Blue Jackets, Columbia Gas chipping in to battle homelessness

Of all the problems in society, homelessness might be one of the toughest to combat because of all of the variables involved.
Luckily, Columbus has the right people in place to do so. The Community Shelter Board was founded in 1986 to provide a coordinated response to homelessness in Central Ohio, and the public-private partnership is a model for such programs that are sprouting across the nation.

And those doing this important work in Columbus have a new ally on their side in Patrik Laine. The Blue Jackets forward announced at the start of the season he would donate $1,000 to the Community Shelter Board for every point he scores on the season, a donation of $10,000 already this year that will keep rising as the season goes on.
When looking for a Central Ohio cause to support, Laine said this issue truly hits home.
"It just makes me sick," Laine said. "For us, we're in the situation where we don't need to think about it, but everybody should have a home. That's just the bare minimum. It's just not the case for some people, so I think it's an important topic that we need to address and help these guys and help everyone who is in need. I feel the donation is going to the perfect spot."
Laine said that Thursday when both he and fellow CBJ forward Sean Kuraly visited the Van Buren Family Shelter, touring the facility, signing autographs and spending time with families and staff at the shelter.
They were also part of a check presentation of $25,000 to the Community Shelter Board from the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation in partnership with Columbia Gas of Ohio, one of the team's community captains.
"It is extremely special," said Ellen Macke, director of government and public affairs for Columbia Gas of Ohio. "We've been a partner and supporter of the Community Shelter Board for many years now. They do so much good for our community and help so many people in need. At Columbia Gas, we want to be more than just a gas utility. We want to be a community partner and help wonderful organizations like the Community Shelter Board."
The Community Shelter Board's work is even more important as more and more people flood into Columbus, not just the fastest growing city in Ohio but one of the fastest in the nation. In many ways, the available inventory of apartments has not kept up with the demand, driving up prices and leaving some literally left in the cold this holiday season.
Community Shelter Board research shows that a person must make an average of $22 per hour while working 40 hours per week to be able to afford housing in Central Ohio, and working a minimum-wage job, one would have to work 88 hours a week to get by. At the moment, the system is over capacity, and there are 100 families available for every 32 units that hit the market.
In other words, the need for a streamlined response to homelessness is there, and no one is turned away at the Van Buren Center. The Community Shelter Board provides the tools for this facility and others throughout Columbus to get people back into homes and itself spends two-thirds of its budget on housing, including 100 units at the Van Buren Center and 2,200 units throughout Central Ohio. In all, more than 15,000 people were helped a year ago.
Previous grants from the CBJ Foundation to the Community Shelter Board have led to the building of a playground at the Van Buren Center in 2015 as well as computers that are located in both the facility's homework resource room for children as well as a workroom for adults to put together resumes, look for jobs and otherwise do what they can to improve their situations.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets team is so invested in the community and making sure it's a great place for everyone to live," said Melissa Garver, chief development officer for the Community Shelter Board. "They are also committed to fighting homelessness and making sure that families -- men, women and children -- have a stable home.
"It was incredible to have Patrik and Sean out, and I think Patrik said it best -- everyone should have a home. That is core to our mission and what we're working toward every single day here in Central Ohio."
Run by the YMCA of Central Columbus, the Van Buren Center offers immediate and low barrier access to anyone facing a housing crisis, especially those with families. Featuring meal service, rooms for those in need, playrooms and educational services for children, and case managers for everyone who comes through the doors, the Van Buren Center is one of the largest such family shelters in the nation serving up to 800 individuals every night.
"It makes me really proud to see what they're doing here, and it makes you want to be a part of it," Kuraly said. "They're doing a lot of great work, and there is a lot of need. Just to see a tiny little part today and to see what Patty is doing, it's inspiring to me and hopefully to others also."
For those at the Van Buren Center, the admiration was mutual with their visitors for the day.
"It means a lot to have the Blue Jackets come out and to see the shelter and show their support to help highlight the work that we're doing here every day," said Carolyn Slebodnik, administrative program director for the Van Buren Center. "It means so much, and we are grateful to the Blue Jackets Foundation. They make the difference, and you can see it here from our playground to our homework help rooms to our computer rooms."
To be able to see those impacts in person made for a memorable Thursday.
"It means a lot to be able to actually come into one of our grant partners' spaces and to see the impact of an investment and how it makes a difference for families that are facing homelessness," said Andee Cochren, executive director of the CBJ Foundation. "We're thrilled to be able to get our players out into the community. It really speaks back to our focus and what we're about when it comes to lifting up the community."