Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with the South Side Thrive Collaborative in support of the Parson Avenue Outreach Program.
South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission of bringing people together to create a strong and resilient Columbus’ South Side. SSTC envisions a diverse and vibrant South Side community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. SSTC formed from a simple idea, that the community can accomplish more together than by working alone. The need is significant in Columbus’ South Side. To achieve impact, it requires a collaborative and coordinated effort to identify and address the complex, often overlapping, circumstances that cause hardship for South Side low-income individuals and families.
The purpose of the Parsons Avenue Outreach Program is to build relationships with residents, businesses, service providers, and people accessing services along the Parsons Avenue corridor while promoting public safety, cleanliness, general order, and access to coordinated services. To achieve this purpose, SSTC will hire and deploy 2 new full-time outreach team members, including one (1) Community Outreach Specialist and one (1) Community Outreach Coordinator to plan and organize day-to-day work plans. Staff will act as trusted, dependable persons that are accessible and compassionately engaging with individuals in and along Parsons Avenue. The program area of focus will be Parsons Avenue from Livingston Avenue to the viaduct just south of Hosack Street. The 2.5 mile area will be broken into four zones so that staff can have consistent presence along the corridor. During outreach, staff will distribute, as needed, small amounts of bottled water, granola bars, and winter hats or gloves, to people they are engaging to provide immediate sustenance and as a tool to build rapport and trust. Council deems the purchase and distribution of the...
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