CelebrateOne’s $1.1M Investment Backs Community Solutions Tackling Real Barriers Affecting Columbus Families

CelebrateOne, the City of Columbus’ infant mortality initiative, has secured $1.1 million through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to invest in community-based solutions for pregnant women and families with infants — tackling the real conditions that shape maternal and infant health.

Rather than building new systems, this funding is directed to organizations already embedded in the community — trusted places families turn to for support long before and after they engage with formal healthcare. It prioritizes innovative approaches that address the everyday barriers families face that are often outside of traditional care. Some have partnered with CelebrateOne for years, while others are new as grantees, and this investment formally resources and expands their role.

“We see every day that families aren’t just trying to access care — they’re trying to figure out how to get food on the table, how to get to appointments, how to keep everything together. This investment is about putting real resources behind the services and organizations families already trust,” said Danielle Tong, Executive Director of CelebrateOne.

Three community-based organizations will expand programming through this investment:

Community Development for All People (CD4AP) will expand its Thrive to 5 program by adding targeted support for families during pregnancy through a child’s first year, building on its existing work supporting young children. The program will introduce prenatal and postpartum nutrition education, wellness activities, and increased access to fresh food. It will also create dedicated Free Store hours for maternal and infant supplies and expand support for securing and safely storing critical documents like birth certificates and identification, helping families access services and maintain stability.

Little Bottoms Free Store, in partnership with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, will expand a coordinated model that connects families to both clinical care and essential resources. With a Care Coordinator placed on site, families accessing supplies at the Free Store will be screened for prenatal care access and connected to services such as MOMI PODS and Moms2B. The program will also provide transportation support, health screenings, and direct access to critical items like cribs, car seats, and diapers, creating a more seamless system of support across medical and community settings.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) will expand its SPARK program to support pregnant women and new mothers through workforce development and family stabilization. Participants will receive career coaching, job placement support, financial counseling, and trauma-informed case management to help secure stable employment, reduce financial stress, and improve long-term outcomes for families.

This investment strengthens the support systems families rely on every day, expanding the role of community organizations that are already showing up and filling the gaps where traditional care falls short.