Supporting The Somali Cultural Fest

Councilmembers Nancy DayAchauer, Emmanuel Remy, and Christopher L. Wyche are sponsoring Ordinance 14372024 to support the Somali Cultural Fest. Somali Cultural Festival is aimed at celebrating the rich heritage, traditions, and diversity of the Somali community. The festival will showcase various aspects of Somali culture and will provide a platform for Somalis and nonSomalis alike to come together, learn, and appreciate the beauty of Somali culture. Somali Cultural Fest will take place on June 29 at 3:00 PM at Innis Park.
 
Providing More Summer Opportunities for Youth

Councilmember Nick Bankston is sponsoring Ordinance 14422024 to issue the second round of FaithBased and Community Organization grants. The approximately $250,000 will support 16 religious and community organizations are holding summer and fall programs ranging from youth mentorship and college prep to community outreach and violence prevention.
 
Enhancing Access To Highquality PreK Education

Councilmember Melissa Green is sponsoring Ordinance 09752024 to provide high quality education for early childhood learning. The Early Start Columbus (ESC) program is working to collaborate with Columbus City Schools and communitybased providers to provide funding that will allow more children with the opportunity to improve their literacy, language, and math skills. The $974,250 in funding will help increase the number of children served in the program. This ordinance is one of Councilmember Green's 2024 Operating Budget earmarks.
 
Investing in Violence Reduction & Prevention and Supporting Services for Domestic Violence Survivors

Councilmember Emmanuel Remy is sponsoring multiple ordinances through the Office of Violence Prevention. Ordinance 14232024 will authorize a contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) for gun violence reduction strategies, violence reduction landscape analysis, and technical assistance. Ordinance 14322024 will support LSS Choices and their work with survivors of domestic violence. Ordinance 14332024 will invest in evidencebased practices to address overarching violence prevention strategies.
 
Recognizing a Successful Earth Day
 
Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche is sponsoring Ordinance 13012024 to reimburse Green Columbus for expenses incurred for their annual Earth Day Celebration and support of over 40 community gardens.

Green Columbus is a sustainabilityfocused nonprofit striving to activate volunteer engagement, grow equitable tree canopy coverage, and foster resilient communities. The Green Columbus Earth Day celebrations brings together hundreds of volunteers to plant trees and clean up litter around the City throughout the month of April. This year’s activities included the planting of 74,000 seedlings, their alltime record. A portion of this funding will also be used to support the Linden Tree Nursery, which grows 3000 trees per year. Programs like these are essential to meeting the goals in the City’s Climate Action Plan and Urban Forestry Master Plan.