Nationwide Foundation supports new Star House drop-in center for homeless youth with $750,000 grant

Nationwide Foundation supports new Star House drop-in center for homeless youth with $750,000 grant

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Photo Credit: Ian Alexander

The Nationwide Foundation is helping expand a critical lifeline for young people experiencing homelessness across central Ohio with a $750,000 grant to support Star House's new South Side drop-in center.

Star House operates the region's only drop-in center specifically for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. As demand for services continues to grow across Ohio, the nonprofit recently broke ground on a second drop-in location on Columbus' South Side to expand capacity and provide 24/7 access to safety and support.

"Thanks to our committed community partners, we are on track to open a second drop-in center on the South Side to meet the unique needs of young people in this region and to offset capacity issues at our current center," said Ann Bischoff, CEO of Star House. "We've nearly doubled the number of young people we've served since 2021 - the need has never been greater."

Expected to open in early 2027, the new South Side campus will be located in the former St. Ladislas Catholic Church. Public and private support will fund renovations and allow Star House to serve hundreds more young people annually when the new 26,000-square-foot center opens.

The space will offer food, clothing, hygiene supplies, showers, therapy, case management, health and legal services, workforce development and connections to housing. The church sanctuary will be transformed into a welcoming drop-in space, while the adjacent school building will serve as a community services hub and administrative center.

"Nationwide Foundation is honored to support Star House South Side because every young person deserves a safe place to go and people who believe in their potential," said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. "This expansion ensures more youth can access care, stability and opportunity closer to where they live."

Founded in 2006, Star House partners with teens and young adults as they exit homelessness and work toward long-term stability. The nonprofit also operates a 62-unit village of affordable housing for young adults transitioning out of homelessness. Its trauma-informed, low-barrier model addresses immediate needs while providing therapy, case management and pathways to housing, employment and education.

Learn more about how Nationwide Foundation supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives.