How we help 

Our team connects people to a variety of services:

• finds temporary or permanent supportive housing.
• helps clients with criminal records find work.
• connects clients with physical or mental disabilities with services.
• links veterans to eligible services.
• obtains copies of birth certificates and identification cards for clients. 
• assists with transportation, utilities, access to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, and small household items.

Our results 

Each year, Bill and Ryan provide more than 3,680 hours of homeless outreach. This includes:

• Serving over 1,000 clients on the street and at the Open Shelter and Main Library.
• Assisting nearly 100 clients to find permanent housing or emergency shelter.
• Providing over 500 COTA bus passes to help clients get to appointments, job interviews, and housing.

History of the program 

Capital Crossroads SID members first began funding outreach services in 2003. At first, they shared costs with The Columbus Foundation. After two years, they began to fully fund the program. Similarly, Discovery SID understood the value of outreach. They included it in the SID’s initial program for service in 2006.  Together, the two SIDs fund two full-time outreach specialists to serve clients downtown.