How we help 

Our team connects people to a variety of services:

• find temporary or permanent supportive housing.
• help clients with criminal records find work.
• connect clients with physical or mental disabilities with services.
• link veterans to eligible services.
• help clients get copies of birth certificates. 
• pay application fees, transportation, access to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, utility assistance, and small household items.
• works with a new Mobile Crisis Response Unit along with the Columbus Police Department and Netcare. This unit is sent to help people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

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.