As you probably know, my wife Sonya spends her days ensuring youth in Columbus have a safe place to sleep at night. Most of these young people find themselves without a home because their families can't or won't support them. At the Sleep Out Kickoff, we heard from four of the 113 youth currently living in Huck House apartments.
When asked what she remembers about her move-in day, Taziah said, "I was just so excited. I had been sleeping in my car. To know I would not have to sleep in my car anymore, it just felt so good." Now she is working at a job and raising her young daughter, and getting all the life skills support she needs to be indpendent when she moves on to her own apartment. Also, she is taking full advantage of Huck House therapy services - she said not enough people pay attention to their mental health, but to be the best mom she can be, she knows she needs to address her mental health needs.
Huck House fills an important role for the youth they serve, and for Columbus as a community. I am sleeping out on Friday, April 21 to show our community my solidarity with youth experiencing homelessness.
1 in 7 children will run away before the age of 18.
1 in 10 18-24 year olds endures some form of homelessness each year.
1 in 20 young adults are couch surfing for shelter.
Over 50% of young people in shelter and on the streets report that their parents told them to leave or knew they were leaving and didn't care.
Huckleberry House shelters, supports, and guides youth navigating challenges. Their vision is thriving youth, no matter their journey.
In 2022, Huck House provided 35,933 total nights of shelter in the teen crisis shelter and 113 transitional living apartments for 18-24 year olds. They also provided 10,874 hours of counseling and mental health services for youth and families. Their outreach team responded to 600 requests for support and linkages to resources.
I am sleeping out on Friday, April 21 in front of COSI to show up in solidarity with the youth who experience homelessness on a daily basis. Please consider supporting my fundraiser for Huckleberry House so they can keep opening doors for central Ohio youth.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Robin Gotlib | 04/29/2023 | $103.39 | Thank you for all your incredible efforts. | Robin Gotlib | 04/29/2023 | $51.85 | Thank you for all you do. | Matthew and Abbey Wollschleger | 04/26/2023 | $208.62 | Melissa and Savannah Kruse | 04/24/2023 | $515.72 | Melissa Bender | 04/23/2023 | $20.93 | Thankful for all young people impacted by Huckleberry House! | Laura and Catherine Zallanta | 04/23/2023 | $250.00 | Evan and Melissa Garver | 04/22/2023 | $51.85 | Becky Keglewitsch | 04/22/2023 | $103.39 | Ryan Sunseri | 04/22/2023 | $103.39 | Steven and Daphne Suh | 04/22/2023 | $258.01 | Chris and Jill Doody | 04/22/2023 | $208.62 | Thanks for all you do! | Stephanie Wilson | 04/22/2023 | $104.47 | Thank you for all that you do to support youth experiencing homelessness! | Steven and Daphne Suh | 04/22/2023 | $260.70 | Michelle Stacho | 04/22/2023 | $103.39 | Paul Thesing | 04/22/2023 | $104.47 | Very proud of the work Huckleberry House is doing to raise awareness and support for this cause. | Dana Schmit | 04/21/2023 | $26.08 | Jan Ashton | 04/21/2023 | $515.72 | ♥️ | Steve Schamel | 04/21/2023 | $104.47 | We appreciate your commitment David!! | Joan Menzer | 04/21/2023 | $103.39 | Gary and Julie Baker | 04/21/2023 | $51.85 | Karri Beck | 04/21/2023 | $51.85 | Aaron and Michelle Moskowitz Brown | 04/21/2023 | $37.81 | Lori Macbeth | 04/21/2023 | $26.08 | What a great way to identify with and support the young, homeless population in Columbus. | Kara Newbury | 04/19/2023 | $51.85 | Barbara Wyrick | 04/17/2023 | $206.47 | Christopher Thesing | 04/17/2023 | $51.85 | Sonya Thesing | 04/16/2023 | $40.00 | Jay and Angela Parsons | 04/12/2023 | $250.00 | Trevor and Elizabeth Haydel | 04/08/2023 | $103.39 | Sonya Thesing | 04/06/2023 | $.00 | Sonya Thesing | 04/06/2023 | $.00 | Heather Lauderback | 04/06/2023 | $103.39 | Steven and Daphne Suh | 04/04/2023 | $80.00 | Cathleen Utgard | 04/03/2023 | $103.39 | Hope 4 2morrow | 03/31/2023 | $.00 | Michael Anthony Flynn III and Diane Hoenig | 03/31/2023 | $206.47 | Megan Anthony | 03/23/2023 | $40.00 | Melissa Kirtley | 03/11/2023 | $51.85 | Madeleine Knill | 03/10/2023 | $51.85 |
| Total | $4,706.56 | ||