after the consultation. Report link here: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/z194bwvh1tve5jf/ During the consultation, volunteers will initiate the call. If calling from a personal cell phone, we recommend blocking your number by dialing *67 before the client’s number. We also recommend that the Unemployment Project volunteers have computer access so that they can help complete an online application if necessary.

 

Pro Bono Program Generally: LASC/SEOLS supplies primary malpractice coverage for all volunteers, training resources, and access to attorney mentors. You can accrue one hour of general CLE for every six hours you volunteer, up to a total of six CLE hours per reporting period. Emeritus and Corporate Status also are also eligible to and encouraged to volunteer.

 

 

On behalf of the 6,000 youth and families we serve, thank you for your support.  As a mental and behavioral health organization, Directions for Youth & Families strives to improve both individual and family well-being through counseling and educational programs.

We want you to know how much your support means to both the young people in our programs and to our organization. Your gifts allow us to help youth and families who would not have access to these items without your support.

Thank you very much for your commitment to the youth and families in central Ohio. 

Gift cards for Kroger, Walmart and other food sources footies male and female toilet paper baby wipes       soap feminine hygiene (pads) body wash shampoo/conditioner larger size diapers

 

All of these items can be purchase through Amazon and sent to:

Attn.: Stephanie Jackson.

Directions for Youth & Families

1515 Indianola Ave.

Columbus, Oh. 43201

Please help us help the families and women who rely on us by donating any of these essential items: Bar Soap Deodorant Bottled Water Garbage bags Towels and Washcloths Tissues Paper Towel Over the Counter medication (Tylenol, cold/flu medicines) Cleaning Supplies for Guest (Bleach, Lysol wipes, Disinfient spray, etc) Sanitary Napkins & Disposable Underwear (in all sizes for men and women) Snack-like items/ non-perishable

 

Items can be purchased on Amazon and sent to:

595 Van Buren Dr.

Columbus Ohio 43223

Attention: Kristian Tucker or Carolyn Slebodnik

To sponsor a meal for our Guests or for any additional information about how you can help us email: vbvolunteer@ymcacolumbus.org