Community Enrichment
To produce the best health outcomes for children, it is most critical to support continued development of a healthy environment. Partnering with neighborhood and community stakeholders, HNHF works to support the social connections and the overall neighborhood experience for residents.
Featured Programs
PlayStreets
PlayStreets events promote outdoor play and social interaction in the community. HNHF partners with community organizations to host PlayStreets events featuring activities that promote health and wellness. More than 1,660 people attended in 2022. Residents reported that the event made them feel connected to the community and that PlayStreets made the neighborhood safer.
Block Watch
Nationwide Children’s has partnered with the neighborhood block watch on the South Side. The block watch brings residents together to prevent the possibility of crime in the area and to develop a sense of community spirit that encourages activism. To expand crime prevention efforts, two crime patrols will now monitor the area.
Neighborhood Beautification
Working with many neighborhood partners, Nationwide Children’s supports neighborhood beautification efforts, including cleaning vacant lots and picking up litter from the streets and alleys.
South Side Leadership Academy
Building relationships with community residents is also critical to strengthen the neighborhood. One way relationships are being built is through the South Side Leadership Academy. This joint effort between Nationwide Children’s, United Way of Central Ohio, Kirwan Institute and Community Development for All People, was formed to equip residents with the knowledge and tools to become change agents in the community. During the program, participants attend 10 leadership sessions and complete a community-based team project, and more than 100 leaders have graduated.
Urban Food Forest
Funded by a Parcels to Places Grant, the Urban Food Forest features 13 plant beds and one raised plant bed that is handicap accessible. Fruit trees surround the garden.
The 614 for Linden
The 614 for Linden represents a $25 million investment to the Linden neighborhood to address five of the 10 Big Ideas that were the introduced in the City of Columbus’ One Linden Community Plan.
The 614 for Linden recently received a $5 million investment as a national winner of JPMorgan Chase’s Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods (PRO Neighborhoods) initiative. The PRO Neighborhoods initiative is a $125 million, five-year commitment to equip community leaders to transform communities.
The 614 for Linden will seek to provide:
- Approximately 500 affordable housing units will be preserved through acquisition, rehabilitation and/or financing. These are specifically intended for individuals and families who earn less than 80% of the area median income. In addition, rapid rehousing services will be available for up to 200 individuals and families currently experiencing or on the brink of homelessness.
- Consulting and other assistance to small businesses, including microloans to local entrepreneurs seeking to start or expand an operation.
- An increased focus on “wraparound’ health services, particularly prenatal and maternal programs. In addition, funds will be devoted to the creation or attraction of a business to provide healthy food access.
The six nonprofits supporting The 614 for Linden include Saint Stephen’s Community House, Community Development for All People, Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, Community Shelter Board and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
South Side Thrive Collaborative
South Side Thrive Collaborative’s mission is to support Columbus’ South Side residents in living healthy, fulfilling lives by strengthening the collective efforts of community partners. The Collaborative connects 40+ health and human service organizations, businesses and civic groups to ensure all Columbus’ South Side residents have stable housing, economic mobility and good health.