Explanation
This ordinances authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a grant agreement with the YWCA Columbus in support of the Restoring Community Conversations Outreach Project.
The Outreach Project is a two-year, city-led initiative in Columbus designed to center the lived experiences of residents and gather feedback for community-driven recommendations. It used strategies such as World Cafés, story labs, and podcasts to identify barriers and elevate priorities across neighborhoods. A core team of community advisors was established to guide engagement, build trust, and connect with diverse populations. Outreach efforts extended to leaders, organizations, and groups working with similar priorities, fostering collaboration and visibility for the project.
To date, the project has:
• Hosted 2 of 50 planned World Cafés
• Recorded 2 of 14 planned podcasts
• Engaged 53 people toward a 2,000-person goal
• Reached 13 of 17 target zip codes, with the highest participation in 43068 and 43219
Through these activities, the project built bridges and advanced collective solutions for Columbus residents.
This funding will facilitate the ongoing events of the series, including additional World Cafes, podcasts, and community engagement events.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to ensure that the activities of the Outreach Project can continue without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a grant agreement with the YWCA Columbus in support of the Restoring Community Conversations Outreach Project; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Outreach Project is a two-year, city-led initiative in Columbus designed to center the lived experiences of residents and gather feedback fo...
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