Official 501(c)(3) Non-Profit • Tax-Deductible Contributions • EIN 83-2464095
Programs & Initiatives

Direct Support for Columbus Families

Three flagship programs designed with neighborhood input, delivered by trained volunteers, and measured by real outcomes — not vanity metrics.

Family stabilization program
Program 01

Family Stabilization & Crisis Relief

When a Columbus family faces sudden crisis — a job loss, an eviction notice, a medical emergency — our intake team responds within 48 hours. We provide emergency financial grants (up to $1,500), utility payment assistance, and personal financial counseling sessions with trained volunteers.

Schedule: Intake calls answered Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Walk-in hours at Sampson Avenue center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Eligibility: Franklin County residents at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Proof of hardship required (eviction notice, termination letter, medical bill, etc.).

How to apply: Call our intake line or complete the support request form on our Contact page. A case manager will schedule a confidential intake interview within two business days.

Career skills workshop
Program 02

Community Career & Skills Workshops

Our Saturday workshop series at the Sampson Avenue community center covers digital literacy, resume writing, interview preparation, and direct connections to local employers. Last quarter, 47 participants secured job interviews through our employer partner network.

Schedule: Every Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Special evening sessions on first Wednesday of each month, 6:00 – 8:00 PM for working adults.

Eligibility: Open to all Franklin County residents seeking employment or career transition. No income requirement. Childcare provided on-site during Saturday sessions.

Courses offered: Microsoft Office basics, Google Workspace certification prep, forklift safety certification (partner program), and small business startup workshops.

Youth and senior care
Program 03

Youth & Senior Care Outreach

Isolated seniors and at-risk youth often fall through the gaps of larger social service systems. Our outreach teams deliver weekly meal packages, conduct wellness check-in calls, and organize monthly social gatherings — book clubs, gardening groups, and intergenerational mentoring pairs.

Schedule: Meal deliveries every Wednesday and Saturday. Senior social gatherings: second Saturday of each month, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Youth mentoring: weekday afternoons, 3:30 – 5:30 PM.

Eligibility: Seniors age 65+ living alone in Franklin County. Youth ages 12–18 referred by schools, churches, or family members.

Volunteer quote: "When I drop off a meal on Sampson Avenue, I know someone is eating well tonight," says volunteer driver Maria T., who has completed 200+ deliveries since joining in 2023.

Getting Started

How to Get Support

1
Contact Us

Call, email, or visit our Sampson Avenue center during walk-in hours.

2
Intake Interview

A case manager conducts a confidential needs assessment within 48 hours.

3
Program Match

We connect you with the right program and assign a dedicated support coordinator.

4
Ongoing Support

Regular check-ins ensure you have what you need — not just on day one.

Request Support Now
Growth & Impact

Program Milestones 2020–2026

2020

Founding & Emergency Relief Launch

Weekend meal distributions begin on Columbus's east side.

2022

Program Expansion Across State

Career workshops and senior outreach extend to three Ohio counties.

2024

Community Resource Center Dedication

Sampson Avenue center opens with classrooms and intake offices.

2026

10,000+ Families Served

Mobile outreach units approved for rural Ohio expansion.

Volunteer With Us

Share Your Skills

IBADO runs on volunteer power. Whether you can spare two hours a month or two days a week, we have a role that fits your schedule and skills.

Community Voices

What Families Say

After my husband lost his warehouse job, I didn't know where to turn. IBADO helped us pay the electric bill and connected me with a Saturday computer class. I got a data entry position six weeks later.

Denise M.
Denise M.
Career Workshop Graduate, East Columbus

I'm 78 and live alone on Refugee Road. Every Wednesday, a volunteer brings groceries and sits with me for twenty minutes. That visit means more than the food — it means someone remembers I exist.

James O.
James O.
Senior Outreach Participant

My son was falling behind in math. The youth mentoring program paired him with a retired teacher who meets him every Tuesday. His report card went from D's to B's in one semester.

Amina K.
Amina K.
Parent, South Side Columbus