One Year In: A Letter from Christy
On August 5, I hit one year as Executive Director of Make-A-Day.
Just a quiet moment in the middle of a week full of pop-up planning, budget reviews, and a new guest intake that kept me thinking long after I got home.
Still, it felt important to pause, to look back, even briefly, and notice how far we’ve come.
When I stepped into this role last year, I knew the work would be hard. What I didn’t expect was how much it would stretch my understanding of what’s possible. I’ve learned that leading in this space means holding tension every single day: between compassion and capacity, between what people need and what systems allow, between urgency and sustainability.
But I’ve also learned that even in the most broken spaces, people show up, with generosity, creativity, grit, and grace.
And because of that, this past year, we’ve done a lot.
We’ve…
Served over 14,800 guests through outreach events, pop-ups, and street engagement.
Delivered 12,000+ chef-prepared meals, 500+ haircuts, and nearly 1,000 hygiene kits.
Helped 428 guests navigate housing and 543 more connect to critical social services.
Supported 23 individuals in securing permanent housing.
Prepped the launch of Move the Box, our mobile expungement program, bringing legal support directly to people living in encampments and transitional housing.
Brought on our innovative legal supports for households facing eviction and became a leading harm reduction partner in the region.
Partnered with OSU’s College of Nursing, joined the Pathways HUB, and expanded our network of resources.
The numbers aren’t the most important thing. What matters most are the moments in between.
This year, we also made some intentional shifts. Already, 85 guests have received individualized case management, more than doubling last year’s number. We’re integrating legal services, healthcare, housing navigation, and behavioral health, focused on building real relationships.
We’re asking ourselves the hard questions:
How do we stay rooted in dignity and flexibility while also growing sustainably?
How do we keep showing up, not just to meet needs, but to fight for change?
As I head into year two, here’s what I know for sure:
This work is not just about meals or haircuts or referrals. It’s about presence. About seeing people. About refusing to look away.
The future of Make-A-Day is bold. We’re expanding our mobile work. Scaling Move the Box. Deepening case management. Pushing policy. Building a broader base of support. And we’re doing it all with joy, strategy, and the same heart that’s powered us from the beginning.
To everyone who’s been a part of this journey, thank you. Truly.
We’re just getting started.
With gratitude and momentum,
Christy
Executive Director, Make-A-Day
Want to help us build what’s next?
Here’s how you can plug in:
Volunteer at a pop-up event, from serving meals to sorting supplies to just showing up with a smile.
Give, even $5 makes a real difference. Your support keeps our food truck rolling, our legal clinics staffed, and our team going strong.
Spread the word, share this story, follow us on social media, and invite others to learn what it really means to show up for our neighbors.
Partner with us, if you're part of an agency, foundation, or business that shares our vision, let’s talk. We believe in collaboration over competition.