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Linden Clean Columbus Initiative Offers Employment Opportunity for Linden Residents

Join the Linden Clean Columbus Ambassadors — Earn Extra Holiday Cash

Columbus City Council, with the leadership of Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, will launch the Cleaner Columbus Employment Program on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020.  The Community of Caring Development Foundation is honored to have been selected as one of five organizations coordinating the cleanup efforts.

“As an extension of our ongoing Health & Hope initiative throughout Linden, we welcome the opportunity to serve in partnership with Councilmember Remy and the Columbus City Council as a vehicle for continued investment in the core asset of Linden, it’s people,” said Adam K. Troy, Executive Director for the Community of Caring Development Foundation.

According to a July study on the impact of COVID-19 in major US cities, more than half of residents reported experiencing serious financial challenges, said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy.  The Cleaner Columbus Employment Program will provide employment to local residents experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19.

Over the course of two weeks, workers will be paid a minimum of $15 per hour. The five organizations receiving the grant funds will prioritize enrolling residents who have experienced employment disruption.

The program offers residents in five neighborhoods the opportunity to have temporary employment for two weeks performing litter cleanup and neighborhood beautification. In partnership with the Community of Caring Development Foundation, the Linden Clean Columbus initiative is scheduled to kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 14.  Please watch our website for registration — coming soon!

The following five agencies are accepting applications:

COMMUNITY OF CARING DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Focus Area: Linden
https://callingallconnectors.org/about/
Phone: (614) 484-0911

FRANKLINTON BOARD OF TRADEFocus Area: Franklinton
https://www.franklintonbot.org/
Phone: (614) 398-2435

GREATER HILLTOP AREA SHALOM ZONEFocus Area: Hilltop
https://www.hilltopshalomzone.org
Phone: (614) 398-1230

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL PEOPLEFocus Area: South Columbus
https://www.4allpeople.org/
Phone: 614-445-7342

AFRICENTRIC PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SHOPFocus Area: East Columbus
https://apdsinc.org/
Phone: 614-253-4448

 

 

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Opinion: COVID-19 hits hardest in communities of color

Columbus Dispatch Guest Opinion 

Two months ago, New Salem Church’s 30-year-old food pantry was a place where the community was welcomed inside the doors. The environment was full of conversation, music and laughter. You could find a pat on the back, a hug and a word of inspiration.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed all of that. Now, for the safety of our volunteers and clients, cars line up in the church’s parking lot, people phone in their orders, our volunteers bring boxes of food and other necessary household items out to the car, load them and then watch clients drive away to make room for the next car.

From February to March, we saw a steady increase in new clients, up 32%, and senior citizens, up 28%. The line grows longer each week with people who’ve never needed help putting a meal on the table. In the U.S., the black community is taking the biggest hit. People are hurting and dying disproportionately as we struggle to control the COVID-19 world pandemic. And in Columbus’ Linden community, we are feeling the full wake of the curve.

Linden residents felt the COVID-19 pandemic free fall before most Ohioans as Linden-based restaurant and hospitality workers began losing income on March 5, 2020, when Gov. Mike DeWine, for safety reasons, prohibited spectators and exhibitors from attending a major sporting event in Columbus.

Nearly 60% of employed Linden residents work low-wage service industry jobs, and 58% of neighborhood residents are housing cost-burdened. Additionally, more than 38% of all households in Linden include children, who are typically fed at school. The loss of income for many residents has exacerbated tenuous housing situations.

The area’s food insecurity and housing instability are sure to intensify during the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath. The gap of inequity in health outcomes and social determinants of health that existed before the world pandemic is now wider than ever before and deadlier.

The two largest food pantries in Linden, Bread of Life Food Pantry run by New Salem’s Community of Caring Development Foundation and St. Stephen’s Community House, are among the few still open. In addition to requests for food, more people are calling daily for rent and utilities assistance.

In the ongoing months, as the impact on our economy and our communities is unveiled, we must think through what public policy changes are needed in a post-COVID-19 world to improve our quality of life and eradicate the inequities that arrest our full potential, keeping many citizens struggling behind the rest of society.

In the meantime, we are all aware of the need for more testing and tracking in Columbus’ communities of color and throughout the city. And there is an urgent need for data collection, specifically in the African American and Hispanic communities so we can better understand how the virus spreads and find ways to mitigate it.

A slow, gradual reopening of the economy is the best approach and will bring relief, hopefully, for our area’s workers who are ready to go back to earning a living. However, we must remember the disproportionate number of people of color, many working in essential jobs around the city, who are vulnerable citizens with high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, heart disease and undergoing cancer therapy. They need our ongoing protection during these times of uncertainty. We all have a role to play. Let’s be responsible.

And let’s remain faithful and be a resource people can depend on, even if it’s just your next-door neighbor or an elderly family member. During these challenging times, we must be there for our neighbors and then make it our new normal.

The future is uncertain; it is going to be a long, hard road for us all. But if we remain committed to helping others, donating and volunteering when we can, staying at home and wearing a mask in public, we can successfully practice social distancing without becoming socially disconnected.

#Lindenstrong

Adam K. Troy is director of missions, New Salem Baptist Church and chief engagement officer of the Community of Caring Development Foundation, the economic and development arm of New Salem Baptist Church.

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COVID-19 Message — Stay Connected

Message From The Community of Caring Development Foundation (COCDF)

As your community and economic development partner, the Community of Caring Development Foundation (COCDF) cares for the health and well-being of all our neighbors in Linden and Columbus, which is aligned with our mission of creating a connected community. During this coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that we stay connected as a community and share information and resources.

We are closely monitoring the situation. Please take care to review the information below.

The City of Columbus public health officials are working in tandem with federal, state and local officials and agencies to continuously monitor the evolving coronavirus/ COVID-19 situation and appropriately alter its response plans to mitigate community spread.  Health officials strongly recommend that seniors and those most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill consider avoiding large crowds, traveling only if necessary, and taking extra precautions when leaving the house. It’s also recommended that all residents:

  • Clean your hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • If you are sick, stay home, unless you are seeking medical care. Look out for symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. If you’re not familiar with your employer’s sick leave policy, please talk to your supervisor or HR representative.
  • While sick, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, phones and tabletops.
  • Social distancing is key to slowing the spread of the virus. According to the CDC, maintain about six feet of personal space and avoid public places like movie theaters and shopping centers. Avoiding shaking hands and touching, as much as possible, by practicing social distancing – an infection control action intended to stop or slow down the spread of the contagious disease. The objective of social distancing is to reduce the probability of contact between persons carrying an infection, and others who are not infected, to minimize disease transmission, morbidity and ultimately, mortality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all events with more than 10 people be canceled in the U.S. The agency also provides the following insights:

  1.     STAY INFORMED: To make sure you have the most up-to-date information, check the CDC site regularly or sign up for the CDC newsletter here, and share the information with your neighbors.
  2.     BE PREPARED: Make sure to have enough food, household supplies, water, vitamins and medications for each person (and pet) in your home. If you run out of supplies, let neighbors know so they can share or direct you to available supplies at businesses in your local area. Should you become ill, it is important to have health supplies on hand including pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, and fluids with electrolytes.
  3.     GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: Talk with your neighbors (particularly the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions) about emergency planning and let them know you’re there to help. According to the CDC, older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Localized community response can be critical during times when federal, state and local authorities are overwhelmed.
  4.     IDENTIFY AID ORGANIZATIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Create a list of local organizations that you can contact for information, health care services, support, resources, and mental health or counseling services.
  5.     CREATE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST: Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

As we tighten our daily interactions and remain closer to home let’s use this as an opportunity to support the businesses in our community who service and support us every day!

Resources 

Federal, state and city: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.htm

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Novel-Coronavirus/welcome/

https://www.columbus.gov/publichealth/

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/

Unemployment Compensation:

http://jfs.ohio.gov/coronavirus for new information and visit http://unemployment.ohio.gov

Community Aid Resources from around Ohio including Central Ohio.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M6NIp9liiQyoFMaAbQNW2A082eJ_bDZCKyfeF4s-Cb4/edit?usp=drivesdk

Volunteer or donate to the Columbus City Schools. 

https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/7564

What do you do if you are sick? 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fsteps-when-sick.html

Is Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

How to keep work, schools and homes safe.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html

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Events

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Linden Farmers Market Launches Second Season of Fresh Produce and More

Linden Farmers MarketMarket brings Linden residents together to connect, replenish, and promote community health

With the success of the 2018 pilot season of the Linden Farmers Market, the Community of Caring Development Foundation (COCDF) agreed to return with even more fresh produce grown by local farmers, hot food from local food vendors, beautifully created baked goods, body and home products, clothing, local art, jewelry, and more.

Sponsored by the Community of Caring Development Foundation (COCDF), New Salem Baptist Church, The City of Columbus, The Columbus Foundation, Molina Healthcare, United Way, and PNC Bank, the 2019 season of the Linden Farmers Market hosted more than 400 people on its opening day, Sunday, July 7, 2019, and will be open every Sunday, July 7 – Sept. 1 from 12-3 p.m., at Gye Nyame Place, 2830 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, at the intersection of Cleveland Ave. and E. Lakeview.

In addition to fresh vegetables, hot food and other products, there are also learning opportunities, such as container gardening classes and a community-driven compost project, as well as live music every week by the Market House Band – CCS’s Fort Hayes graduate Rubin Traylor’s Soubdsofru Duo and other special performances.

“The Linden Farmers Market has become a place where community happens, and I’m excited that we’re up and running again for a second year,” said Landon J. Adams, market manager. “We look forward to connecting with old and new friends as well as our community partners. We proudly support Linden-based growers and vendors, as well as vendors of color and women-owned businesses. The market is an oasis in an area that’s become a food desert. It’s here that we display our Linden PRIDE, reconnect with residents, and welcome neighbors from across the Central Ohio region.”

Community groups, food vendors, and local artists who want a table to share information, produce, art, and other goods, are welcomed. The Linden Farmers Market accepts SNAP and WIC Farmers Market coupons and participates in Produce Perks matching program. Some vendors accept LifeCare Alliance senior coupons as well. The market includes such vendors as:

Freshtown Farm
Kennedy Farm
Happy Toes Homestead
Seminary Hill Farm
Blueberried Alive
Tiger Mushroom
Greater Columbus Growing Collaborative
Too Good Eats
Ohio City Pasta
Midway Concession
Jose Madrid
Aunt Vicki’s Pies
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