Embracing Diversity

One of Central Ohio’s greatest strengths is the diversity of the people.  There are many groups engaging various populations.  The following is a brief listing, and is not meant to be comprehensive.  Many of these organizations involve the immigrant community. There is great opportunity for cultural exchange.

Partners in Embracing Diversity

• American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio (ACLU)
  The mission of the ACLU of Ohio is to aid in maintaining and extending constitutional and other fundamental rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities, and to take all legitimate action in furtherance of that object without political partisanship.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
  BBBS of Central Ohio is a leader within the BBBS organization with their Hispanic Mentoring Program.  The national mentoring program was piloted in Columbus, and the Columbus program is one of the more successful within the BBBS organization. 
• City of Columbus New American Initiative
  This initiative was created by City of Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman. This initiative gives equal opportunity to all refugees and immigrants and allows them to become responsible, productive residents of Columbus.”
• Columbus Council on World Affairs 
  The Columbus Council on World Affairs is Central Ohio’s leading educational resource for international affairs. The Council offers many programs related to community, youth and education.
• Columbus Area Islamic Relations (CAIR)
  CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
• Columbus Community Relations Commission
  The Community Relations Commission is directed to promote mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious, nationality, cultural, and ethnic groups in Columbus and suggest ways to prevent discriminatory practices against such behavior. The Commission works with community organizations to develop programs and educational campaigns devoted to the elimination of group prejudices, racial or neighborhood tensions, and conducts research on the status and treatment of racial, religious and ethnic groups in Columbus.
• Columbus Urban League
  In existence for 90 years, the Columbus Urban League offers services and programs focused on education, housing, networking and career development.
• Community Refugees and Immigration Services (CRIS)
  CRIS is an independent non-profit agency serving refugees, asylees and immigrants in central Ohio.  Among local community-based organizations, CRIS is the largest agency providing services to immigrants in Central Ohio – and is the agency providing the most extensive services to immigrant populations in our area. CRIS has served customers from 119 countries of origin.
• NAACP
  The nation's oldest civil rights organization has been in existence for 99 years. There is a Columbus office at 233 S High St # 207, Columbus, phone (614) 221-5187
• Ohio Civil Rights Commission
  As a quasi-judicial, administrative agency of the state, the general powers and duties of the Commission are to receive, investigate, render formal determinations, and conciliate charges of unlawful discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and institutions of higher education. The Commission is also mandated to prepare a comprehensive educational program for the students of the public schools…and for other residents of this state, designed to eliminate prejudice, its harmful effects and its incompatibility with American principles of equality and fair play.
• Ohio State University Multicultural Center
  The Multicultural Center at The Ohio State University is dedicated to empowering students through the creation of opportunities for engagement and leadership in an environment that celebrates the rich diversity of our campus and the communities we serve. The four principles of the Multicultural Center that guide our work are building community, valuing social justice, contributing to the academic experience, and facilitating individual transformation.
• Asian-focused organizations:
• Asha-Ray of Hope 
  Founded in 2002, Asha-Ray of Hope serves the South Asian community with domestic violence, education, and advocacy programs.
• Asian American Community Services
  Founded in 1976,   the Asian American Community Services serves the Asian American community with English classes, youth programming, interpretation and translation, health services, cultural activities, and advocacy programs.
• Hispanic and Latino-focused organizations:
• L.E.O.N. Latino Empowerment Outreach Network
  LEON is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, made up of a collaboration of individuals, organizations and agencies dedicated to building a healthy Latino community in Central Ohio. Their mission is to collaborate as a network of individuals and organizations to empower and enrich the Latino community in the areas of health, education, advocacy and communication. Their membership base includes businesses, non-profits, hospitals and education institutions. LEON has committees focused on Education, Health, Communication, and Voter Education and Registration.
• Ohio Hispanic Coalition
  The Ohio Hispanic Coalition (OHCO) was founded in 1990 as an advocacy agency, today it has grown into a multi-service agency serving the growning Latino/Hispanic community in Ohio. Statewide in scope, their services are provided primarily to residents in the Columbus area. Services include job training and placement, an information hotline, small business support, civic engagements, interpretive services, health and wellness initiatives, after school youth programming, victim advocacy services, domestic violence prevention and public safety classes.
• Centro Esperanza Latina. No website. Gianella Martinez at gmdcel@yahoo.com  (614) 358-3584
  Centro Esperanza Latina provides a supportive bilingual and caring environment that assists individuals and families to improve their quality of life and access to resources. CEL's comprehensive family and community services provide key programs to help meet the needs of Latinos in Franklin County. Programs include Computer Learning Lab, Healthy Latinos Program, Career Connecting Program for Latino Adults, ESL Classes, and Money Smart (Financial Literacy Classes).
• La Clinica Latina. No website. (614) 293-9906.
  The mission of La Clinica Latina is to provide health care to the underserved Latino and Hispanic populations in central Ohio. The Latino Health Network, a community-based organization, provides scheduling for patients. Free medical care is provided at the Rardin Family Practice Center, 2231 North High Street. La Clinica Latina started in May 2001. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (614) 293-9906.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender-focused organizations:
• Equality Ohio
  Serve as an advocate and champion for fair treatment and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens through outreach efforts to organizations, businesses and institutions in Ohio's urban, suburban, and rural areas. They collaborate with local, regional, statewide, and national organizations and government agencies.
• Human Rights Ohio
  This is the Ohio chapter of the Human Rights Campaign which is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
• Religion and spirituality-focused organizations:
• Buddhism Central Ohio
  Buddhism Central Ohio is a resource for those interested in the practice of Buddhism in Central Ohio. The website includes an event calendar, information on Buddhism, and a list of resources.
• Catholic Conference of OhioThe Conference represents the Catholic Church's position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations. The Conference also provides facilitation, coordination and joint programming for diocesan groups involved in various Church ministries.
• Interfaith Association of Central Ohio
  The mission of the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO) is to build a multi-faith community which fosters harmony, appreciation and respect among different faiths. The Interfaith Association is governed by an Interfaith Council, which includes up to three representatives from eight faith traditions: Bahб'н Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, and Sikh Faith.
• Leo Yassenof Jewish Community Center
  The JCC is a human service organization offering a varied program that is largely Jewish in nature. It is committed to enhancing the quality of family life and promoting the physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness of the individual. It provides health-related activities and cultural and educational programs that reflect the Jewish heritage. Although primarily a membership JCC, the JCC also delivers services to the community at large, including populations at risk. Through its wide array of programs, the JCC pursues its mission of strengthening the individual, family and community.
• Metropolitan Area Church CouncilThe Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council is an organization of Christian churches and groups with a mission to encourage one another in mission, build relationships among Christians, create a forum for Christian witness in the community, and work with others in common mission. Their program committees and task groups include Living Faith Awards, Communications, Clergy Hospital Identification Badges, Racial Unity Services, and Finance.
• Ohio Council of ChurchesThe Ohio Council of Churches (OCC) is a partnership of 27 Christian faith bodies working together.  Its seventeen denominations encompass some 6,000 congregations and more than 3,000,000 members. They conduct an annual Ohio Ministries Convocation, sponsor dialogues and educational events to enable the Christian community to better understand theological issues, environment concerns, legislative issues, and other issues emerging in order to act upon them.
• Shambhala Meditation Group of Columbus OhioThe Shambhala Meditation Group offers public meditation, free meditation instruction, a core curriculum of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings, as well as training in advanced contemplative practices. Diverse programs include various times to practice meditation, regular classes in Buddhism through the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies, a monthly Nyinthun (all day meditation period), and an ongoing series of meditation weekends known as Shambhala training.
• Senior-focused organizations:
• AARP of Ohio
  This member based organization is an untapped resource for engaging the mature population.
• Ohio Department of Aging
  This agency provides centralized access to diverse programs and individualized services for older adults, dependent adults, and their families so they can preserve their independence.  A few services the Office on Aging offers include: home delivered meals, medical transportation, adult day care, health screenings, legal aid services, senior fitness centers, refugee support services, housing assistance, health fairs, wheelchair ramps, home repair services, and nursing home placements. 
• Central Ohio Area Agency on AgingServes Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union
  Counties. They also have a speaker’s bureau.
• Area Agency on Aging, Inc. District 5
  This agency serves Morrow, Marion and Knox Counties.
• Area Agency on Aging, Inc. District 7
  This agency serves Ross County.
• Local County Offices on Aging
  Many counties, municipalities and other communities have their own offices on aging to support and enhance the efforts of the state and regional offices. The Golden Buckeye website is a portal to locally funded county offices.
• Somali-focused organizations:
• Somali American Chamber of Commerce
  The Chamber of Commerce assists the Columbus Somali Community with integration into the central Ohio business environment and culture.
• Somali Women and Children’s Alliance
  Founded in 2001, Somali Women and Children’s Alliance provides services to Somali women and children in Franklin County. Services include interpretation/translation, life skills, youth programs, health initiatives, job training and placement, English courses, sewing classes, diverse support services and referrals, and advocacy.
• Somali Bantu Youth and Family Organization of Ohio
  Founded in 2008, the mission of BY&FO mission is to build  stronger and more diverse communities by facilitating social emotional adjustment and cultural transition. Their services are directed toward training and educating refugees and immigrants to ensure that they can develop various skills and gain the opportunities to become self – reliant. 
• Somali Senior and Family Service. No website. Abdi Warsame is the contact. (614) 447-1214
  Founded in 2002 to serve the Somali population of Columbus, their services include interpretation/translation, cultural integration services, senior meal program, introductory English courses, sewing classes, and basic computer skills.
• Somali Community Association of Ohio 
  Founded in 1996, the SCAO has been a leading voice for Somalis in central Ohio. It is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to refugees and new immigrants in Columbus, Ohio. The Somali Community Association of Ohio offers family counseling, tenant advocacy, legal assistance, translation and interpretation, ESL classes, elder programs, youth programs, and job assistance programs.