in focus
By Sanaya Attari Photos courtesy of Westerville Habitat Partnership
One Family at a Time Finding creative ways to overcome challenges
W
h e n We s t e r v i l l e ’s m a n y organizations are faced with a challenge, they’re quick to come up with a solution. And during the pandemic, nonprofit Westerville Habitat Partnership (WHP) has found creative ways to accomplish its goals. The organization works with churches, individuals and other institutions to provide decent and affordable housing to eliminate substandard housing – one family at a time. WHP organizes multiple events throughout the year to support and spread awareness of their mission. Ever y year, the Tapestr y Team, including co-chairs Kay Hedges and John Cameron, discusses the future of their Tapestry of a Town event. However, this year is a bit different. In a typical year, Tapestry of a Town brings together volunteers such as hosts, docents, guest musicians and more to design a walking tour of historic buildings and homes in Uptown Westerville.
This year, the tour is self-guided and includes a map and pictures of the sites to visit, giving tourists a chance to enjoy the experience however they like. “Last year we noticed lots of people out walking around Uptown, but since we couldn’t run our event as normal, we created a listing of our sites 2017 Tapestry of a Town from the past eight years and organized it in a way to allow The 2020 Progressive Christmas Concert people to do a historic tour on their own was another event that changed during the with photos and short descriptions of the pandemic. Last year, the concert was video various sites,” says Hedges. “It’s something recorded in each of WHP’s five churches withto do while ambling around on a nice out large choirs. The event featured soloists, summer day.” instrumentalists and small ensembles with The tour map is available online at www. quieter and more contemplative music. westervillehabitat.com and includes more “The thing that sticks out to me as a mathan 40 locations around town, including jor and unanticipated accomplishment is Uptown favorites such as Barrel & Boar and Asterisk Supper Club, historic sites such as the Anti-Saloon League Museum at the Westerville Public Library and Otterbein University hotspots such as Memorial Stadium and the Otterbein Cemetery mausoleum.
Volunteers working together at Otterbein's The Point in August 2019. 10 September/October 2021
Giving Back WHP is partnered with five local churches and Columbus Academy. It works as a support group to provide funds and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Delaware & Union Counties as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
2017 Tapestry of a Town www.westervillemagazine.com
