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University's Neighbors Benefit from Extension Outreach

The University District neighborhood east of The Ohio State University's Columbus campus is in a depressed central city area: 70 percent of children in this neighborhood live in households headed by a single mother; the median income of families is $17,425; and the elementary and middle schools in this area have lower-than-average proficiency test scores.

For years the University District has been served by various campus outreach programs, but there was no sustained effort for the area. In 2000, a donor provided a house for community outreach for the College of Education and Human Ecology to be used as a home base to establish a more permanent presence in the neighborhood. The "Human Ecology House" began ongoing programs to address the capacities and interests of nearby residents. In addition, the establishment in 2002 of an OSU Learning Center, with a state-of-the-art computer lab, at the nearby Godman Guild, established even stronger roots in the neighborhood.

By 2006, University District programming reached far into the community. Programs include:

• Active involvement in the Weinland Park Strategic Plan to create and retain employment opportunities in the area. OSU Extension has offered neighborhood residents financial management classes and computer literacy trainings, and has linked participants with human resource staff members from Ohio State and the OSU Medical Center.
• Coordination of a tax preparation service offered in collaboration with the city of Columbus and students from the Ohio State Fisher College of Business. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project, OSU Extension helped 196 families earn in excess of $259,000 in earned income and child tax credits. Supporters included J.P. Morgan Chase, Columbia Gas, Columbus Metro Federal Credit Union, U.S. Bank and Key Bank. An additional $5,000 grant from National City Bank will allow OSU Extension to assist low-income families even more by partnering with The Benefit Bank, a web-based program that enables income-eligible families to apply for public benefits.
• Participation in the summertime Columbus Franklin County Youth Works program, in which OSU Extension volunteers taught financial literacy and leadership development seminars to more than 80 youth.
• After-school programs, offered with funding from a 21st Century Learning Center grant in collaboration with the Columbus Public Schools. In the 2005-06 school year, about 125 students at Indianola Middle School participated in 4-H Youth Development after-school programs focused on academic achievement, substance abuse prevention, and health and wellness.
• Sponsorship of 19 low-income urban youth from both the University District and Franklinton areas of Columbus to attend 4-H Camp Ohio in June 2006, with the assistance of a $5,500 grant from the Columbus Youth Foundation. The youth enjoyed activities they were never before exposed to, including swimming, diving, canoeing, creek-walking, a high-ropes course, zip line, talent shows and campfire skits.
• Particpation of 91 students enrolled in the Godman Guild's General Education Diploma (GED) program, all of whom use the OSU Extension Learning Center's computer lab an average of 12 hours a week. Students who obtain their GED increase both their academic status and their earning potential.

For information on starting a such a program in your community, contact:

Susan Colbert
OSU Extension Educator
University District
colbert.22@osu.edu
614-866-6900

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Created: 2008-04-11, Updated: 2008-04-11