Events
April 30: Prosperity Briefing
On April 30, The Ohio State University’s research team unveiled the findings from Families Flourish Group 1 that began the program in September 2022, and Group 2 who began in April 2023. OSU’s Dr. Jason Reece and his team shared their project evaluation.
Before Dr. Reece begins, the audience heard from our community ambassadors:
Sue Zazon, Regional President, Huntington Bank
Scott Kleinman: EVP, Huntington Bank
Michael B. Coleman, former Mayor of Columbus
Councilmember Shayla Favor, Columbus
Howard Levitin, PhD
See the full playlist on our YouTube page. Click here for the summary and full report.
Power of Opportunity 2023
Families Flourish’s Power of Opportunity fundraiser was held Thursday, December 7. More than 250 people gathered at The Vue to hear Colleen Marshall interview three of our current participant moms. The first Steve Heiser Awards were given to First Lady Fran DeWine; Nancy & Don Kelley and Michael Kelley; and Don Casto and Bill Riat of CASTO Communities. During a keynote address, Cameron Mitchell relayed the details of his life that overlap some of the sacrifice and instability our Families Flourish families have experienced.
Watch all of the event videos here.
Thank you to our Power of Opportunity Sponsors
‘Excluded’ Author Points To Families Flourish As Solution Toward Inclusion
On Nov. 29-30, 2023, Families Flourish welcomed author and researcher Richard Kahlenberg to Columbus for a series of four different events. All were centered on the findings of his book called “Excluded,” but each setting provided a different lens on the conversation.
Kahlenberg was featured on a Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC) panel with Councilmember Shayla Favor and Families Flourish graduate Tehani Morales, who is featured in the book. Families Flourish CEO Amy Klaben moderated the panel, which was the first sell-out crowd for CMC in its new home.
Later that evening, an intimate group of donors gathered at board member Kate Giller’s home to talk more with Kahlenberg in a conversation led by Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler. Excerpts of that conversation on our YouTube page.
On Thursday morning, Kahlenberg met over breakfast with faith leaders from across Central Ohio to talk about ways to support families holistically. At right, Pastor Victor Davis, Families Flourish participant Jameka Humphries, CEO Amy Klaben, Kahlenberg, and Families Flourish board member James McDougal pose for a photo after the breakfast.
Thursday evening, a crowd gathered in the Canzani Center theater at CCAD to hear a panel that included local leaders Doug Ulman and Kumi Walker. That panel was moderated by 10TV’s Tracy Townsend with a welcome by Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks-Sullivan.
Help Us Meet your Neighbors, Friends, Colleagues or Fellow Congregants!
Families Flourish is looking for willing hosts and sponsors to introduce us to more Central Ohio neighbors. Here’s how you can help:
Host a House Party
Gather 5-50 of your friends in your living room or at your favorite gathering place. You bring the crowd and we’ll bring the information – easy as that. We can also provide a location!
Host us at your place of work
Do you belong to an employee resource group, professional development circle or does your company host regular community meetings? We would love 10 minutes to tell your colleagues about our work.
Introduce us to your faith community
Families Flourish has enjoyed the support of several Central Ohio faith groups. If your congregation has a mission committee, a regular program with speaker needs, or another way to connect, please consider an invitation to Families Flourish.
Invite us to your book club
Recently a MTP donor’s book club was reading “Evicted” and invited FF CEO & President and reknowned housing expert Amy Klaben to speak. Do you have a similar opportunity?
