Featured Programs

Safety is one of South Side residents’ main concerns. Partnering with neighborhood and community stakeholders, the HNHF initiative works to improve the safety of South Side residents.

Block Watch

Nationwide Children’s has partnered with the neighborhood block watch. 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. In 2014, eight vacant lots were cleaned and rid of overgrown weeds and shrubs, and litter was removed from 14 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 35 leaders have graduated. 

https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/neighborhood-partnership-center/

Urban Food Forest

Funded by a Parcels to Places Grant, the Urban Food Forest features 13 plant beds, one raised plant bed that is handicap accessible and fruit trees surround the garden.