By Okon Ekpenyong

The summer of 2025 is just around the corner, and Central Ohioans, especially young people who will be out of school, will be eager to get into something fun and engaging. Many will look to join various community-oriented summer programs or attend diverse cultural and ethnic events. For these activities or gatherings to see the light of day, those behind the planning process usually have to present their vision to the city to ensure it meets the city’s code and regulations. 

That’s why the recent news from the Council highlights a set of ordinances designed to support community-based summer programs and initiatives that benefit young people and city residents.

Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer is the driving force behind sponsoring ordinances for various summer programs for young people. This includes programs that promote academic achievement, career readiness, and overall well-being. Importantly, many of these programs serve low-income families and the areas most impacted by crime and violence.

Additional ordinance initiatives include a significant investment of $178,000 in the Tolemi Building platform to tackle issues related to vacant properties, foreclosures, and wholesaler registries. Furthermore, $4.57 million will be allocated in grant funding to support sixty nonprofit social service agencies as part of the Elevate! 2.0 program. These investments demonstrate the Council’s commitment to the city’s future and the well-being of its residents, instilling a sense of security and confidence in the community.

The Council also dedicates resources to these initiatives to support events such as the Jazz & Rib Fest, CBus Soul Fest, and numerous smaller neighborhood festivals and free cultural activities. By doing so, they aim to ensure that the agencies or organizations running these summer activities continue giving the people something positive to discuss, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.

The Council also proclaimed April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month, recognizing the Parkinson’s Foundation’s ongoing work to support those affected by the disease. The 12th Annual Parkinson’s Moving Day Columbus walk and fundraiser is on April 26 at Wolfe Park, and the Council is encouraging everyone to attend. These initiatives demonstrate the city council’s commitment to supporting the well-being and development of Columbus residents and inspire and motivate the community to participate in such important events.

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