In October, Columbus city and community leaders outlined the plan to fully allocate the city’s $50 million bond fund dedicated to affordable housing projects.

Click here to learn more.

The Biden-Harris administration announced the first-ever national strategy to advance gender equity and equality in the U.S. and around the world. The White House Gender Policy Council will manage the comprehensive effort that requires actions from various agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of State (DOS).

Click here to read the administration’s report on advancing gender equity.

The city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College, I Know I Can, and Columbus City Schools developed the Columbus Promise based on a national model used in other cities and states. Students who graduate from Columbus City Schools during phase one of the program (classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024), complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and an application to Columbus State can attend Columbus State full-time or part-time for up to six semesters to complete a two-year degree or shorter certificate program.

Click here to learn more.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 24, and Sheet Metal Contractors of Central Ohio are committed to increasing the number of women in the skilled trades as the need for a diversified workforce grows.

The Columbus Women’s Commission applauds Sheet Metal Workers International for implementing a new maternity benefit for tradeswomen.  Employees that are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth, may be eligible to receive a weekly SASMI Maternity Benefit for up to 12 weeks per pregnancy.

Eboni Davis is currently a drywall finishing apprentice with Local 1275— part of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6 (DC 6). She is a 32-year-old single mother of three, who graduated from the Columbus Building Futures program. While participating in Building Futures, Davis was looking for a career and found it with DC 6.

For years, she fought to provide for her children, working several jobs simultaneously, and struggling with her mental health. “I was depressed,” she said. “I did not see my life going anywhere and was tired of not having enough. Every day I had to figure out where food was coming from, how my phone was going to stay on and how the bills would be paid at the end of the month.”

These thoughts and feelings persisted until she found her place in our union.

Like many others, Davis now is gainfully employed with medical benefits for not only herself, but her children as well.

She is currently enrolled in the District Council 6 apprenticeship program, and in her words, “is in a great place mentally.” 

Her steps to becoming a journeyman are in her reach.

“I feel good knowing I have a career that will pay me enough to actually live and not just pay bills,” she said. “My kids can be proud of their mother.”

DC 6 is proud to work with community partners like the Building Futures program to help change lives, while allowing us to remain a strong union.

The pandemic has only exacerbated work-life imbalance: One in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of COVID-19. So what’s the solution? There isn’t only one, but paid parental leave is a solid start.

Explore these insights to uncover the many benefits of paid parental leave—for moms, dads, and newborns—as well as the role of employers in supporting other caregivers and vulnerable populations. And take a deeper dive on the issues that matter, including:

• Why parental leave can increase employee engagement and retention
• Challenges facing working mothers, and actions that companies can take in  response

Michael Outrich & Glennon Sweeney

Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity

Click here to view the recording.

Columbus Public Health is distributing the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. 

COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH VACCINE CLINIC

Walk-in COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available at Columbus Public Health (240 Parsons Ave.):

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• $100 vax cash will be offered to Franklin County residents getting their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at this clinic while supplies last
• We will be offering the first dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine (12+), the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (18+) and booster doses for those eligible
• A parent or guardian must be present for people under 18

FIRE STATION DRIVE-THRU VACCINE CLINICS

Beginning October 5, 2021, drive-thru COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available at two fire stations.

Locations and hours:

Tuesday - Columbus Fire Station 10 (1096 W. Broad St.) - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday - Columbus Fire Station 18 (1630 Cleveland Ave.) - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Vax cash is not offered at these clinics
• We will be offering the first dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine (12+), the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (18+) and booster doses for those eligible
• A parent or guardian must be present for people under 18

COMMUNITY REC CENTER VACCINE CLINICS

Walk-in COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available at three community rec centers. 

Locations and hours:

Monday - Linden Rec Center (1350 Briarwood Ave.) - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Wednesday - Barack Rec Center (580 E Woodrow Ave.) - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday - Westgate Rec Center (455 S Westgate Ave.) - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• $100 vax cash will be offered to Franklin County residents getting their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at these clinics while supplies last
• We will be offering the first dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine (12+), the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (18+) and booster doses for those eligible
• A parent or guardian must be present for people under 18

Find other local vaccine providers here.

BOOSTER DOSES

Columbus Public Health is following CDC, FDA and Ohio Department of Health guidelines and is now offering COVID-19 Pfizer booster shots to people who are eligible at Columbus Public Health and our community COVID-19 vaccine clinics. No appointment needed. 

Groups that are eligible for a booster shot (at least 6 months after their Pfizer second dose) include:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings
• People aged 18–64 years with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting

Eligible residents are encouraged to bring their COVID-19 vaccine card to their booster appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

THIRD DOSE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED 

Individuals who qualify for a third dose of vaccine should first contact their health care provider to get vaccinated. Columbus Public Health offers same day, walk-in vaccines from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Columbus Public Health (240 Parsons Ave.) No appointment needed. Learn more.