The Community Friendship Program, or “Friends Program” for short, is a monthly dinner gathering that brings together volunteers from the community with people transitioning out of homelessness. The Friends' Program provides an opportunity for newly-housed persons who have recently experienced homelessness to share, connect, and build relationships with interested persons in the community. The main goal of the program is to create an atmosphere of belonging where formerly homeless adults can develop a healthy and beneficial social support system with volunteers from around the Columbus area.
The program meets monthly, allowing participants to see each other regularly and establish genuine friendships, fostering emotional well-being and promoting a smooth transition into independent living. Participants sit down together for a meal followed by an activity to encourage social interaction. Events in the past have included cooking classes, holiday caroling, board game night, walking Franklinton National Night Out, financial seminars, and an outing to COSI.
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Mount Carmel West's Healthy Living Center.
Any students, faculty or staff interested in volunteering with Friends, please connect with Abra Campbell, Mount Carmel Urban Health, Community Friendship Program Coordinator at abra.campbell@mchs.com or 614.832.3736.
