Central Ohio Youth for Christ (COYFC) is a non-profit organization that provides faith-based and faith-neutral programs and activities to achieve holistic improvements in the lives of youths and families in Central Ohio. COYFC focuses on low-income and at-risk 11-19 year old teens facing a variety of challenges including poverty, domestic and sex abuse, emotional trauma, and juvenile detention.
Finance Fund provided $7,000,000 of federal NMTC allocation and $2,564,103 of Ohio NMTC allocation to redevelop an approximately 38,000 sq. ft. vacant elementary school and 14,000 sq. ft. annex building into COYFC’s new City Life Center in the west Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, a highly economically distressed area with a poverty rate of 29.9%, a median family income equal to 34.1% of the applicable area median family income, and an employment rate of 13.3%.
The City Life Center enables COYFC to provide its services, including an after-school recreation program, to at-risk youth in a neighborhood marked by the highest number of teen misdemeanors and third highest number of teen felony arrests in Franklin County.
Among the neighborhood’s 15-18 year olds, only 48% are in school or have a job; 9% are directly impacted by teen pregnancy; and 40% abuse drugs or alcohol. It is estimated that only 20% of students within the neighborhood graduate high school. COYFC used part of the City Life Center to create spaces where teens can learn skills that lead to careers.
After-school and weekend programs include classes and one-on-one time with caring adults in organized activities including the recording arts, automotive mechanics, textiles and ceramics. COYFC has seen tremendous changes in teens who feel loved and accepted for who they are, in a safe learning environment.