Good Works Columbus: April 1, 2024
Citywide litter cleanup, COTA service meetings, pollinator field clean up and more
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday! The weather is warming up and that means more opportunities to volunteer outside. If you can’t make it to an event this week there are plenty of other chances later this month to help out. Check out all the options happening throughout the month all around town for Earth Day.
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions.
Things you can do in person
(EDIT) Forgot to include in this week’s email newsletter: Strong Towns Columbus is holding their April meeting tomorrow at the northside library meeting room 1 at 6:30pm
2024 Cleaner Columbus Citywide Cleanup
Council Member Emmanuel Remy, in conjunction with Keep Columbus Beautiful, is hosting the 3rd Annual Cleaner Columbus Citywide Cleanup to promote awareness and education around littering and encourage neighbors, local organizations, and businesses to pick up litter. All supplies will be provided.
All participants will meet at the Goodale Shelterhouse (120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215) before cleaning the designated areas.
Please join COTA on Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m. or Tuesday, April 9 at noon for our public information meetings to discuss upcoming May service changes.
There are two ways to attend:
In person at 33 N. High St.
Online via Facebook Live
Learn more at COTA.com/servicechanges
Please join us on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Scioto Audubon Metro Park to participate in The Hunger Run 5K and help chase hunger out of Central Ohio!
We are hosting the 5th Annual Hunger Run 5K in support of Neighborhood Services Inc. (NSI), a local food pantry and resource center located right here in Columbus, Ohio. Our goal is to spread awareness about hunger and food insecurity in central Ohio, bring the community together, and raise money for Neighborhood Services Inc.
food (in)security and community gardens
April 4, 6:30-7:30 pm
NEAC’s Community Engagement invites you this discussion at its monthly committee meeting on Thursday, April 4 at the Neighborhood Pride Center, 1393 E. Broad Street, Columbus, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Discussion will include growing & selling food, where are volunteers needed, how can the community better support each others efforts, and more.
Panel includes Bronzeville Growers, Four Seasons City Farm, Columbus Public Health, Growing and Growth Collective, Franklin Park Growing to Green, Broad Street Presbyterian Church and Local Matter.
(Saturday April 6 10am-1pm) Help Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries (FACT) tend to our one-acre Columbus parkland pollinator field. Volunteers will weed the prairie and clean-up trash from out of surrounding city park and adjacent woodland forest. We'll provide loaner tools, gloves, trash bags, beverages & snacks. Meet us on east outside of the Mock Park's Willis Athletic Center, 2520 Mock Rd., Columbus 43219. Please wear work shoes and dress appropriately for outdoor work. Questions: info@friendsofalumcreek.org or leave phone message 614-569-8544
Things you can do online
(survey: 5-10 minutes) Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is conducting an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) audit to identify ways to ensure its programs and facilities are accessible and welcoming to residents of all abilities. This survey is designed to help Columbus Recreation and Parks locate areas of most significant concern to the public and help us provide better access throughout our community. As you answer these questions, please consider only Columbus Recreation and Parks-owned public properties, programs, services, activities, and other public amenities.
Join us to fund abortion & build power!
Legal abortion access means nothing if patients can't afford abortion care. Join us to fundraise for Abortion Fund of Ohio—an organization that helps patients with financial and practical supports! 100% of fundraising funds patient costs—from covering the appointment itself to childcare, transportation, & travel. Click here for more information and to donate towards the Good Works Columbus team page!
(survey: 5 minutes) The city of Hilliard is resurfacing Heritage Club Drive and is looking for input on the design. This portion is part of the Hellbranch Trail and there is an opportunity to turn a shared sidewalk into a two-way separated bike lane and a sidewalk.
Save the Date
(4/9 at 7:30pm) Transit Columbus April meeting at the Columbus downtown library
Join the Care Economy Organizing Project in fighting for equitable childcare. The work of caring for our children and families is some of the most important work in our lives. Affordable, quality child care makes it possible for parents to go out and do what we do every day, knowing that the most precious people in our lives are in good hands. Yet, it’s some of the most invisible and undervalued work. It's time to invest in expanding affordable, quality child care, with living wages for the hardworking child care providers who care for and nurture our children.
In Case You Missed It
(5 minutes) Complete the Eastland Community Survey #2. Check out the slide deck from the latest public engagement meeting here.
(2 minutes) Urge Congress to Invest in Affordable Homes in Fiscal Year 2025
Robust federal investments for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs are needed to address the growing affordable housing and homelessness crisis in communities across the country.
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
“Two new bills—from Senators Ed Markey and John Fetterman respectively—set Complete Streets as a minimum design mandate, taking a step towards safer streets for all road users. With over 40,000 pedestrian deaths on our roadways in the last decade, there’s no time to lose. Tell your senator to cosponsor the Building Better Streets Act and Complete Streets Act!”
Mark up the Vision Zero Columbus map. Have a close call walking, biking, or getting around town? Do you know a dangerous intersection that can be improved? Help identify these spots on the Vision Zero map.
Upper Arlington Public Library workers are forming a union. Tell the UA Library board to recognize their union!
(2 minutes) Tell your elected officials to stop highway expansions! “A coalition of 200 organizations nationwide is calling on elected leaders to adopt a moratorium on expanding highways and a pause on existing projects until climate, equity, and maintenance goals are met. Tell your elected leaders to end the destructive, unsustainable practice of highway building and set a responsible course toward a cleaner and more equitable future.”
Sign up to gather signatures for the “Citizens Not Politicians” Amendment and help end gerrymandering in the state of Ohio through this ballot initiative. Link to become a signature gatherer.
Have a great day everyone!