After recent federal funding cuts, 12 older adults working for Community Development for All People lost their jobs at the end of June.
They were placed there by Vantage Aging Columbus’ Senior Community Service Employment Program, which paid them to work part-time.
“These folks are losing their community. It's more than a job here. It's actually a community,” said Mike Premo, the executive director of Community Development for All People. “So when they lose that income, it makes it harder for them to afford transportation, to get here, to even spend time and see the people that they've grown to know and love.”
The south Columbus-based nonprofit group runs programs that help connect low-income residents with food, clothing, and other resources. These programs include a free store and a fresh market, both on Parsons Avenue, where some of the older adults worked.
The funding cuts have affected the market as well. Premo said they’re not receiving enough food because of cuts affecting the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, which distributes food to local pantries and charities.
Despite the setbacks, Community Development for All People is still providing services "and connection and community to folks in a way that they don't get at other agencies,” Premo said, and is encouraging people to apply to become a volunteer.
“We have an army of dedicated volunteers, and so we're just looking for a new handful of folks to commit some time to us,” Premo said.
Premo said the organization is still in touch with those who lost their jobs.
They’re still shopping at the store and the market, and spending time with the friends they’ve made in the community, although lack of transportation has now made this process more challenging for them.