OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Open Shelter is an Advocacy Center & Day Services Shelter for homeless and marginally-housed people in Central Ohio. We provide crucial needs directly to those in crisis. Coordinated, supportive services are also provided, directly or by referral.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!
The Open Shelter needs your help for Christmas. We need items for all youth age groups, especially for older teens as we host 40 homeless & marginally housed families.
Examples of items we are looking for are: electric trimmers and razors, Axe gift sets, shower gel for females, cologne, cross body bags, gloves, hats, legos, scarves, footballs, basketballs, sports logo hats, Barbies, craft kits, games, and learning toys for infants & toddlers.
We also need volunteers from December 15th – 20th. If you have a group or teen that needs project or service hours, please reach out! Call Harry Yeprem at 614-222-2885 or email him at tosi@theopenshelter.org. Thank You!
LATEST NEWS
The Open Shelter & YOU assisted 1,900 homeless and marginally-housed persons in 2024 as of October 1st; 686 of whom were “living on the streets”.
43,217 sack lunches and 89,475 ‘to-go’ meals were provided. 33 men and women participated in our “Payeeship” program, which helps homeless and recently homeless persons who need third-party money management.
993 instances of outdoor item assistance were provided in addition to 3,517 instances of clothing assistance.
We also provided 1,452 hygiene kits & 344 diapers. 674 bus passes were passed out.
We also helped guests acquire State IDs, Drivers Licenses, and Birth Certificates.
There is also access to phones, copiers, faxes, and computers in addition to providing a mailing address.
This is only possible because of YOUR support.
YOU keep The Open Shelter OPEN!
We look forward to your continuing support this year.
Thank You.
WE LOVE VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers can help in a number of different ways.
Preparing and serving food.
We can always use food groups to serve a hot meal in the mornings and also need volunteers. Taking in and sorting donations. Organizing and sorting our Material Assistance Room. Cleaning and sprucing up our agency. Clerical and office duties.
We are willing to work with YOU and YOUR GROUP in regards to donation & pledge drives. Need more info? Want to help? Please give us a call at 614-222-2885 or email us at openshelter@att.net.
The Open Shelter, Inc.
1037 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43206
614-222-2885
