Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families: South Side Programs and Resources
The Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative offers programs and services for South Side community members. Our goal is to work with partners in your neighborhood to help you and your family lead healthy lives.
Resources Near You
Fostering Career and Financial Growth
BOOST Job Training
We offer free job training and coaching to South Side residents, ages 18+. This program can help you get a full-time job with a starting wage of $18 per hour. Classes are offered monthly.
Questions? Call (614) 722-2750 or email Boost@NationwideChildrens.org.
Youth & Young Adult Employment Program
South Side residents, ages 16 to 24, can participate in a paid summer work opportunity. Participants will have the chance to learn, build skills and gain experience in a health care setting.
For questions, contact HNHFWorkforceDev@NationwideChildrens.org.
High School Career Academy
This 6-month, after-school program allows Columbus City Schools students to explore different health care careers. Students meet with clinical and non-clinical staff from various departments and gain hands-on experience. Participants are required to attend two sessions per month and earn $12 per hour.
For questions and more information, contact HNHFWorkforceDev@NationwideChildrens.org.
614 File Free
614 File Free offers free tax help to South Side families with a total annual income less than $70,000. Our trained volunteers can help you file your taxes and access tax credits and refunds.
Questions? Contact 614FileFree@NationwideChildrens.org.
My Bridge 2 Success
The My Bridge 2 Success Program offers free financial advice, educational workshops and a matched savings program. You will meet with your coach once a month to set goals and talk through challenges. For every dollar you save in the program, it will be matched with another dollar for up to $5,000.
For more information, contact MyBridge2Success@NationwideChildrens.org.
Providing Health Options Near You
School-Based Health Centers
We offer school-based health services to students and their siblings at six locations on the South Side. The Nationwide Children’s school health centers are like a doctor’s office – but at school! Services include checkups, sick visits, shots, physicals, medication management and more. Behavioral and mental health services are also provided in-school and at home, including therapy, psychiatry and prevention programs.
- Buckeye Middle School
- Livingston Elementary School
- Marion-Franklin High School
- Moler Elementary School
- South High School
- St. Mary School German Village
To schedule an appointment, call (614) 355-2590, option 3.
For more information, email Tifini.Ray@NationwideChildrens.org.
Mobile Care Center
Our Mobile Care Centers bring health care directly to the South Side. We have medical equipment and health care providers on board -- making it easier for your child to get care close to school or home.
For questions, email Michelle.Welsh@NationwideChildrens.org.
Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)
The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is a free support network for parents and caregivers of children, ages 0 to 16. Triple P provides simple strategies to help your family with behavior and other challenges. Individual and group sessions are provided by phone, Zoom and in-person.
Not sure if Triple P would fit your schedule? Try Triple P Online. This program is completely online and self-paced, so you can log on any time, day or night!
Questions? Call (614) 355-8099 or email TripleP@NationwideChildrens.org.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Support (ECMH)
We support the social and emotional development of South Side’s youngest learners. Our consultants offer training to child care providers and early learning staff on topics like planning around challenging behaviors and tips to promote family engagement. Our consultants can also support providers individually and can be available quickly when needed.
For more information, contact ECMH@NationwideChildrens.org or call (844) 678-2227.
Supporting Education and Achievement
SPARK
This free kindergarten readiness program helps prepare children for their first year of school. Your child will read new books, learn letter sounds, do preschool math and practice writing. Our goal is to help your child be successful in school and in life.
For questions, call (614) 355-0714 or email SPARK@NationwideChildrens.org.
TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS)
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program is for students who plan to go to college after graduating from high school and have an interest in math or science. The program offers mentoring, tutoring and interactive educational workshops during the school year.
There is also a six-week, summer session that prepares students for the next school year, offers college preparation, paid internship opportunities, field trips and fun hands-on activities. Participants get paid to attend workshops and all UBMS activities are free to participate.
The program is open to students who attend South or Marion-Franklin High School or live in the South Side area (43205, 43206, 43207).
If you have questions, email UBMS@NationwideChildrens.org.
Mentorship
Each year, hundreds of Nationwide Children’s employees serve as mentors for South Side students. The mentorship program strives to help students reach their full potential, at school and in life. Mentors meet weekly with their students and provide homework help, reading support, life guidance and more.
Interested in learning more? Contact Edward.Miner@NationwideChildrens.org.
Building a Connected Community
PlayStreets
PlayStreets events promote outdoor play and social interaction in the South Side community. Events are in the summer and offer family-friendly activities, like food trucks, music, petting zoos, inflatables and more.
For questions and more information, contact Edward.Miner@NationwideChildrens.org.
South Side Thrive Collaborative
The South Side Thrive Collaborative’s mission is to support Columbus’ South Side residents in living healthy, fulfilling lives. The Collaborative connects community partners, such as health and human service organizations, businesses and civic groups, to ensure all South Side residents have stable housing, economic mobility and good health.
To learn more, email Sarah.Lenkay@NationwideChildrens.org.
South Side Leadership Academy
The South Side Leadership Academy gives you the knowledge and tools you need to become change agents in the community. During the program, you will attend 10 leadership sessions (40 hours) over a six-month period and complete a community-based team project.
For more information, contact khansen@4allpeople.net.
Bikes for All People
Bikes for All People (B4AP) strives to empower South Side residents through movement, mobility and a shared passion for riding bicycles. B4AP provides low-or-no cost bicycles, bicycle parts, accessories and repair services, as well as meaningful volunteer opportunities to learn about bicycle maintenance. Through B4AP, people from different backgrounds and interests come together in one place to build community and share knowledge.
To learn more about the program, visit Bikes4AllPeople.com or email eanderson@4allpeople.net.
Urban Food Forest
More information coming soon!
Offering a Safe and Affordable Place to Live
Healthy Homes
Healthy Homes provides affordable housing through homeownership, rental and home repair services on the South Side. Our goal is to give families safe, stable homes so they can focus on their child’s education, health and overall well-being.
For questions and more details, email Rentals.HealthyHomes@NationwideChildrens.org or call (614) 355-0395.
South Side Home Repair
The Home Repair Program helps homeowners on the South Side with exterior repairs, including:
- Roofs
- Windows
- Doors
- Porches
- Siding
- Painting
- Gutters
- Fences
- Walkways
- Landscaping
To request an application and see the qualifications, contact Guadalupe.Alvarez@NationwideChildrens.org or call (614) 355-3639.
South Side Rental Homes
The South Side Rental Homes Program provides safe and affordable rental housing to the South Side community. Applications are required.
For more information, contact Healthy Homes’ property management company, Sawmill Road Management at (614) 407-0739.
South Side Homeownership Program
Healthy Homes develops homes for sale in partnership with the Central Ohio Community Land Trust.
For more information about the Land Trust, visit their website at www.COCLT.org.
The Residences at Career Gateway
The Residences at Career Gateway, located at Whittier Street and Heyl Avenue on the South Side, provides 58-units of apartments and townhomes, along with on-site career development training like Nationwide Children’s BOOST program.
Tenants must be earning at or below a certain income, which is $59,520 per year for a family of four in 2024.
For more information, call (833) 837-8967 or visit ResidencesatCareerGateway.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative brings important programs and services to the community. The initiative is focused on five impact areas: affordable housing, community enrichment, economic development, education and health and wellness.
Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families is organized by Nationwide Children’s Hospital but works with many community partners to provide services and programming.
We know that a zip code predicts overall health. That includes where someone lives, how safe the neighborhood is, how many jobs are available, how easy it is to access health care and what educational opportunities are there.
We want to make sure all kids and families thrive. Our initiative works with partners to make sure the neighborhood has programs and services that residents say they need.
Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families provides programs and services based on resident feedback and partners with community organizations to offer additional services.
Our South Side Community Partners
- Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT)
- City of Columbus
- Columbus City Schools
- Columbus NextGen
- Columbus Recreation & Parks
- Community Development for All People (CD4AP)
- Final Third Foundation
- Franklin County Commissioners
- Legacy U
- South Side Family Farms
- Mary School German Village
- The Reeb Center
- The Starting Point Learning Center
- United Way
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families? Contact us at CommunityRelations@NationwideChildrens.org or call (614) 355-0715.
