Title
To Honor and Recognize Barbra H. Benham for her Tenure and Commitment to the Community Shelter Board
Body
WHEREAS, Barbra H. Benham has been a steadfast leader and advocate in the fight to end homelessness, serving on the Community Shelter Board’s Board of Trustees since 2010 and championing its mission since its founding in 1986; and
WHEREAS, as the current Board Chair, Barbra brought visionary leadership to the redesign of Columbus’s homeless crisis response system, creating a more inclusive and effective model that has expanded access to housing, medical care, employment, and dignity for the most vulnerable in our community; and
WHEREAS, Barbra played a pivotal role in launching a $31 million community-wide campaign to address urgent capital and service needs in the homeless system, resulting in safe, modernized shelter environments and a coordinated effort to connect individuals with long-term support and stability; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Barbra co-founded Women Leaders, a philanthropic force of community-minded women who have raised over $290,000 for Community Shelter Board programs-mobilizing resources and awareness for expectant mothers and families at risk of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Barbra’s tireless dedication helped launch the successful Wine Women & Shoes event, engaging the community in innovative ways to raise awareness and more than $378,000 for housing and homelessness services in just two years; and
WHEREAS, her leadership in creating a $100 million fund through the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio has positioned the region to meet the housing needs of its most vulnerable residents, leaving a legacy that will benefit generations to come, while inspiring a culture of service across central Ohio;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council hereby honors and recognizes Barbra H. Benham for her Tenure and Commitment to the Community Shelter Board.