outreach

Partnership for Community Well-Being

In August of 2021 UDO, the Ohio State University and Southeast Healthcare formed a partnership to address the growing needs of the University District's most vulnerable residents. This is a direct result from the OSU Taskforce on Community Safety and Well-Being.

our approach

Our initiative meets people where they are through street outreach with a licensed social worker through Southeast Healthcare.

UDO Outreach engages with clients in the University District who need assistance with mental health, substance use, housing, or any other basic needs.

snapshot of a typical day

street outreach

Going to hot spots in the UD to check-in with residents for specific needs.

provide recovery supports

bus passes, sacked lunches, water, etc

link to treatment

When someone is ready to go straight to treatment we connect them with immediate care.

meet james, lsw

James Lewis is a dedicated social worker with over a decade of experience serving clients in our community. With a passion for social justice and community outreach, James has devoted his career to serving marginalized individuals and fostering equity for underserved populations.

Through his service, he has demonstrated commitment and motivation to serve those in need.

James’s empathetic and outcome driven approach have earned him recognition as a compassionate and effective agent for change.

James earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University, where he honed his skills in advocacy and social justice. Having resided in the University District for more than 12 years, James has developed a good understanding of the community’s needs and challenges. James is honored to serve as the University District outreach clinician, where he will assist local initiatives to implement effective solutions to address the homelessness problem. By leveraging knowledge, experience, and compassion, he is dedicated to supporting and empowering the vulnerable individuals within the University District.

Connect with James

office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-12pm

phone: 614-937-0221

email: lewisj@southeastinc.com

learn more
find resources
FAQ

Our impact

The report outlines the second year of the program and impacts made

resources

Connect to resources within (or walking distance from) the University District. For more resources across the City of Columbus, click on "Street Card"

Contact
Outreach Team

outreach@universitydistrict.org
(614) 937-0221

30 West Woodruff Ave.
Columbus, OH 43201

Office Hours:
MWF 9-noon

FAQs

  • Engaging with clients in the University District area who need assistance with mental health, substance use, housing, or any other basic needs. Outreach includes building rapport and trust with clients while providing light case management work and connecting them with various partners/resources, hygiene products, clothes, bus passes, food, identification documents, phones, tents, and other basic needs.

  • The University District Clinician is an employee of Southeast Health Care often refers clients to their various teams and departments. Other community partners include:

    • Neighborhood Services Inc. (NSI food pantry)

    • St. Stephens Episcopal Church, OSU College of Social Work

    • OSU Student Life

    • Gateway Security

    • Mount Carmel Street Medicine

    • City of Columbus Dept. of Neighborhoods

    • Columbus Metropolitan Library

    • St. Sophia’s Church

    • Buckeye Food Alliance

    • OSUPD, CPD (Community Lainson Officers)

    • University Interfaith Council

    • Community Clothing Outreach

    • Columbus Free Clinic

    • STAR House

    • Clintonville Resource Center

    • Jordan’s Crossing

    • Downtown SID

  • The University District Clinician serves clients who are experiencing homelessness, substance use, or a mental health disorder. Clients are referred to community partners and Southeast for additional help with housing, benefits, social security, counseling, jobs, or other additional case management. The boundaries of service are the University District outline.

  • The office is located at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 30 W Woodruff Avenue, Columbus Ohio 43210. Drop-in office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9a-12p. Phone number for call or text is 614-937-0221. Email: morgan.weininger@southeastinc.com or outreach@universitydistrict.org

  • Donations are accepted at the office in St. Stephen’s Church. Ideas for various donations include toiletries, clothes, shoes, book bags, coats, reusable bags, water bottles, canned goods and other shelf stable foods.