https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/10/13/ywca-29-million-family-center-project.html YWCA kicks off nearly $3 million project to renovate outdoor amenities at Family Center YWCA Columbus has started a $2.9 million renovation project at one of its facilities. The YWCA Family Center at 900 Harvey Court serves as an emergency shelter for families in need. Built in 2005, it features 50 rooms for families and offers support services, healthy meals and more. In 2022, the Family Center housed nearly 1,000 people, 58% of whom were children, according to an impact report. When the renovations are complete, the center will have new play spaces, sports courts, lighting, sidewalks and more. There will be areas for different age groups, more spots for families to gather together and sit and spaces for children to practice various sports. YWCA Columbus CEO Elizabeth Brown said the project is a labor of love. "We have so many supporters at our backs that have funded this effort and brought us to this," she said. "I was recently down the street at the neighborhood commission meeting to explain to them this project was happening in their neighborhood, and to a person, every one of the commissioners was excited for us and thrilled for the way that it would benefit their neighborhood because they know that the individuals who are unhoused and staying in our family center, they feel those are their neighbors. So, whether you live in our facility, you live down the street or you live several miles away, the overall health of the community happens here." Brown said it's important that the nonprofit give families at the center a place of belonging. "They really can have that sense of normalcy when they come home to our shelter at the end of their days," she said. Funding for the renovations came from a number of sources, including government funds, individual and community fundraising efforts, corporate and private donors and more. Some of the biggest contributors included the Blue Jackets Foundation, the Nationwide Foundation, the Crane Group, Installed Building Products, PNC Bank, Champion Companies, U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, the Franklin County Commissioners and the city of Columbus. The YWCA is Central Ohio's 22nd-largest social services nonprofit, according to Columbus Business First research, with 2022 revenue of $16.1 million. __________________________ The project includes a renovation of the existing playground including the demolition of the existing playground, new play equipment, play surfacing, sidewalks, fences, site furnishings, shade structures, storm sewer system, site lighting, and parking lot expansion. Submit Questions to EMH&T Franco Manno5500 New Albany Road Columbus, Ohio 43054 fmanno@emht.com