Providing Safe Respite and Unconditional Care
The numbers are sobering. More than 3,000 young people in Franklin County will experience homelessness this year, and hundreds more are at risk of becoming homeless. Many of these youth become unhoused due to disconnection from family—they may be involved in the foster care system, kicked out of their house after coming out as LGBTQIA+ or revealing a pregnancy, or running away from abuse. Without safe and stable housing, young people face many challenges, including difficulty accessing food, education, employment, healthcare, and transportation. One central Ohio organization dedicated to helping youth avoid homelessness and find stability is Star House. Originally started in 2006 as a research study at The Ohio State University, today Star House operates central Ohio’s only drop-in center for youth ages 14-24 who are experiencing homelessness. Located in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood near East 5th Avenue and Cleveland Avenue, the center provides access to safety 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
As Ann Bischoff, President & CEO of Star House, explained, it’s the immediacy of services that sets Star House apart. While many shelters are over capacity or have long waitlists, Star House provides instant access to basic needs like food, clothing, showers, and laundry facilities. “Star House has no waitlist. When young people come to our drop-in center, they can access anything they need,” said Bischoff.
When guests first arrive, they are greeted by a staff member who provides information on the services available to them, as well as a tour of the facility. The goal, said Drop-In Center Manager Marika Brown, is to let young people know that they’re in a safe environment and surrounded by caring, supportive staff.
“Our core value is to care unconditionally,” said Brown. “From the moment our guests come through the door, we want them to know that they are welcome, seen, and heard.”
Once at the drop-in center, guests are also connected to services designed to help them, including therapy, job-seeking assistance, legal aid, health screenings, mentorship, and more. Case workers also partner with young people to create and achieve individualized goals, and to overcome obstacles along the way.
One example that Jill Gorz, Clinical Services Manager at Star House, shared is helping youth obtain vital documents like Social Security cards, birth certificates, and identification cards. These documents, Gorz explained, are essential to accessing many social services. Without identification, young people also struggle to obtain employment, sign a lease, or enroll in school.
“Our core value is to care unconditionally. From the moment our guests come through the door, we want them to know that they are welcome, seen, and heard.”
— MARIKA BROWN, DROP-IN CENTER MANAGER AT STAR HOUSE
Another unique program operated by Star House is Carol Stewart Village, a neighborhood of 62 studio apartments for young adults with on-site programs and resources, including a food pantry, mental health and addiction services, and other wraparound supports. Residents of Carol Stewart Village can live in the neighborhood up to age 25, while they gain valuable skills to transition into independent, stable housing. Carol Stewart Village is located on the West Broad Street corridor, between Franklinton and the Hilltop.
“The whole focus of Carol Stewart Village is to provide a space for young people to be able to gain the life skills they need and establish a sense of safety,” said Naima Ilmi, Housing & Engagement Manager at Star House.
Many of Star House’s services are made possible through community partnerships. Whether it’s the 24/7 food pantry opened with support from Mid-Ohio Food Collective and Kroger or the on-site health clinic staffed with professionals from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Columbus Public Health, Star House’s innovative partnerships help ensure youth have the support they need to thrive. “We are constantly looking for solutions to meet the needs of the young people we’re serving. We can go further, faster with partnerships,” said Bischoff.
Over the years, Star House has received numerous investments from The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors, including grants to support capacity building and operation of the drop-in center and Carol Stewart Village. In 2019, Star House was also a recipient organization of The Columbus Foundation’s Critical Need Alert, Our Kids, which raised more than $2.4 million shared among six nonprofits addressing two key community needs: ensuring quality early childhood education and ending youth homelessness.
As youth homelessness continues to rise, Star House has a goal of opening two more drop-in centers. Toward that end, Star House is in contract on the former St. Ladislas campus on the South Side. With capital support from The Columbus Foundation and other key partners, Bischoff is confident that Star House is well situated to move forward with this vision and serve more young people in the community.
“The word is out about Star House and demand for services is high—we have something really special here,” shared Bischoff. “We’re so grateful to The Columbus Foundation for being a supporter all these years, which helps boost our confidence to take this important next step.”