United for Change: Community Impact Center Creates a Hub for Hope
When Winta Hayelom enrolled in Per Scholas Columbus’ 15-week program, she never imagined that its impact would extend far beyond technology expertise.
After witnessing firsthand the pandemic’s impact on her family’s local restaurant, Flavor 91 Bistro, Hayelom was motivated to deepen her technology skillset so that she could help optimize their restaurant’s operations and streamline processes.
Per Scholas is a national nonprofit organization committed to providing equitable access to education. At no cost, the organization recruits, trains, certifies and helps anyone who wants to launch a career in technology.
“I looked up different resources that were available to women who look like me and that could provide a safe space for me to be able to further my dreams and aspirations in technology,” Hayelom said.
Leveraging access to new and better facilities
Per Scholas is one of 17 nonprofit organizations that operate within downtown Columbus’ Community Impact Center (CIC). The nine-story, 150,000 square foot building was formerly Nationwide office space that is now being used for local nonprofits to collaborate more efficiently while addressing critical community needs.
While obtaining her technology certification, Hayelom quickly learned how the interconnectedness of organizations within the building helped support her fellow Per Scholas learners outside the classroom. In addition to access to classes, her classmates facing challenges related to food insecurity, housing or childcare were provided with the resources they needed.
“I think that the shared resources that have been leveraged inside the Community Impact Center have created a hub,” Hayelom said. “There is no social issue that hasn’t been addressed.”
Deeper connections, deeper support unlocks potential
Jenn Fowler Howard, Per Scholas Columbus’ Senior Managing Director, shared that the close partnership across the nonprofits has allowed for deeper connections and deeper support as the Per Scholas learners launch their careers in technology.
Offering support in multiple areas of life, the space in the CIC also allows the Per Scholas team to serve more people than ever before. Previously, they could only train 100 learners at a time. Now, they are training more than 220 learners and hope to grow in years to come.
“When I joined Per Scholas three years ago, I knew that it was an organization committed to changing the face of tech and unlocking potential – I didn’t know we would have the ability to unlock it at this degree,” Fowler Howard said.
Despite only opening the CIC in December 2022, United Way of Central Ohio CEO Lisa Courtice shared that many of these human services-focused organizations have been working together in the community for decades.
“To find ourselves in the same building with a shared purpose of working more closely together has been remarkable,” said Courtice. “There are so many positive outcomes already.”
More to come
With more organizations slated to move into the building in the future, Courtice is excited about the continued sharing of resources and efficiencies which will allow all the organizations to maximize community impact.
“My classmates and I are the Community Impact Center come to life and where its wildest dreams come true,” said Hayelom. “We have the support of all these nonprofits behind us, championing us and powering us through.”