AT HOME BY HIGH
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Mission Statement
At Home by High was created by neighbors, for neighbors to provide support, connectedness, and enable independence.
About This Cause
At Home by High (AHBH) is a grassroots, member-based organization in Columbus, OH serving adults ages 50+. AHBH was formed in 2017 with the mission to provide support, connectedness, and enable independence for older adults, with the goal of aging with dignity and confidence in their community. AHBH uses a holistic, community-based approach to address the service needs and connectedness of older adults including transportation, caregiver support, emergency preparedness, pet assistance, outdoor maintenance, and social engagement opportunities. Our program’s overarching goals are to fulfill service needs in order to reduce stressors, promote self-sufficiency, enable aging-in-place, and provide opportunities for participation in social events and activities to bring happiness and positive connections in the lives of older adults within our community. Transportation continues to be the most critical and most requested service for older adults that AHBH serves. From medical appointments to grocery trips to social events, transportation assistance empowers older adults to meet their health and wellness needs daily. Other services provided include but are not limited to lawn care, check-in calls, technology assistance, and minor home repairs. Through intentional, curated social events and activities such as weekly coffee meet-ups and cultural activities such as trips to museums, AHBH connects neighbors, provides new experiences, and combats social isolation. We even have members who have begun to lead their own social events in their building with other members, and we are able to support that by covering the cost for snacks and providing games. In addition to our core services and events, AHBH created two community gardens in 2021 at the request of residents located at two subsidized apartment buildings during the pandemic. When we were initially told that a garden on HUD property would be “unsightly,” we tried another approach with a vision board and were ultimately successful. Each growing season, residents collectively decide new items to grow and expand their new outdoor spaces. AHBH assists residents with maintenance, plantings, and supplies. The gardens have become a great respite for residents and offer a beautiful and vibrant environment for the surrounding community to enjoy. Advocacy for and with our members fall into a vast array of categories such as housing, medical, benefits, and general conflict resolution. AHBH has provided very vocal support to our members when dealing with issues in their everyday lives. Many of the individuals we support feel as if they have lost their voice over the years and are tired of not feeling heard. Examples include: Coordinating and moderating monthly tenant association meetings with residents, property management, and property owners. Assisting members with medical appointments by helping them to communicate with their providers. Assisting residents with mediation when conflicts arise with neighbors, and ensuring that both parties are heard. Providing members with the opportunity to speak with local elected officials about issues they face on a daily basis. Advocating with vendors if members are dealing with late fees or other financial issues. AHBH currently serves 79 members within our service area. These individuals consist of 53% African-American, 92% low-income, 77% living alone, 4% immigrant or refugee, and 1% identifying as LGBTQAI+. Approximately 34% are living with a physical and/or cognitive disability, and over 30% are living with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. AHBH is also part of a greater network of local agencies, known as the Greater Columbus Network of Villages (GCNV). We all operate under the Village to Village model, a membership based, national movement that supports aging in place via service provision and social engagement. The GCNV meets bi-monthly to support each other and work together to better serve the localized communities each agency exists within. This network can be better supported by AHBH and vice versa with the additional funding that this grant supplies.