VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECTS
In October 2008, we launched GenNext with a mission to motivate the next generation of central Ohio professionals.
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e knew we could strengthen our community by creating an environment where communityminded individuals participate in service projects and educational opportunities and connect with their peers. And our vision was clear: INSPIRE the next generation of leaders to become involved in strengthening a community in which EVERYONE has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential. Chances are the reason you’re here is because you’re looking for a way to stretch. To grow. To make a difference in your community. And that’s what
GenNext is all about. GenNext provides you and other young professionals with the opportunity to develop leadership skills through participation in community volunteer projects, educational activities and networking events. Events that will
help both the development of the community and your own development. Simply, we are young professionals focused on improving our community through volunteering. We are GenNext and we are over 500 strong.
enNext and State Farm Insurance worked with Community Development for All People, a non-profit community development organization dedicated to creating a community that welcomes and cares for all people. We helped with a drive for their Free Store, which provides clothing and household items to families in need.
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GENNEXT & STATE FARM AT THE FREE STORE June 25, 2011
ot even a little rain or hail can stop the amazing GenNext volunteers from making a difference in Linden on Earth Day, as they gardened for the New Harvest Urban Arts Center and St. Stephen’s Community House.
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2011 EARTH DAY EVENT
April 16, 2011
enNext volunteers helped the Habitat for Humanity ReStore with unloading donations from customers' cars into the store, organizing merchandise and some general upkeep and light cleaning work within the store.
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE PROJECT January 29, 2011
his event benefitted Columbus Early Learning Centers, which provide quality early learning and care for children age 6 weeks to kindergarten. Their mission is to help children develop the physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills needed for success in kindergarten and first grade. Collectively, the centers serve more than 300 children.
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2010 TOY DRIVE & GIFT WRAPPING EVENT
December 15, 2010
olunteers helped to rehab several houses on the near south side as part of the "HNHF" initiative, which seeks to remove barriers to the well-being of families by focusing on affordable housing, health and wellness, education, safe neighborhoods and workforce and economic development. The partners behind this initiative’s success are Nationwide Children’s Hospital,Community Development For All People, the City of Columbus and United Way of Central Ohio.
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HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS HEALTHY FAMILIES September 19, 2010
enNext volunteers painted and worked the grounds at Franklinton Gardens, which in partnership with Gladden Community House, provides fresh produce at discount prices for Franklinton residents. Gladden Community House, a settlement house serving Franklinton and surrounding neighborhoods, is a United Way affiliated non-profit providing education and support for individuals, families and groups.
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FRANKLINTON GARDENS July 27, 2010
enNext joined Rebuilding Together to helped lowincome, senior Columbus residents become more energy efficient. Volunteer activities included replacing light bulbs with energy saving alternatives, caulking windows and doors and providing outdoor landscaping maintenance.
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REBUILDING TOGETHER WITH GENNEXT June 26, 2010
enNext volunteers photographed the neighborhood, alleys and buildings to assist with Bronzeville’s revitalization, a neighborhood of 16,000 residents encompassing Jefferson to Taylor and Broad to 670. Other volunteers went to Neighborhood House, where a shipment of supplies to Haiti was being prepared and loaded.
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KING-LINCOLN / BRONZEVILLE PROJECT January 30, 2010
enNext and Tocqueville Society members gathered in the YWCA ballroom for an evening of gift wrapping. Attendees and supporters donated items to support the YWCA Women’s Residency Program and gift wrapped them to be donated for the holidays. This event was proudly sponsored by Ernst & Young.
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GENNEXT & TOQUEVILLE SOCIETY GIFT WRAPPING December 9, 2009
enNext joined a communitywide food drive to help ensure that no one in central Ohio has to face hunger. Benefitting the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, the drive was held in six local neighborhoods to help stock the shelves of hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters in our community.
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1ST ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
October 3, 2009
olunteers came together at a Touch of Gourmet in Hilliard to prepare meals for the families of cancer patients. Touch of Gourmet partnered with a local cancer support group to provide these meals to families who are coping with a loved one’s recent surgery.
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TOUCH OF GOURMET September 9, 2009/May 27, 2010
pproximately 45 GenNext members were joined by community leaders, to begin demolition on a vacant house in Olde Towne East that will become the Center for Arts and Community. The Center will house the Transit Arts program and provide residents of the Near East Side a safe place to congregate. Members scraped and cleaned walls, ripped out flooring and cleaned a house that had been empty for more than eight years.
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CENTRAL COMMUNITY HOUSE PROJECT August 16, 2009
ighty-five GenNext members created an urban garden utilizing more than 100 plastic “kiddie� pools at the Faith on 8th location. These urban gardens generate approximately 40,000 pounds of fresh produce for the Faith Mission Community Kitchen. GenNext members also participated in a neighborhood cleanup in downtown Columbus.
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FAITH MISSION PROJECT April 18, 2009
early 50 volunteers gathered at the Godman Guild for this United Way priority neighborhood. Projects included painting at the Huckleberry House, renovating a residential apartment at Vision and Vocational Services, planting seedlings with the University Area Enrichment program and recycling computers with FreeGeek.
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WEINLAND PARK January 24, 2009
ore than 60 GenNext members helped to prepare gifts at The Falls at Hayden Run. Educational toys and books were donated, gift-wrapped and delivered to the children of the Rosemont Center. Members enjoyed networking with one another while learning about the Rosemont Center’s programs and their partnership with United Way of Central Ohio.
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2008 HOLIDAY SERVICE PROJECT
December 18, 2008
enNext volunteers removed graffiti along with the Franklinton Area Commission, planted bulbs at COSI, cleaned up abandoned lots with the Franklinton Development Association, cleaned the Westside Childcare Center and rehabilitated a baseball field with Gladden Community House and a future art gallery for the Franklinton Arts District.
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FRANKLINTON PROJECT October 25, 2008
We CREATE
CHANGE. We IMPROVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY. We MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We LIVE UNITED.
www.gennextcolumbus.org