Monday Felt A Lot Like Home
On June 16th, Make-A-Day came alive with something deeper than a community event. It felt like a reunion!
From the moment the grills were lit and the music started playing, neighbors gathered for food, conversation, and connection. We welcomed over 140 guests, each arriving with their own reasons, some for a hot meal, others for support navigating housing, health, or legal needs. Many came just to be in a space where they felt welcome.
The day was filled with small, powerful moments. Guests stretched into the day with yoga thanks to Heartfelt Studios. Laughter rang out across the lawn games provided by Land Grant. Barbers and stylists offered free haircuts and shaves, creating a buzz of excitement and fresh starts. Over lunch, folks connected with a wide network of partners, offering everything from healthcare and behavioral health to housing access, legal support, and digital connectivity.
MAD’s housing team offered one-on-one problem solving for guests working toward stability. Stand Up Wireless helped bridge gaps in resources. Health teams from Molina, PrimaryOne, LSS, Columbus Public Health, and others met guests where they were, no appointments, no barriers. The Boundless trailer, Star House, Franklin County Office on Aging, and CMHA rounded out a lineup of partners that made sure no need was overlooked.
Together, we provided:
🍽️ 260 chef-prepared meals! Giving our guests a moment to breathe while being served top notch food.
💇 45 haircuts. Many guests shared how unique this service is, and how much they appreciate what our stylists do.
🦺 100 Fentanyl test strips and 40 gun lock boxes allowing our guests to keep themselves and their community safe
🛒Two shops stocked with free clothes, snacks, cleaning and hygiene supplies nearly empty by the end of the day.
But behind every number was a conversation, a small act of care, a moment of trust.
One guest shared, “I feel like I can exhale here.” That feeling…the ease, the belonging…that’s what we hope guests carry with them long after they leave.
This event was built on the belief that community care doesn’t wait for someone to hit rock bottom. It shows up, over and over again. We see it in the faces of the volunteers who remember a guest’s name. In the partners who rearrange their schedules to be present. In the guests who come back week after week, not just for services, but for the sense of being part of something.
We’re grateful to every partner, volunteer, and guest who made this pop-up possible. It was a day of connection, support, and joy - and a reminder that when we show up for one another, we create something strong, lasting, and real.
Want to help us keep showing up?
Support our next event by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word. Visit makeaday.fun/give or follow @makeadayhq to be part of what’s next.