Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to provide upfront financial support to three community resettlement agencies for outreach and support regarding food and housing insecurity. Funds are intended for programming that will occur during the 2027 calendar year. Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. (CRIS), Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services will use this assistance to address food and housing insecurity. The agencies will work closely with refugee and immigrant community leaders, faith-based organizations, the City of Columbus Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, the Department of Neighborhoods, and other community partners to coordinate outreach, share accurate information, and connect families with available resources. The agencies will also maintain a coordinated referral process to ensure individuals and families are connected to the organization best equipped to meet their needs while avoiding duplication of services.
The mission of CRIS is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community. For the purposes of this ordinance, they will provide immigration legal consultations and referrals, as well as mental healthcare services and resource coordination.
Jewish Family Service's mission is to helps individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and emotional stability. For the purposes of this ordinance, they will provide family case management, stabilization supports, legal services, employer outreach and education, and related referrals.
The mission of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services is to be the focal point of societal integration for immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals to help improve the quality of life through education, training, supportive services, and self-development opportunities while increasing awareness of the diverse cultures and heritage. For the purposes of this ordinance, they will provide family case management, crisis intervention, and mental healthcare services.
Grant funding for the programming may include the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering programming. Food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $213,000.00 is available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Clerk to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the payment of non-food related program expenses; and to allow food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred after the effective date of the ordinance. ($213,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, recent changes in federal immigration policies and programs have created an immediate need for support among refugee and immigrant communities in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc. is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community; an
WHEREAS, the mission of Jewish Family Service is to help individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and emotional stability; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services is to be the focal point of societal integration for immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals to help improve the quality of life through education, training, supportive services, and self-development opportunities while increasing awareness of the diverse cultures and heritage; and
WHEREAS, it is the steadfast policy of this Council to protect and celebrate all members of our community, including immigrants and refugees; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council stands in firm opposition to all xenophobic, prejudiced, and hateful rhetoric from other levels of government; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3435-2025 authorized the City Clerk to enter grant agreements with the same resettlement agencies for the same purpose; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Inc., Jewish Family Service, and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services in support of immigration and refugee resettlement services and programs.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $195,500.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $213,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance. This amount is to be equally divided among the three nonprofit entities named in SECTION 1 of this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Columbus City Council deems the expenditure of food and non-alcoholic beverages to be a proper public purpose. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Food and beverage related expenditures will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement and shall not exceed $15 per person.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.