On May 4th, the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library didn't look like a quiet place to study. It looked like a living room for the neighborhood.
By the time the last neighbor left, 200+ people had come through, with the library reporting an 80% increase in their door count from the previous year.
Read MoreMake-A-Day is excited to share that we are kicking off an expanded phase of our Move the Box initiative through a new partnership with Franklin County. This investment, through the county’s Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison initiative, allows us to deepen and scale the legal navigation work we began in October 2025.
Read MoreIn Franklin County, expungement is legally possible but often out of reach for residents facing homelessness, poverty, and systemic racial inequities. Through our Move the Box Pop-Up Care Village we brought courts, attorneys, and community partners directly into the neighborhood, helping over 200 guests access support services that move them closer to housing, employment, and long-term stability.
Read MoreThis year’s Season of Warmth Pop-Up Care Village brought together neighbors, volunteers, and community partners in an unforgettable celebration of care and connection, where more than 160 guests found food, warmth, services, and human connection on a cold December afternoon. From haircuts and legal support to winter gear and shared laughter, the event reminded us that community itself can be the heat that carries us through the harshest months.
Read MoreThis past Monday, we celebrated a special moment in our ongoing partnership with the Hilltop Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The Hilltop staff helped us choose the name for the day’s meal, and their winning pick, Chilltop Chili, captured the personality of the neighborhood. It felt creative, welcoming, and full of heart.
Read MoreA mom homeschooling her kids at the library saw the sign that said “expungement applications” and whispered, “I need that.” Hours later, she became the first guest to walk out with her expungement process complete.
Read MoreOn September 25, neighbors across Franklin County gathered for Save A Life Day, a countywide effort to shift the overdose narrative from tragedy to prevention. From the packed room at Linden Fresh Market to the quiet reflection of the memorial table, the day was more than an event. It was a living demonstration of community care in action.
Read MoreSome days change lives quietly. At our Mindful Connections Pop-Up, 91 neighbors accessed housing, healthcare, recovery support, food security, and more, all in a single afternoon. From starting housing paperwork to getting a haircut before a job interview, every moment built momentum toward stability.
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