Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Harmony Project in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs.
Harmony Project was formed in 2009 with the mission of building a stronger and more inclusive community through the arts and volunteer services. The Harmony Project has programs serving differently-abled adults; men and women who have experienced homelessness; students from across the economic spectrum, yet predominantly from low-income households; women and men serving time; veterans, and restored citizens.
Harmony Project's unique approach of combining arts with community service and social impact creates a powerful synergy that not only entertains but transforms lives. This holistic approach addresses complex social issues and fosters a more inclusive and compassionate society. Investing in Harmony Project means investing in the future of our community. The Student Arts program uniquely teaches job preparedness skills through the arts, equipping young people with essential communication, collaboration, and integration skills for their future careers. The Community Arts program helps differently-abled individuals feel valued, reducing anxiety and depression and increasing overall wellness. Research indicates that participating in music programs can increase feelings of inclusion and belonging by 70%, fostering a more connected and supportive community. Harmony's Volunteer Program and Public Community Chorus Concerts contributes over 60,000 volunteer hours and $1.5 million of in-kind value each year to the City of Columbus.
Fiscal impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Harmony Project in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Harmony Project was formed in 2009 with the mission of building a stronger and more inclusive community through the arts and volunteer services; and
WHEREAS, The Harmony Project has programs serving differently-abled adults, men and women who have experienced homelessness, students from across the economic spectrum (yet predominantly from low-income households), women and men serving time, veterans, and restored citizens; and
WHEREAS, Harmony's Volunteer Program and Public Community Chorus Concerts contributes over 60,000 volunteer hours and $1.5 million of in-kind value each year to the City of Columbus; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Harmony Project in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $100,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting code in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That, with regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting code in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect at the earliest date allowable by law.