YWCA Family Center on Harvey Court

the second Sunday of each month

October 2010 marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of the YWCA Family Center on Harvey Court.  The YWCA Family Center offers homeless families safe comfortable accommodations and child care for families in Franklin County who are experiencing an immediate housing crisis.  Professional staff offer an array of services including employment assistance, case management, housing placement, child advocacy, after school programming and daycare.

Overbrook has provided the evening meal on the second Sunday of every month since the Center opened.  A simple supper made up of child friendly foods including hot dogs, baked beans, applesauce, carrots, bananas, salads, Jell-O, potato chips, ice cream sundaes and dozens upon dozens of cookies and cupcakes makes up the Overbrook menu.

Meals for homeless families are hosted by the community every day, saving the Center over $180,000 annually.  In 2009 alone the Center provided emergency shelter to over 650 families including more than 1,300 children.  If you multiply that times five, you can see that our contribution adds so much to the lives of these homeless families.

I want to thank everyone who signs up to donate food month after month and all the Overbrook volunteers who give tirelessly of their time on Sunday nights.  Our efforts are greatly appreciated by the Center and the people they serve.  Many, many residents say thank you and I often hear “this was the best meal I have had since I got here.”  One mother wrote: