HandsOn Central Ohio (formerly FIRSTLINK) traces its roots to the early 1970’s when the Volunteer Action Center (VAC) was formed by the Junior League of Columbus as a center to match volunteers to boards, nonprofits and other community service opportunities. They officially became a HandsOn Network affiliate in 2008. HandsOn Central Ohio has a mission to “strengthen and enhance the quality of life in their community by mobilizing volunteers and connecting people to critical community resources.”

As an integrated agency of the Volunteer Action Center of Central Ohio and Information & Referral Services, HandsOn Central Ohio does an excellent job of understanding and responding to community needs.  They are the first point of contact for volunteers as well as those in need of social services, enabling HandsOn Central Ohio to be a convener and to be invited to tables discussing critical problems in the community.

As a recent VIRE grantee, HandsOn Central Ohio is committed to improving its training and engagement of Volunteer Leaders.  Their VIRE program focuses on identifying, training, and engaging over 100 Volunteer Leaders.  The past year has brought both economic stress and opportunity to HandsOn Central Ohio. In August, 2008, they were awarded its largest training grant ever to participate in a statewide capacity-building initiative supported by the Governor’s Office on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. During this 10-month program, HandsOn Central Ohio developed curricula and implemented a regional training program in 22 Northwestern Ohio counties. As a result, they registered more than 1,000 individuals in training on board development, volunteer management, financial management, grant writing, outcomes measurement, fund development, human resources and starting a nonprofit.  Most of the participating agencies were small, grassroots nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups that received 28 hours of service, as well as one-on-one technical assistance.

HandsOn Central Ohio also actively plays a role in impacting poverty. As part of their commitment to alleviate poverty they have 2 AmeriCorps VISTAs placed with their organization — Andy Van Pay from Wisconsin and Tessa Motts who is a Central Ohio native. Andy works with the Community Engagement Team and Tessa is a member of the Disaster Preparedness Team. As part of our VIRE programming, HandsOn Central Ohio is leveraging its nationally recognized “Reality Columbus: Life Beyond the Freeway Tour” to educate and engage local youth in service projects.  Beyond The Freeway Tours educate students on the issues of local poverty, homelessness and hunger while demonstrating the value of advocating for change through community service and legislative advocacy on local, state and federal poverty initiatives.  To date, over 10,000 students, corporate volunteers, and community leaders have participated in “Reality Columbus: Life Beyond the Freeway Tours.”  Follow up discussions with the sites that are part of the tour have shown that 50% of those taking the tour get involved through volunteering and fundraising in these critical issue areas.

Read more about HandsOn Central Ohio's recent name and brand change!