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PACT Quarterly Newsletter: I Can't Breathe
Your quarterly update on what's going on in your neighborhood.
Message from Autumn Glover, President
I. CAN’T. BREATHE.
As I sit here with my 3-year old daughter – I cry for my baby. My tears fall for mothers who have lost their children to police violence and hope the world will be different for her. The pain our community is feeling is real while also trying to think through next steps and how we get people to not only express empathy but get to work with us.
I am inspired when I see the resilience and determination of our people – and those in the community who stand with us – I know change is a coming.
The core of our work at PACT is based in the value of life. The people who live, work, worship and love the Near East Side have value, matter to us and inspire our work. Because of this, we seek to disrupt intergenerational cycles of poverty enabled by racist policies and unfair practices as it relates to housing, education, economic opportunity, and health. The events of today, as we battle the Covid-19 pandemic, the brutal murder of black men at the hands of police, and centuries of racism, we see the impacts on Black people. This is a direct result of the unjust systems that have a direct correlation to the chronic conditions of our people and many of our communities are exposed to.
WE ARE TIRED. Yet, we must keep moving forward.
We also see the spirit of resiliency through the courageous peaceful protesters who are asking for us to hear them, to listen, to act . Because I am wife, a mother and a community servant, I am choosing to lean into hope. PACT joins Columbus City Council, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Columbus Urban League, the Columbus NAACP, Wexner Medical Center and other partners to underscore that racism is a public health crisis. We MUST take immediate action to drive change.
Some people are posting on social media. Some are people are protesting. Some are donating silently. Some are educating themselves. Some are having tough conversations with family and friends. A revolution has a lane for everyone – be kind to yourself and others who are driving in the same direction. Just keep your foot on the gas.
Autumn Glover,
President
Celebrating all Columbus City School 2020 Graduates
PACT is proud of our Columbus City High School 2020 graduates and celebrate their accomplishments.
Covid-19 and the Digital Divide
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to limit physical interactions in order to mitigate the spread of disease in our communities. This required us to quickly adapt and create a digital society where we remain interconnected through the use of internet services. While this was an uncomfortable but manageable transition for some, a large number of others were not able to access these services. As jobs, education, and other responsibilities moved online, families found themselves unable to complete these duties. In fact, about one-third of low-income families don’t have high-speed access to the internet in their homes.
Internet access is a necessity and should be considered a utility rather than a luxury. PACT has established the Connected Communities Fund to create affordable access to technology and eliminate digital inequalities in our neighborhood. This improvement will create improved health outcomes through access to telehealth services, greater utilization of educational resources, and increased value to neighborhood developments, along with countless other positive effects. We will begin fundraising for this fund on June 10 as part of the Columbus Foundation’s Big Give. Look for more details, on how you can donate to support this effort.
PACT is launching the Connected Communities Fund on June 10 as part of Columbus Foundations’ Big 25-hour Big Give online giving event. Our Connected Communities Fund will help address the digital divide in our community by helping us purchase technology tools for students and families on the Near East Side. We ask that you pledge your financial support by donating through the Columbus Foundation June 10 beginning at 10 a.m. through June 11 until 11 a.m.
The Big Give is a campaign to help provide critical financial support to area nonprofit organizations such as PACT. The Columbus Foundation, its family of donors, and community and corporate partners have donated a $1 million+ to increase the funding support to qualified non- profits. Donations received during The Big Give will be boosted by the bonus pool, which means your dollars will go further and be magnified to help our funds grow even more. Please mark your calendars for the Big Give June 10 – June 11 and support PACT. Learn more here.
Buy Black – Every Day, Especially on Thursdays
Small business is the cornerstone of our community and is important to the health and wealth of the Near East Side. As we struggle with Covid-19 guidelines and orders, the impact to black and brown business has been significant. PACT encourages our community to support our small business in our community and Columbus. IN addition, we are promoting #BuyBlackThursdays, an action-oriented expression of our commitment to supporting small and minority-owned businesses. Please do your part and support these businesses on #buybackThursdays and beyond.
Wexner Medical Center Drives Mask Distribution
PACT continues to be actively engaged in community activities and events that make a difference to the residents of the Near East Side. Recently, PACT team members assisted The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in distributing 46,000 masks and nearly 10,000 Community Care Kits into the community. We will continue to strive to be a resource for the recovery and resilience of our community.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Offers Free COVID-19 Testing
Wexner Medical Center is offering COVID-19 testing in the northeast Columbus neighborhood.
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are having symptoms. Testing can help you, your family, your friends and co-workers.
Please call 614-366-6800 to find out if you should be tested. Be sure to say you are calling for community testing.
NO insurance is required at the testing sites, you will be served regardless of your ability to pay.
NO physician referral required. Results are typically available within 72 hours.
Wexner Medical Center Community Testing Center at KIPP Columbus, 2900 Inspire Drive, Columbus, OH 43224. Please call 614-366-6800 before arriving at the testing center.
Start Saving Energy And Help The Community – The Near East Energy Savers Program
Help the Near East Earn up to $35,000 for Energy Efficiency Upgrades, while earning incentives for your family. The neighborhood needs every resident, including renters, to participate in energy efficiency programs provided by AEP Ohio and Columbia Gas now through September 30, 2020 to earn up to $35,000 in grants. The grant funds would be used for a new produce refrigerator at the Ward YMCA as well as to add electricity at the 4 PACT community gardens, along with additional natural gas energy efficiency upgrades within the neighborhood. See the attached flyer for more information.
Near East Side Leadership Academy Supports Community
The 2020 Class of the Near East Side Leadership Academy consists of members from our community, asn is designed to support our community and or drive programs that engage the community. This year’s 2020 class focuses on the following areas:
How can NLA make an impact in our community before our May 7th graduation?
How can NLA properly introduce ourselves to the community as leaders and let them know we are here and present in the community?
How can NLA disrupt the “affects” of the Coronavirus aka “dat rona” in our community?
How can NLA continue to further develop its bond?
Aligned to those areas, NLA has successfully initiated and/or completed multiple events.
Collecting and creating personal sanitary and hygiene packages to give away to those in our community, resulting in the delivery of 50 COVID-19 Care Packages Collection. Items included: Mask, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorants, women’s pad/tampons, shaving razors, food and toys.
Volunteering at Central Community House – NLA supported Central Community House’s monthly community meal by helping with set-up and clean up, gave away over 40 handmade care packages, and added 30 additional meals from Mazah Mediterranean Eatery through the Cant Stop Columbus “We Feed Columbus” platform in addition to the community dinner.
Supporting small and minority businesses by visiting as a group – this will allow us to not only spend our dollars in our community but also give us a chance to talk and mingle with others in the community:
Upper Cup
Lifestyle Café
Chicago Fish and Chicken
Surprising our friend with a special Curbside Concert for Mrs. Pamela Shields – In light of Ms. Pam total knee replacement it limited her participation with the cohort, but we made a special effort to make sure Ms. Pam was still engaged remotely. We ended our cohort by requesting a concert through the Cant Stop Columbus platform “Curbside Concert” to provide Ms. Pam a concert of respect and appreciation right outside of her door.
Resources During COVID-19
Attention Small Business Owners - Take Advantage of SBA Loans During COVID-19 Pandemic
As a small business in our community, we recognize this COVID-19 outbreak is having a significant impact on your enterprise. PACT wants to share information that is important to you and your business.
As you know, during this unprecedented time, the national CARES Act was created to help small businesses get through the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. The federal government has designated $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. This means there are loans specific to your business that you may be able to leverage to support you through these financially challenging times.
The CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak. YOu will need to act quickly to take advantage of these financial support options.
Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating.
The Paycheck Protection Program is implemented by the Small Business Administration with support from the Department of the Treasury. Learn more here. You can also reach out to your financial institution to see if they are a lending provider.
Other important information:
Overview of SBA Paycheck forgiveness loan
Information for a Borrower
Borrower Application Form
Other Small Business Support Opportunities
This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties. Learn more.
Allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. Learn more.
The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
Finance Fund
The Finance Fund announced a new loan program intended to support organizations impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. COVID-19 Response Loans through Finance Fund will be offered at a zero percent interest rate and use of proceeds will be unrestricted. Finance Fund's COVID-19 Response Loans will begin accepting applications immediately. Applications are available.
Office of Small Business Relief
Governor DeWine announced today the creation of The Office of Small Business Relief (OSBR) focused on identifying and providing direct support to the state's nearly 950,000 small businesses to help during the current public health crisis and to position them for a span rebound. Find more information here.
Ohio Primary, Mail-In Election
The Ohio Secretary of State announced that the Ohio Primary Election has officially moved to April 28. Only those registered to vote by the primary deadline of February 18th are eligible to vote. Eligible voters in Franklin County who have not already cast their 2020 primary election ballot can request a mail-in ballot by April 25, postmarked by April 27. Voters may also hand deliver their request to 1700 Morse Road or call the Board of Elections 614-525-3100 for assistance. Due to the ongoing public health crisis in-person voting will be limited to individuals with disabilities and lacking a home address.
You Can Still Respond to the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is happening now. Taking the census is easy, fast and important. And you can take the 2020Census while you are at home – online, by phone, or by mail. Do your part and help Columbus and Franklin County get much needed funding for Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, school lunches, hospital and medical support and more. Learn more here.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium needs your input!
It’s important that community stakeholders give input, so our perspectives are included in long range planning for the Columbus Zoo.
As you may know, the Columbus Zoo is one of the best in the nation and is home to nearly 10,000 animals representing over 600 species from around the globe. It is a recreation and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and the 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio.
Thanks to the generosity of Franklin County taxpayers, the Columbus Zoo is able to meet its mission to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. It receives a small tax ($21 per $100,000) of a homeowner's property value on an annual basis. This accounts for 20 percent of the Columbus Zoo's annual budget. The Zoo employs more than 275 full-time employees over 2,000 seasonal employees and more than 750 dedicated volunteers.
Please take a moment to fill out the survey; your feedback is invaluable! We ask that you complete the survey by Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Click here to take the survey.
PACT Newsletter: Ten Years of Community Building
Message from Autumn Glover, Interim President
Happy New Year! January brings a renewed sense of energy, a rebirth of the spirit and reconnecting to our priorities. At PACT, we are proud to share that 2020 marks our 10-year anniversary! This year, as we refocus PACT’s work and projects, we continue our drive and commitment to the mission and vision that underscores PACT’s purpose.
While PACT has reimagined its structure and organization, our work remains the same – to create a healthy, financially and environmentally sustainable community where residents have access to safe and affordable housing, quality healthcare and education, and employment opportunities on the Near East Side.
Our signature programs are priorities for us in 2020. Among these are the Exterior Home Repair Program, The Ohio State University Employee Homeownership Incentive, Near East Side Neighborhood Leadership Academy and the Health Sciences Academies.
As we celebrate 10 years of building community in the PACT geography, we look forward to our work together in 2020.
Read more about our priorities and some of the recent activities taking place in the PACT geography.
Autumn Glover
Home Exterior Home Repair Efforts Continue
Before
After
The Exterior Home Repair Program, launched in 2014, continues to positively impact our community. To date, PACT’s initiative to provide exterior home improvements has benefitted 31 homes within the PACT geography. We are currently preparing for 2020 exterior home repairs – and hope to grow this program over the next five years.
Typical repairs have included roof repairs, new windows, siding, gutters and downspouts, front porch and/or deck repairs. Residents help to inform the scope of work for each renovation. PACT utilizes experts for repair consultation and trained technicians who meet individually with each homeowner to establish an individualized work plan. PACT oversees the repair project and ensures repairs are completed properly and within the scope of work. The average value of each repair is up to $10,000. This program has been made possible with generous funding from Ohio State, United Way of Central Ohio, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and Fifth Third Bank.
Homeownership Options Support PACT Housing Market
The Near East Side Homeownership Incentive Program is designed to help increase homeownership in the PACT geography. The incentive offers financial assistance to employees of The Ohio State University (including Wexner Medical Center) interested in calling the Near East Side home. The home must be located within the PACT geography boundaries, including Hamilton Avenue to the west, East Broad Street to the south, Woodland Avenue to the east and Leonard Avenue to the north.
Ohio State faculty and staff with at least a 50 percent full-time equivalency are eligible for the funding, as long as the purchased house or condominium is their primary residence. Participants receive an $8,000, no-interest forgivable loan, which can be used for a down payment, closing costs or reducing the principal amount of a home.
Employees must reside in the residence for at least five years, otherwise a prorated balance is due to Ohio State. Since it has launched more than 20 faculty and staff have taken advantage of the opportunity to call this beautiful community home!
Employees interested in learning more can download the application and contact PACT, 614-247-8037.
Leadership Academy Supports Near East Side
PACT and United Way of Central Ohio are pleased to introduce a new group of Near East Side Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NESNLA) participates to the community. The Academy is an initiative that provides a curriculum to develop neighborhood leadership. The 40-hour curriculum prepares neighborhood champions to step into leadership roles in community improvement initiatives and provides guidance in working with and through local governance to create grassroots solutions to community challenges. Several projects that support the community in a number of ways, including the NLA Food Rescue Project, have been initiated by NLA members.
In December, Ohio State’s President, Dr. Michael Drake, and his wife, Brenda Drake hosted NESNLA alumni and the incoming class of the Academy to celebrate the great work and accomplishments of these leaders.
Congratulations to Class III who will begin their journey in 2020!
Barbara Clark
Camille Doty
Martina Grundy
Tashuana Hardy
Shavonne Jones
Jenae Parker
Tracy Ross
Ric Sarpong
Pamela Shields
David Tweet
Russell Underwood
Jerry Valentine
PACT Welcomes Graduate Students
PACT is proud to support students and help them gain real life workforce experiences. This year, we welcomed two graduate assistants who will support PACT in our community development efforts.
Randy Johnnicon will graduate in 2021 from the Master of Health Administration program at The Ohio State University. He originates from Atlanta, GA where he earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University. Randy has skills in planning, analytics, and finance.
Gerika Logan is a second-year Master of City and Regional Planning student at The Ohio State University. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio University where she studied Organizational Communication and Geography. Since 2017, she has served in the Ohio Army National Guard as a Culinary Specialist. She currently volunteers with Columbus Landmarks.
Calling All Artists
PACT is launching a public art project and seeking artists
PACT is launching a public art project and seeking artists to help celebrate the rich history of Columbus’ Near East Side with a spotlight on historic Bronzeville. The public art project centers around six bike rack installations throughout the PACT geography. Each bike rack will display six custom plate artwork pieces inspired by historic locations in the neighborhood.
Applications from individual artists will be accepted through March 6, 2020. Artists will choose from a selection of locations to influence their creative piece(s). All pieces must conform and present nicely in the 15.5” diameter plate and must be digitally formatted. Artists will retain the rights to all pieces. Artists will license their pieces to PACT for purposes of the bike rack and related marketing and promotional efforts. A total of six pieces will be selected.
Selected artists will receive a cash award of $500 for the selected installation. Artists are able to enter no more than 2 pieces.
Again, applications are due by March 6, 2020. Artists interested in participating eastpact.org. Questions can be directed to info@eastpact.org.
Health Sciences Academies
PACT continues our commitment to the Health Sciences Academies. The Health Sciences Academies (HSAs), is a partnership between Columbus City Schools and PACT is to produce successful, positive outcomes for the children and families of the Near East Side of Columbus and to transform the PACT geography into an education destination of choice.
East High School, Champion Middle School, Beatty Park, Eastgate, Ohio Avenue, and Trevitt elementary schools have all benefited from our collaboration with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to provide hands-on educational experiences in the areas of health sciences.
Creating experiences for youth that open their eyes to possibilities
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, under the leadership of Dr. Darrell Mason Gray II, and through its partnership with PACT and Columbus City Schools is exposing students in the Health Sciences Academies to medicine as a way to reduce barriers for black children who may want to pursue medicine. The mentorship, visibility of medical staff from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in the schools and their interaction with students is making a difference.
Listen to a recent StoryCorpS interview conducted by Dr. Gray and Tei Street, director of education for The Ohio State University.
Preserving the Unique History of PACTs Rich Housing Stock
Honoring our heritage and building our future is at the heart of what we do. In partnership with Ohio State student leaders, PACT is launching a Home Lineage Project focused on gathering stories, data and lineage information to help highlight the rich history of housing stock in our community. Homeowners will have the opportunity to learn how to gather data and capture information about their property through this project. The history of the homes in our community underline our historic past and build a sense of community among residents. A complete guide with instructions on how to capture photos, research your home and more is available EASTPACT.org.
Unique Collaboration to Bring Apartments to the Near East Side
48 Parkwood, Ltd. is working to revive an important landmark and area just across the street from Columbus East High School. 48 Parkwood has been listed on the Columbus Landmarks Foundation list of most endangered sites. The effort is a collaboration between the Ohio Baptist General Convention (OBGC), a long-time historic religious organization; an investor from a long-time prominent Near East Side family, Otto Beatty III; and a local developer who has a passion for the redevelopment of community assets and has a proven track record of Near East Side renovations, Kelley Companies.
“We are excited to bring additional new and quality housing to an emerging area of the Near East Side,” said Otto Beatty III. “I believe the students, faculty, and alumni of East High School will be inspired by new development and investment adjacent to the high school. Beatty underscored, “I am especially proud to be a part of preserving a truly historical property in the neighborhood that has been so important to my family for past 80 years.”
The development fits in well with Columbus City Schools investment in the school building, the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s new Martin Luther King Library, and the individual residential investments of families in the area:
• 48 Parkwood, using state and federal historic tax credits, will have nine, one-bedroom apartments inside the historic structure.
• The non-historic buildings at 32 and 40 Parkwood will be demolished and replaced with a brand new 3-story building, bringing 27 apartment residences.
“We looked at all the options and determined that the only pathway to saving the historic 48 Parkwood building would be to obtain state and federal tax credits and to replace the adjacent two non-historic buildings with a newly-built apartment building,” said Michael Kelley, partner, Kelley Companies. “The plan we came up with is a good one, and if the project happens, it’ll be a win for the OBGC, a win for the neighborhood, and a win for advocates of historic preservation.”
With State of Ohio approved tax credits, the 48 Parkwood team will continue its plans to preserve the historic site. Total renovations will result in the creation of 36 mostly one-bedroom boutique apartments, reviving a sight that has been blighted for years.
Aminah Robinson Fellowship and Residency
artwork by Marshall L. Shorts
The Greater Columbus Arts Council recently announced the Aminah Robinson Fellowship and the Aminah Robinson Residency. The 2020 Fellowship is open to one local African American artist who resides in Franklin County and the 2020 Residency is open to one African American artist in the United States. This is an opportunity for artists to - https://www.gcac.org/grants-services/individual-artist-fellowships/
The Greater Columbus Arts Council, in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art, offers a 90-day artist fellowship and unrestricted award for a local professional African American visual artist residing in Franklin County. The fellowship is intended to provide an artist with the gift of time to develop a work in progress and connect to resources related to the work of MacArthur Fellow Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson.
Thanks so much for helping us spread the word about the 2020 Aminah Robinson Fellowship and Residency within your networks and for helping us honor Aminah Robinson’s legacy.
Give Kids A Smile Day
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is offering free dental exams, cleanings, extractions, filling and crowns for children under 18 years of age. The event is Saturday, February 8 at the College of Dentistry, Postle Hall, 305 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. You must call 614.688.3783 to schedule an appointment. Learn more.