Children's Education Center

Renewing the Commitment to Homeless Children

The Homeless Families Foundation (HFF) has renovated the Dowd Center facility, which houses an education and enrichment program serving school-age children from several family shelters, transitional housing sites, and at-risk children referred from Columbus Public Schools. At the Dedication of the facility in September 2005, it was named The Dowd Center in honor of the founding Dowd Family.

The Renovation has creatively transformed the program's current facility into additional space utilization for academic and program activities e.g. a library, a recreational area, an art studio. In addition, safety and handicap accessibility has been ensured by building upgrades.

The project has been financed through grants, individual and corporate gifts, donations of materials, supplies, volunteer labor and professional expertise. The community collaboration which has transformed this facility is playing an important role in also transforming the quality of life and opportunities for many at-risk children.  

Several elements of this project remain, e.g. a new elevator, an outside playground, completion of the kitchen.  To participate in this community effort, call Casey Clark, Project Chair, at the HFF Office at 614-461-9247.

Following is a list of Donors to the Renovation Project:

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS
Renovation Project Committee
Casey Clark, Committee Chair
Ann Alexander
Sheri Auld
Sandy Clary, APR
Joan Etter
Marilyn Fiske
Carolyn Forbes
Donna Glanzman
Lettie Glass
Gale Hacker
Dave Hammond
Lynda Huey
Mary Kay Jackson
Tammy Johnson
Eileen Kirsch
Charles Lucius
Marsha McDonald
Steve McVoy
Suzi McVoy
Betty Melragon
Ann Foster Miller
John Miller
Lou Ann Moritz
Kevin Reardon
Ralph Rosenfield
Kathy Rutherford
Gary Rutledge
Carol Stewart
Walter Wagner, PE
Margaret Wildi
Rudy Youell
Curtis Zeigler, PE

MAJOR FUNDING FROM FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS

Bovis Lend Lease Foundation
The Columbus Foundation 
Highlights for Children  
The Limited Brands Foundation
Nationwide Foundation
The Reinberger Foundation  
The Siemer Family Foundation
Walter and Marian English Foundation
James A. and Kathleen C. Rutherford Foundation

KABOOM

Build A Bear
  
MAJOR FUNDING FROM INDIVIDUALS

Donors of Construction Services and Materials

ABLE Roofing
Architectural Resource Group Inc.
Bovis Lend Lease
Columbus Coal & Lime

Custom Correct Drywall
Donley Concrete Cutting Co.
Eastway Supplies, Inc
Electrical Design and Service
Gandee & associates, inc.
Hanlin-Rainaldi Construction
Key Blue Print
LL/ebs Co., Inc.
Miles-McClellan Construction and Development
Ohio Concrete Sawing and Drilling, Inc.
REW Materials
Rotary Club of Columbus
Speer Mechanical
Julie Steigerward
Upper Arlington Rotary
Varment Guard Environmental Services
Curt Zeigler
The Wasserstrom Company
Wellnitz Concrete Products
White Castle Management Co.

Donors of professional services
Anthony Mollica & Associates, Inc.
Clary Communications
DGH Communications
Phototype

Volunteer Groups
The Buckeye Parrothead Club
Church of the Resurrection Women's Club
Clintonville Women's Club
Downtown Kiwanis
Dublin-Worthington Rotary
Linworth Road Community Church
Rotary Club of Columbus
Soroptimist of Columbus and Franklin County
Upper Arlington Rotary

Individual Donors

Jean Oddi

Russell and Elisa Blackwell

Joseph and Evelyn Casselli

Rod and Casey Clark

Robert and Carol Wood

Lou Ann Moritz

Jim and Judy Balyeat

Steve and Suzi McVoy