How does your

organization help the community?

In Columbus, the average young person becomes independent from family at age 24. Most practice adulthood with the safety net of family leading up to this point. However, in the next year, more than 3,000 young people in Franklin County, ages 14-24, will fall into homelessness, without the immediate resources needed to thrive. They have no place to call home and have too often been orphaned, ostracized, and abused by the adults in their lives who were meant to care for them. As a result, these young people distrust older adults—avoiding service agencies and striving to remain independent and invisible. Youth living on the streets are at higher risk for PTSD, human trafficking, and even death. In the midst of this despair, Star House provides safe respite and a chance to thrive.

Program Description:

Star House operates Central Ohio’s only drop-in center for youth, ages 14-24, who are experiencing homelessness. Youth are provided access to food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, showers, and a safe place to be. Beyond basic needs, our clinical team provides therapy and case management, and partner agencies provide on-site and community-based access to stabilizing resources, such as housing, transportation, employment, education, addiction services, legal aid, government benefits, ID cards, and health care through our partners Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Primary One. In 2020, in partnership with Finance Fund, Star House opened Carol Stewart Village—a neighborhood for emerging adults with on-site access to education and transitional employment resources; mental and physical health care; and intentional social connections through mentoring and opportunities to engage in the Franklinton community.