As we head toward the end of the school year, we acknowledge that summer break can bring unique challenges. For example, families who struggle with food scarcity may be at their most vulnerable over the summer when students are eating breakfast and lunch at home every day instead of at school.
In order to help address common needs that families may face, please review some of the resources described and linked below.
If you have specific questions or need a referral for additional resources, please contact your friendly school social worker, Christopher Winchester (for families of families in Grades 7-12 and all families experiencing homelessness).
Please note that email is not monitored 24/7. Social workers’ last day in the building for the 2024-2025 school year will be 5/28/2025. Mr. Winchester can be reached by email thereafter, but response times will be significantly delayed and should not be used in emergencies.
Please be aware that some resources listed below were compiled by the City of Columbus Department of Public Health and other organizations. There are a variety of resources listed, including some that are located within religious organizations such as churches. Please exercise your own judgement about which resources are a good fit for your family and which are not.
FOOD
LINK: List of Columbus Area Food Pantries
SHELTER/HOUSING
Community Houses serve their neighborhoods by assisting families navigate resources to get help with food, healthcare, employment and housing. Services may vary by location, but they generally offer qualifying families help with housing/rent assistance, soft skills training, employment assistance, financial education, and parenting workshops for adults.
Central Community House
1150 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43205
614.252.3157
https://www.cchouse.org/
St. Stephen’s Community House
1500 East 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
614.294.6347
https://saintstephensch.org/
Gladden Community House
183 Hawkes Avenue
Columbus, OH 43223
614.227.1600
https://www.gladdenhouse.org/
Columbus Coalition for the Homeless (CCH)
Advocates and provides services for those experiencing homelessness.
89 West Park Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43222
614.228.1342
Emergency Shelter: 614.274.7000
https://www.columbushomeless.org/
LINK: Central Ohio Affordable Housing Guide
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
LINK: Various Emergency Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
LINK: Columbus Street Card (CCH) – essential resources for those experiencing homelessness
LINK: Immigrant & Refugee Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
Columbus Urban League (CUL)
“CUL is a community‐based organization that works to empower Black and urban communities through economic, educational and social progress with programs, classes and services.” Their many programs include: Career Services, Re-Entry HUB, Minority Business Assistance Center, I Am My Brother’s Keeper, Homebuyer Education, Housing Accelerator, My Brother’s Closet, STEP, and, Young Engineers Society.
788 Mount Vernon Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43203
614.257.6300
https://www.cul.org/
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
LINK: Mental Health & Substance Use Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
PHYSICAL HEALTH RESOURCES
LINK: Prescription Assistance Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
LINK: Healthcare Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
EMPLOYMENT
LINK: Job Resources (from City of Columbus Department of Public Health)
LEGAL CLINICS
Below are links to legal clinics in the area that may be able to help if you need assistance with various legal matters, including immigration matters.
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)
1108 City Park Avenue #100
Columbus, OH 43206
614.224.8374 (Receptionist)
614.241.2001 (9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Intake Line)
https://www.columbuslegalaid.org/apply-for-help
Ohio Legal Help
88 East Broad Street, Suite 720
Columbus, OH 43215
866.791.8362
https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/
Capital University Law School Legal Clinic
303 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614.236.6245
Moritz College of Law Civil Legal Clinic
55 W. 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
614.688.3069
https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/study/clinics/civil-law-clinic
Franklin County Municipal Self-Help Clinic
375 S. High Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.645.7381
https://municipalcourt.franklincountyohio.gov/Departments-Services/Self-Help
Franklin County Law Library
369 South High Street, 10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.525.4971
https://fclawlib.libguides.com/childcustody/freeadvice
Ohio Domestic Violence Network – Domestic Violence and Family
4807 Evanswood Drive
Columbus, OH 43229
800.934.9840
https://www.odvn.org/
Community Refugee and Immigration Service Pro Bono Project – Immigration
1925 E Dublin-Granville Rd. Suite 102
Columbus, OH 43229
614.235.5747
https://www.crisohio.org/services/legal-serv
Central Ohio Worker Center – Wage Theft Clinics, Immigration Law Resources
2800 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43207
614.256.7191
centralohioworkercenter@gmail.com