Good Works Columbus: November 24th, 2025
Hi friends, welcome to Good Works Columbus! If you’re new here, this is a newsletter that shares things you can do both online and in person to make Columbus a better place. If you have suggestions on things to share, feel free to reply to this email!
Things you can do in person
Leadership Program for Aspiring Housing Advocates
The Platform is a cutting-edge leadership course that gives Central Ohio residents the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for the housing issues they care about.
You'll build your advocacy network, learn directly from the experts, develop and refine tactical skills, explore policy spaces with a curious group of peers, and have a blast!
FLOW: Black Friday Litter Pickup
Friday, November 28th 10:00am-12:00pm
240 W. Oakland Ave., Columbus, OH
We would love for you to join us for our traditional Black Friday Litter Cleanup along the Olentangy River. Join us at Tuttle Park by yourself, or with friends or family members of any age. FLOW will bring gloves, litter grabbers, trash bags, and have water and snacks for volunteers! We have room for everyone to join us. Please dress for the weather as this is a rain-or-shine event. We highly recommend sturdy, closed toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
Things you can do online
Support Columbus Metropolitan Library Workers
Columbus Metropolitan Library workers are forming their union! Add your name to pledge your support for CML workers!Franklin County Safer Streets Survey
Franklin County is committed to improving safety on our roadways, reducing fatalities and severe injuries.To do this, the County is completing a Safety Action Plan, to address road safety for ALL road users. Using the Safe System Approach, Franklin County will identify the key factors in severe crashes, combining data analysis with YOUR feedback. Take the survey here: https://wspengages.com/FranklinSS4A
Regional Cycling Guide Survey
Your feedback will inform the development of MORPC’s new 15-county Central Ohio Greenways trail user map, several curated cycling routes through the region, and information to help people get the most out of their trail experience. Take the survey at https://t.co/4GApi3HYKGColumbus Stand Up!
Sign Petition to Say No To AEP Rate Hikes
Electricity prices in central Ohio have risen at an unsustainable pace, outpacing inflation by 40%. For some families, this means choosing between paying the electric bill and putting food on the table. For seniors and low-income residents, it means risking unsafe temperatures in their homes. And for small businesses, it can mean layoffs. The reality is inflated electricity costs are taking away money from all central Ohio residents managing a U.S. affordability crisis.Despite the growing burden on central Ohio residents, AEP Ohio is requesting that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approve yet another rate increase, as the Wall Street utility continues to report substantial profits and reward shareholders. It’s time for PUCO to stand with residents and small businesses and say no to AEP Ohio’s proposed increase.
Let’s send a clear message: Central Ohioans are done paying more for less. It’s time to say lights out on AEP.
Hold HUD Accountable, Protect CoC Program Funding
We are facing a grave threat to Ohio's homeless response system and the homes of over 10,000 formerly homeless Ohioans. Last week HUD issued last-minute changes to the federal Continuum of Care program would divert about $3.5 billion away from supportive housing and rapid rehousing programs. In Ohio, this would result in a shift of about $80 million that will destabilize the housing of about 10,000 formerly homeless Ohioans.Join COHHIO in advocating for HUD to protect CoC funding to house homeless Ohioans!
Call and email your members of Congress (especially if Mike Carey is your rep) to ask them to support language in an upcoming appropriations bill to require HUD to renew all CoC grants expiring in calendar year 2026 for a full year. (Download talking points) Use the National Alliance to End Homelessness Advocacy Tool to send out a prefilled email to your representatives.
Other Stuff
Don’t Buy Starbucks
Things I’m reading/watching:
Senator’s Selects 11/19/2025
Senator Meow breaks down the most recent elections in central Ohio.Local Politics: A step away from the status quo from Matter News
Local Politics: Accountability can’t exist without transparency from Matter News
Opening of New Section of Olentangy Trail Spurs Safety Concerns from Columbus Underground
Can you get to a Columbus high school on a COTA bus? Follow the journey from Columbus Dispatch
Where Columbus is spending $750M in taxpayer cash on affordable housing from Columbus Dispatch
Have a great day everyone!
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