Impact Community Action Columbus Ohio – Community Services Candice Harris, June 16, 2024June 4, 2024 Impact Community Action in Columbus, Ohio, provides vital help to local people. It offers services to fight poverty and empower those in need. This includes help with rent and utilities, job training, and emergency aid. The goal is simple: to help every person in need and build a stronger community. Key Takeaways Impact Community Action helps renters in financial trouble due to COVID-19. To qualify, you must meet income limits, be a renter, have lost income or have higher expenses due to COVID-19, and be at risk of losing your housing. The program can pay past-due rent or utility bills, up to 3 months of future rent, and even internet bills. IMPACT Community Action provides this help for free. It’s available to all residents, no matter their background. Rent and utility payments are sent directly to landlords or utility companies once approved. Introduction to Impact Community Action in Columbus, Ohio Impact Community Action is deeply rooted in social justice in Columbus, Ohio. It draws inspiration from Robert F. Kennedy’s notion of creating hope. The group seeks to reduce poverty by offering hope and chances for independence. It tackles critical needs and builds resilience in Columbus’s underserved communities with community initiatives and social impact programs. History and Mission Impact Community Action was born from a desire to confront social injustices faced by low-income families. Since early 2021, it has tirelessly worked towards equity for these families, pushing a legislative agenda. Important highlights include: Supporting the House Bill 294 rally at the Ohio Statehouse on June 24, 2021, with others to discuss voting rights. Creating the Friends of Community Action (FoCAN) on February 25, 2021, to encourage low-income families’ civic involvement. Talking with the Franklin County Treasurer’s Office on February 4, 2021, to tackle the foreclosure issue, notably impacting the elderly and African-American neighborhoods. Overview of Services Impact Community Action provides a wide range of services to uplift the community, including: Program Description Target Audience CCMEP Achieve More & Prosper (A.M.P.) Program Comprehensive case management services for young adults aged 16-24. Young adults facing challenges like legal issues, foster care, disabilities, homelessness, or being a parent, in Franklin County. BOSS UP Program Offers entrepreneurship training and business plan making. It ends with a competition for seed money. High school students aged 14-18 in Franklin County who meet certain income criteria or get assistance. Off the Block Capital Program Teaches youth about stock market investment, including a $50 stipend and a funded brokerage account. High school students aged 14-18 in Franklin County who meet certain income criteria or get assistance. Also, the organization runs key community service projects in Columbus, like rental aid. On August 24, 2021, Mayor Ginther and others announced an additional $12.2 million in rental support. This shows Impact Community Action’s commitment to growth and support through its community initiatives and social impact programs. Emergency Assistance Services Impact Community Action offers critical emergency assistance services Columbus for residents in tough times. They provide a wide range of services. This helps people and families manage when faced with challenges. Rent and Utility Assistance Impact Community Action helps with rent and utilities for those hit by the pandemic’s economic effects. Eligible families might get around $3,000. This amount helps with overdue rent and possibly the first month of new rent. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available from November 1 to March 31. It offers needed aid to keep energy costs low in winter. For more info, call (614) 252-2799. Household Items and Food Giveaways Emergency assistance services Columbus also cover basics like household items and food. Impact Community Action organizes giveaways. These efforts help ensure people have what they need for a stable life. Bearing Support and More Impact Community Action understands people face many types of difficulties. They offer burial support among their services. With a comprehensive approach, they provide respectful help during hard times. In 2023, they will use ACH transfers or allow pick-ups to give easy and safe access to help. Community Initiatives and Social Impact Programs Impact Community Action works hard to meet the needs of many through various programs. They aim to improve lives in lots of ways. This includes making living sustainable and helping those with low incomes. Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Programs They offer help to make homes more energy-wise. This reduces utility bills and boosts efficiency. Services cover things like better insulation and efficient heating systems. The Home Energy Winter Crisis Program (HE AP) helps from November 1 to March 31. It prevents power cutoffs and fuel shortages. The Summer Crisis Program helps with cooling from July 1 to September 30. Programs for Low-Income Househouses They also focus on the vital needs of low-income families. This includes access to water aid for those in Columbus and Franklin County. Emergency financial help is offered to keep water running. Besides, they help with energy bills through the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. It makes utilities affordable. They also help with rent issues, offering an average of $3,000 for past due rent and first month’s. Eligibility is based on income changes due to the pandemic or unemployment benefits. Required documents include Social Security Cards and proof of income. Also needed are signed lease agreements and landlord info. For 2023, you can get payments through ACH or in person at Impact. Program Coverage Period Assistance Type Home Energy Winter Crisis Program (HEAP) November 1 – March 31 Emergency energy assistance to prevent disconnections or fuel shortages Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program July 1 – September 30 Cooling assistance during hot summer months Rental Assistance Program Year-round Past due rental payments and first month’s rent For more details, or for help from our new satellite office, call Impact Community Action at (614) 252-2799. Impact Community Action Columbus Ohio Impact Community Action is a key support in Columbus, Ohio. It promotes civic engagement and runs workforce development programs. These efforts are aimed at empowering residents and improving their economic well-being. The ARPA HRG ERA 2 program is crucial. It provides rental and utility help to qualified homes. To qualify, families must meet income limits, be renters, and show a financial hit from COVID-19. The goal is to help with overdue bills, future rent for three months, and internet costs. Payments go straight to landlords and utility services. Impact Community Action makes sure this help is free and fair to everyone. Their aim is to be fair and serve everyone equally, no matter their background. The budget of Impact Community Action was cut by 90%, from $60 million to $6 million. This big cut impacted the staff’s size. However, the organization has used $96 million since 2021. It helped over 40,000 families with rent and utility needs. Applicants need to provide clear documents, like scans or photos in JPEG, PNG, or PDF. These documents must be easy to read for quick processing. Those not qualifying will know quickly based on their questionnaire. Impact Community Action’s mission revolves around workforce development and civic engagement. They are dedicated to bolstering the Columbus community. Their commitment shines through, especially during tough economic times. They offer broad support to enhance lives. Local Volunteering Opportunities and Civic Engagement Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? Join Impact Community Action. This group offers many ways for you to get involved. You can help improve Columbus by volunteering in roles that fit your skills. Volunteering Roles and Opportunities Impact Community Action has many volunteering roles open. You might help with local events or behind the scenes. Imagine giving out food, running workshops, or helping people get jobs. This work helps those in need and makes you feel part of something bigger. Food Distribution Programs Community Outreach Workshops Administrative Support Workforce Development Projects Success Stories from Volunteers Volunteers at Impact Community Action have some inspiring stories. They’ve grown personally by making a difference in Columbus. One person helped fight a bill at a statewide rally. It showed how volunteering can lead to big changes. Another volunteer worked on stopping foreclosures after meeting with Franklin County’s Treasurer’s Office. This effort helped families avoid financial trouble. These stories show the big impact volunteers can have in their community. Workforce Development and Career Training Programs Impact Community Action focuses on enhancing career opportunities with its in-depth career training programs in Columbus. It has many initiatives and partnerships. These efforts make sure participants are ready for the job market. Professional Certifications and Achievements The group is great at giving access to professional certifications Columbus that boost job chances. Its Job Training/Certification program offers a $250/week stipend and a $17/hr earning chance. The Re-Entry Work Readiness Program gives a $200 stipend after a two-week course. The Build Up Construction Trades program focuses on job and construction skills for young, low-income adults. It helps them get a nationally recognized $2,600 value construction certificate. This is key for a good start in the construction field. The Achieve More and Prosper (A.M.P.) Programs help youth with mentoring. They provide paid jobs and training for a bright career future. The table below shows how major Columbus educational places support learning and career growth: Institution Enrollment Specializations The Ohio State University 61,677 Broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees Columbus State Community College 25,102 Career and technical programs Felbry College School of Nursing 329 Nursing programs Techskills Columbus (MyComputerCareer.edu) Technical training and education Located at 2400 Corporate Exchange Drive These facts highlight the key role of career training programs Columbus in education and career success. Impact Community Action is crucial, offering support and chances for those wanting to get professional certificates in Columbus. Conclusion Impact Community Action Columbus Ohio is a beacon of hope for those in Columbus. It offers crucial services like help with rent and utilities. It also provides job training and emergency support. In August 2021, they received $12.2 million for rental help. This funding enables 26 new agencies to aid the community. The efforts aim at addressing key needs and supporting residents. The organization is also committed to social justice. They protest against certain policies and work towards a higher minimum wage. Their discussions with State Senator Hearcel Craig’s Office aim for a $15/hour minimum wage. Impact opposes changes to the Community Reinvestment Act proposed by the previous administration. They engage with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This ensures the community’s voice is heard in vital policy discussions. They work closely with the Franklin County Treasurer’s Office on property tax issues. About 30% of foreclosures involve those unable to pay property taxes. This issue mainly affects the elderly and African-American communities. By bridging critical gaps and advocating for fair economic conditions, Impact makes a significant difference. Their success in securing federal funds and distributing resources shows their vital role. They are key in fighting poverty and empowering people in Columbus. News