Good Works Columbus: July 29, 2024
AHACO housing cohort, Bike Lane Uprising visit, LinkUS trails feedback
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday! If you are a “youth” (15-24) or know someone that falls under that category, there’s still a couple days to apply for the Columbus Youth Climate Action Fund.
After more than a week, the city of Columbus tech still appears to be down from an apparent phishing attack, so if you need to get a hold of city council you can email the Community Engagement Team at cbuscouncil.communityaffairs@gmail.com.
There’s one major action item this week, so be sure to check out the proposed LinkUS trail projects and leave a comment or two. There’s a new housing advocacy academy starting up by Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio that you can check out below. Also, save the date for the next Transit Columbus meeting with guest Christina Whitehouse of Bike Lane Uprising.
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
Columbus Youth Climate Action Fund (Deadline this week!) 🌎
This new micro grant program is now accepting applications for youth-led climate projects that support environmental justice and meeting our Columbus Climate Action Plan goals. A project can receive up to $5,000 from the grant and applications will be accepted through 8/2. For more details on the program, including how to apply, check the link here.Transit Columbus meeting/Bike Lane Uprising meet and greet (August 13th)
MORPC/GOhio commute Summer Commute Challenge (July 1-August 31) 🚍
Do you ever carpool or vanpool, take transit, bike, walk, or ride an e-scooter to work? Have you thought about trying one of these sustainable transportation modes? With Gohio Commute's Make Your Miles Matter: Summer Challenge, you can earn rewards for simply logging the trips that you already take!
Join our July-August Commuting Challenge by logging trips between July 1 – August 31, 2024 and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards. Registration & contest details can be found at GohioCommute.com/MORPC. Please contact the Gohio Commute team at Gohio@morpc.org with any questions you may have.
New advocacy academy opportunity from Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. First cohort starting in August 🏠
Affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Central Ohio. Rents are rising, homeownership is slipping out of reach, and property taxes continue to climb. It’s easy to feel compelled to help fix these problems... but it’s hard to know where to start.
The Platform, hosted by the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, is an innovative new leadership program that gives Central Ohio’s residents the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for housing affordability.Over nine months, a small cohort of peers will learn new advocacy skills, practice together in a learning lab, and build affirming relationships that support the next generation of housing advocates. Along the way, housing experts from across the region will mentor the group and share their insights on today’s trending topics, from preventing homelessness to expanding homeownership.
The Platform helps you develop the advocacy skills you want. Monthly events include high-demand trainings like how to write compelling letters to the editor, how to craft persuasive public testimony, where to gather facts and data to support your arguments, and how to host impactful meetings that get your voice heard.The Platform is free for Central Ohio residents who are ready to take their advocacy to the next level and commit to attending the full nine-month program. But participation is limited to the first 10 individuals to register. Whether you're a board member, a volunteer, or just a neighbor who is ready to help their community, this is the space for you!
Registration is first-come, first-serve and ends no later than August 15, 2024, when participants will be notified that they were enrolled. We kick off the Platform's 2024 cohort with a mixer on August 28th to get to know each other.
Visit AHACO online to learn more about the Platform and share with a friend. Or reach out to our Director of Community Partnerships, Anna Teye Kasongo, with questions.
Things you can do online
LinkUS unveils proposed map for sidewalks, bikeways, and trails; seeks public feedback.
Central Ohio residents are encouraged to provide input on the 83 proposed projects representing more than 150 miles of new sidewalks, bikeways, and trails during the public comment period from July 25 to August 23.Residents can view an interactive map displaying the proposed projects and comment directly on the map at https://morpc.org/moresidewalks. All comments must be submitted directly on the interactive map, by e-mail to tsi@morpc.org or in writing to Shelby Oldroyd, Re: Transit-Supportive Infrastructure, 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215. The deadline to submit feedback is by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024.
Other Stuff
Bikes For All People (934 Parsons Ave. Columbus, OH 43206) are seeking bicycle trailers for their patrons that need to transport goods. If you have a child or pet trailer that you aren’t using please consider donating.
In Case You Missed It
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
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.
Have a great day everyone!