Domestic violence deaths have increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic.

Newly released data from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network shows a more than 60% increase in domestic violence deaths over the last two years and a 20% increase in just one year. The past year also included the highest number of deaths in children.

Learn more about local efforts to interrupt the cycle of violence:

LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Center for Family Safety and Healing

The City of Columbus announced $8.8 million in American Rescue Plan funding for programs that provide immediate and long-term support for central Ohioans experiencing homelessness. Funds will support the local shelter system through improved pay for front-line workers, additional staff, onsite mental health resources, and improved facility conditions and capacity. Click here to read more.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees has approved a new fare structure that corrects digital inequity in transit prices while creating a simpler system. The goal of the new policy is to reduce barriers to transit access through fare affordability while creating a more seamless payment experience for customers.

Click here to read more.

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther recently announced $15 million in proposed funding to support construction of the new Sullivant Avenue police substation in the Hilltop and Real-Time Crime Center in Linden. Funding will be utilized to complete design services for both facilities in addition to land acquisition for the substation and site assessment for the crime center.

Click here to read more.

The Ohio Controlling Board approved a request from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to appropriate more than $161 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars in Fiscal Year 2022 to stabilize child care providers and the child care workforce.

This is welcome relief for Ohio's child care providers and professionals. However, the remaining ARP funding requires legislative approval. Click here to learn more.

September 15 - October 15 marked National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month.

During Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we celebrate the heritage, culture and contributions of Latinx Americans to the United States. September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days in September.

Monica was appointed to the Columbus Women's Commission in January of 2020. She is currently on the Gender Equity in the Workplace committee. Monica first became interested in this role when she worked for the Women’s Fund. During this time, the Women’s Fund worked closely with the Women’s Commission and Monica admired their passion for policy change. After moving to COTA, she decided she wanted to be a part of the Commission.

Her favorite part about the Women’s Commission is having a group of people from all different backgrounds present to make change and give a voice to the underrepresented voices in the community. Policy change is huge to the creation of community change and moving the needle towards equity in Columbus.

Monica has worked towards gender equity in many of her different roles but an opportunity that sticks out is her work at the Women’s Fund. Monica was able to work on their advocacy agenda and raise awareness about the Benefits Cliff to employers and representatives alike. An opportunity Monica is grateful for within her time at the Women’s Commission was her work with women in trades and union jobs. With this, she was able to look at the issues that women working in these fields face and how to keep them at work by addressing issues such as child care. Currently, Monica is working with her committee to build conversation around post-pandemic recovery and understanding the role we all have in supporting organizations as they bring women back to the workplace.

Monica fuels her passion for equity with a deep-seated belief that it is her duty to give back to those that do not have a voice. As someone who identifies as Latina, she is particularly passionate about issues facing Latinas, while recognizing her privilege as someone in a position of influence. In her free time, Monica enjoys running, keeping up with current events and watching Netflix.

Fifth Third Express Banking earns national Bank On certification; Bank to support initiative to boost awareness of Bank On accounts.

On Septermber 21, Fifth Third Bank, National Association, announced that its Express Banking account has received Bank On national certification for safe and affordable accounts. The certification was conferred by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to traditional banking and other financial empowerment services. With the City of Columbus and Columbus Women’s Commision’s shared commitment to economic empowerment, we applaud Fifth Third’s efforts.

Click here to learn more about Bank On.

Read the city’s Financial Empowerment Roadmap.

Creating Central Ohio Futures has partnered with the City of Columbus to offer the Building Back Better Together program, an eight-week job training and skills development program that seeks to strengthen our communities by providing program participants with a clear path to the middle class.

Program supports:

The program provides a weekly $150 stipend for participants’ meeting attendance and performance standards, a case manager and individualized assistance as well as up to $400 worth of tools and equipment after graduation. Participants may also receive up to $750 in financial assistance with child care, transportation and sealing of criminal records.

Ready to take the next step?

Apply for the first Building Back Better Together cohort.