Crittenton Community Center

Supporting Healthy Community Development

“It’s going to change the lives of the youth and families we serve for generations to come.” – Duane Casares, Former DFYF CEO

Crittenton Community Center is a 20,000+ square foot social services center in the eastland area of Columbus. We opened in October 2023 with a goal to strengthen the connectivity of the community and provide easy access to services that were either not available or hard to access.

The Center serves as a service hub that focuses on healthy community development. We collaborate with other non-profits and provide space for them, free of charge, to provide needed services.

Services & Resources available:

Healthcare: primary care and prenatal care through OhioHealth’s mobile unit. More info here.
Nutrition programs and support for women and children through WIC. More info here.
Digital skills classes and free devices for eligible participants through ConnectUS. More info here.
Community garden for community members to grow and harvest their own fresh food. Contact Jason at JMoncrief@dfyf.org for details.
Youth programming: DFYF’s after-school and summer programs. More info here.

The Center serves as a gathering space for community events and meetings. We are in discussions with other social service agencies as we continue to add services to be offered out of the Center. Watch for senior services and workforce development programs coming soon.

DFYF’s Community Restoration Model

The Crittenton Community Center uses DFYF’s Community Restoration model of care, a social justice approach to revitalization that is transferable to other neighborhoods. This initiative was developed to work collaboratively with a community to identify its challenges and barriers, and then brings in partners to address those issues, ultimately aiming to create a prosperous community that does not rely on gentrification. The Community Restoration model is being piloted at DFYF’s Crittenton Community Center. It was developed in response to lack of access to basic needs in that neighborhood. We identify partners to address the challenges that the community faces, such as high rates of housing insecurity, infant mortality, and food insecurity. Addressing the basic needs of vulnerable populations, human service agencies come together in partnership to provide needed services in impoverished areas. The model addresses the five social determinants of health, incorporates a multi-generational approach, and is framed in the Trauma Informed Community Building model. The Community Restoration model begins with a Community Cultural Assessment to identify distinguishing community needs. Working WITH the community and allowing them to direct the process along with identifying the right community partners are key components of the model.

Other key components to the model include treating childhood trauma, breaking generational patterns, a non-traditional approach to workforce development, and commitment to diversity.

“We believe in Social Justice. We believe in community restoration. We believe communities can heal themselves. They just need some support along the way.” – Duane Casares, Former DFYF CEO