International Friendships or IFI as we call it is an incredible Christian nonprofit organization…read morethat helps international students with many practical needs, as well as provides a way for them to explore Christianity and the Bible. IFI partners with many volunteers in the community who desire to show love and hospitality to international students.

LifeCare Alliance is a nationally recognized nonprofit human services organization serving nearly…read more30,000 Ohioans each year. Our mission is to provide Nutrition, Health, and Support services that help restore the stability and self-reliance of people facing challenges stemming from medical conditions, disabilities, or aging in place. They provide pet food and vet service for the seniors pets who receive Meals on wheels

So very lucky to have had their services when I was ill. Very professional I must say, and the…read moreaides are top notch.

My first experience with Columbus Gives Back was working with the group as a nonprofit partner. I…read morewas in need of volunteers for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a 5K walk. The leadership was great at communicating throughout the recruitment process. At the event, all staff members who worked with the volunteers loved doing so and the volunteers had great feed back too. I've also had the pleasure of volunteering myself. I love that the group offers a variety of organizations to become involved with. The flexibility has provided me a volunteer experience that works with my schedule. The other volunteers have always been wonderful and I know I'll continue to volunteer and recommend to friends. Thanks to Columbus Gives Back!

I love the Columbus Gives Back crew. I have volunteered with them multiple times and always have…read morefun. Wonderful concept...one time volunteer projects, meet people and then hang out with the group after (drinks, lunch, etc.) My favorite things about this group: 1. Flexibility - you can sign up to help out whenever you want. Once a week or once a year. I've added my name to events the night before if there were still open spots. It's great for my schedule. 2. The People - great way to make new friends and network. Very caring and enjoyable group of people to be around. Juliana, the group founder, and her team of project leaders help newbies feel welcome. 3. Causes - wide range of volunteer projects. You can choose to help with projects that matter to you. This is always important to me when choosing volunteer groups. "It's service with a social twist." I recommend this group to all of my friends and I definitely recommend it to all my Yelp-ers. Get on the newsletter and get involved :)

I have been involved with this organization for 37 years, they have always done outstanding work…read moreraising the finest service dogs available. While I've been involved in this organization has grown exponentially but the quality of The workers and the dogs has done nothing but improved over the years. I can only recommend this company with all my heart as I have witnessed the incredible workers and the incredible animals that they have paired with people with all sorts of disabilities.

There are 2 distinct views I hold of United Way. They are the before I volunteered with them - and…read moreafter. aka the ignorant one and the knowledgeable one. Before - I thought they were useless and likely highly overstaffed and paid. But then, I heard a recipient of one of their programs and services speak to how her life had been changed. She spoke of her prior life consumed with addition, homelessness and unemployability. Through the services of the United Way - and specifically a program called E3 - she had turned her life around. She had earned a degree, got clean, and would find out later that day - she was hired by our company. I saw so moved that I joined that United Way affinity group that runs the E3 program that very day. Around the same time, I heard that VITA was looking for volunteers - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - a program I had volunteered with while in Law School. I agreed to give it a try and catch up with the tax changes that had evolved in the 20+ years since I last did VITA. Soonafter getting trained, I learned VITA was another United Way program. Through my ongoing membership and leadership roles, as well as my volunteerism, I've come to learn about the mission of United Way to eliminate poverty. This sparked an interest in me to learn more - so I've intentionally listened to, read, and attended all kinds of programs providing information on poverty - causes, effects, proliferation within our systems, efforts to reduce and eliminate, etc. And in the center of it all is the United Way and its funded partners. At one time, United Way was just a way to donate to charitable causes through workplace payroll withholding. Now it's the connector of so many organizations which serve our community and strive to reduce and eliminate poverty. If you want to do more than just give - they have all kinds of volunteer opportunities. I highly recommend you check them out and learn all about their programs and successes!

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work with United Way of Central Ohio for the past 2 years, so I…read morefind myself there about twice a month. Since my first visit to the facility, what I find really helpful is the easy on and off expressway access and the off the street parking. Those two aspects make it so easy to get to the building and be on my way. When you get in the building, you'll immediately notice that it's very colorful and there are plenty of diverse faces that decorate the halls and walls. I appreciate that as well because it demonstrates to me how important diversity is to the organization. Since it's a secure building in downtown Columbus, there's no ability to wonder in and roam around, but the staff are always very helpful and ensure you find the right person to assist you in what you're searching for. Since I'm there fairly often, I would love it if the added an unsecure or public wireless network so that I can use my laptop online during meeting -- which would be really helpful in some instances. Other than that, I encourage you to check out United Way of Central Ohio and see some of the awesome ways you can get involved in your community.

This is my first year volunteering with this group. For months I had been searching for an adaptive…read moretraining group similar to the Hi 5 foundation out in Lake Tahoe California. I volunteered on the sailing team and a few times kayaking. This is the organizations first time sailing and it did not fall short. I signed up, showed up without any previous experience/knowledge and WOW was that a thrill ride. First day out we took a couple participants. She used to sail but a stroke took her away, this was her first day as well back on the water. Yew! I love so much that this organization makes adventuring accessible no matter the disability. They really pull out all the stops to make a persons day. I have an Uncle that went through aggressive cancer treatments a few years ago that have now had been affecting his body quickly and negatively. My Uncle used to windsurf every weekend at all the lakes to now sitting in a wheelchair barely able to stand and eat without being taken care of. I just kept thinking that there has to be something out that there he can get involved with. ASC is that place. If this is something you need or have been looking for as a participant or as a volunteer come and join. We have kayaking, cycling, mountain biking, sailing and next year paddle-boarding. :)

I've had the good fortune to be able to volunteer here a few times and have had the opportunity to…read moresee this wonderful organization in action. The day I volunteered we were assisting youth of different ability is to go kayaking and it was quite the goose bumpy experience as you could see absolute joy in their eyes. In addition to kayaking, they offer a wide variety of other adaptive equipment to support those of different abilities to experience what we often take for granted.

Had to take this opportunity to give a shout - out to this wonderful community philanthropic…read moreorganization! Not only do they do an incredible job in bringing our community together for the greater good in events such as The Big Give but they also have offered community days to allow people to attend other local businesses for free which opens up a whole new world for those that would otherwise not be possible.

Extraordinary week at Mezzacello Urban Farm for our grandson. Turned into such a special program…read moreand he gained so much confidence and self esteem from it. So much so, he will be continuing as one of their Mentor In Training MenTerns Program. At the end of the program he said " he was very very proud of what he had accomplished ." If there was a 10, I would have given this program a 10. A real inspiration.

Finding a summer camp that your kiddos love is a tough feat! Not only is Mezzacello an amazing part…read moreof the Near East Side but a welcoming and fun place for my kiddos to spend time learning. Jim is a true gem, he challenges the kiddos to be active participants in their learning. The most impressive part is that he treats each kiddo with the same respect he would treat an adult. Too often kiddos don't get this same level of respect and when you are able to find a human who truly appreciates and is interested in interacting with kiddos you have to celebrate them! Thank you for being a great teacher and learner Jim!