On Saturday 16 February, I and several other IA Scholars went to Columbus’s Star House for a morning of volunteering.  While we there, we sorted through clothing donations in their back warehouse, in order for staff members to be able to more easily find items, like clothing or toiletries, that guests have requested.

Star House was founded in 2006 by Ohio State University Department of Human Sciences faculty member Dr. Natasha Slesnick. She had moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Columbus, and was surprised to learn that there were no programs for homeless youth in the city, and so set about founding Star House in order to fill this gap. Because of this, Star House was technically a part of Ohio State for a long time, however, in order to better pursue programs and funding that will better serve the community of youth experiencing homelessness in Columbus, they recently became their own independent, separate entity. Today Star House is no longer run by Dr. Slesnick, but by Ms. Ann Bischoff.

Additionally, as we learned when we got there, Star House is not actually a shelter, even though many mistake it to be (I did!). It’s a 24/7 drop-in center, which differs from a shelter in that guests are not permitted to spend the night. As a drop-in center, youth from the ages of 14-24 can access resources they traditionally should/would be able to access at home at Star House. This includes a fully functioning and stocked kitchen, homework help, and other resources. Mainly, though, Star House seeks to reconnect or connect transitional youth to the resources of their community. It’s a safe place where youth experiencing homelessness can begin to access stabilizing resources, such as housing, clinical therapy, and employment opportunities.  

One of the things I appreciated most about our trip was the way that their volunteer coordinator took time to tell us about the history and mission, as well as the practical side of day-to-day programs, that make Star House what it is. I think that for any service opportunity, no matter what you’re doing or how significant or insignificant it may seem, there’s a huge chance to engage with the organization or group with whom you’re volunteering in order to gain unique perspective on their role in the community. I was grateful that Star House’s volunteer coordinator took time out of her busy schedule to share with us the bigger picture of what goes on beyond the four walls of the warehouse where we sorted donations, and the four hours of our weekend that we spent there.  

I was specifically encouraged by the fact that it was an Ohio State University faculty member who founded this organization. In my opinion, it’s easy for this university to become a bubble, isolated from the broader community around us (especially for students living on campus). I am always deeply encouraged, challenged, and inspired by those who intentionally step outside of this community in order to connect Ohio State’s vast resources to the life-ways of the Columbus around us.