Huckleberry House

Today, we celebrate 55 years of hope, shelter, and support at Huckleberry House! ?? ?? This milestone wouldn’t be possible without you, our supporters. For 55 years, your generosity has kept our doors open to young people in need. Whether you've donated, volunteered, or shared our mission, you’ve played a role in changing lives. Your support and our impact are deeply connected—two parts of the same story of hope. ?? Huckleberry House was born out of compassion and advocacy. In the 1970s, a group of churches saw a need and took action to provide safety and shelter for runaway teens on OSU’s campus. Today, our staff carries that legacy forward, ensuring young people have the support they need to build brighter futures. ??Their dedication and continued growth allow us to show up in the ways young people need us most. Join us in building a stronger foundation for the future and help us reach our $3,600 goal to invest in training and development for our staff—every dollar makes a difference! Today's your last chance to cement your impact: https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN

Lunch plans? Let’s make them count! ??? If you’re thinking about what’s for lunch today, why not grab something delicious and support a great cause? Order from ClusterTruck and use our code, and a portion of your meal goes directly to our Huckleberry House Day Fund! ?? Order here: clustertruck.com ?? Enter our code in checkout: HBHOUSE-25 So, what’s for lunch? Let us know what you’re craving in the comments! ?? #DineToDonate #SupportYouth #BuildingAFoundationTogether

Huckleberry House counselor Sami is dedicated to helping young people heal. ?? Last year, she completed a two-part EMDR training to expand her therapeutic skills. EMDR is a specialized therapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic or distressing memories. ??? "EMDR is a completely different type of therapy than I usually practice. It requires trust, patience, and insight from both the clinician and client. EMDR has allowed me to better support my clients by helping them process difficult memories and pieces of trauma that have been barriers to their healing. One of the main takeaways from this training was that no single therapy works for everyone, but there is a therapy or modality out there for everyone." – Sami ? Sami says, "Everyone who seeks therapy deserves a clinician willing to continue learning and growing to serve their clients better!" Your support ensures our staff can do exactly that: provide the best care for the young people in our community. ?? Donate today to help us reach our $3,600 goal and invest in the professionals changing young lives! Give now: https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN ??

At the RHYA Conference in Atlanta, Crisis Intervention Specialist Ila gained valuable insights into maladaptive behaviors: how young people react when placed in unfamiliar, high-stress environments. ??? "A majority of maladaptive behaviors are learned on the spot as a response to stress. This workshop helped me separate a behavior from the person and recognize that these reactions aren't who they are but what they're experiencing. Since returning from the conference, one strategy I've implemented is focusing on autonomy in every aspect of a young person's stay at our Crisis Shelter. These behaviors arise when they feel like they have no control over their situation. But finding ways to give them that control and remind them of their autonomy has been a major game changer in making them feel more comfortable and supported." – Ila ?? As Ila's experience shows, professional development directly strengthens the care we provide. It gives our staff more confidence in their work and ensures the young people we serve receive the best support possible. ?? Help us continue investing in our team! Please donate today to support staff training and help us reach our $3,600 goal. Give now: https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN ?? ??

Strong teams create strong communities. ?? Huckleberry House believes that investing in our staff is an investment in the young people we serve. That’s why we created a new role: Director of Professional Development. Melanie ensures that our team receives the training and support they need to navigate challenges and provide the best possible care. ?? Learn more about Melanie’s journey and the impact of professional development in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/41lLIP7 This #HuckleberryHouseDay (3/6), you can help us continue this vital work. Your donation to the Huckleberry House Day Fund directly supports staff development—because when our team thrives, so do the youth we serve. ?? Join us in reaching our $3,600 goal! Donate today: https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN #BuildingAFoundationTogether #YouthHomelessness #ProfessionalDevelopment

Professional development strengthens the care and support we provide to young people in crisis. That’s why we invest in training opportunities—like the CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified Instructor Training that Annali attended last June! Over three days in Cincinnati, Annali gained critical de-escalation skills to keep both staff and young people safe while in our Teen Crisis Program. Now, as a certified trainer, she’s teaching our team how to respond to crises with empathy, understanding, and nonviolent intervention—because every young person deserves a safe and supportive environment. You can help make more opportunities like this possible! In honor of Huckleberry House Day (3/6), we’re raising $3,600 for staff development. Your support ensures our team continues to grow, learn, and provide the best care for youth in crisis. ?? Donate today to the Huckleberry House Day Fund: https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN #HuckleberryHouseDay #InvestInOurTeam #SupportYouth #BuildingAFutureTogether

This Black History Month, we honor Black pioneers in social work and human services who paved the way for advocacy, equity, and systemic change. Their work continues to inspire us as we support young people navigating challenges like homelessness. ?? Read more about their impact: https://bit.ly/4gSZoXe #BlackHistoryMonth #BuildingAFoundationTogether #YouthAdvocacy

??? Foundation Builder Spotlight: Elaina ??? Meet Elaina, a Crisis Intervention Specialist at Huckleberry House and a sophomore at The Ohio State University studying social work. Elaina has been a steady and compassionate presence in our Crisis Program for the past year and a half, helping youth navigate their most difficult moments. Her dedication goes beyond her shifts; she even crochets blankets for young people moving into their first apartments, ensuring they feel warmth and comfort as they start a new chapter. "Every shift I work at Huckleberry House, I get to enact the skills I've learned in class. My career here has strengthened my confidence as a future social worker and taught me so much about myself." Elaina, thank you for building a foundation of hope and support for young people in need. ?? #FoundationBuilders #HuckleberryHouse #YouthSupport #SocialWork

Thank you, Columbus Metropolitan Club, for hosting an engaging conversation with Joyce Beatty, expertly moderated by Karen Kasler. Our table appreciated Rep. Beatty’s candid insights on the federal government—both leadership and legislation—and their impact on essential services and funding for Ohioans and all Americans. If you missed it, watch the full discussion on the CMC website: https://bit.ly/41c3Cn4 #Leadership #CommunityConversation #Columbus

?? Celebrating Huckleberry House Day: 55 Years of Empowering Youth ?? Since 1970, Huckleberry House has been a safe haven for young people, providing shelter and support when they need it most. This success is made possible by our incredible staff, who dedicate their hearts and expertise to making a difference every single day. In honor of Huckleberry House Day on March 6 (3/6), we’re raising funds for professional development—an investment in our biggest asset: our team! ?? There are two ways you can help us reach our goal of $3,600 for staff development: 1?? Donate in increments of $6. Consider increasing your impact by making a recurring donation! To donate now, head over to https://bit.ly/4b6u5qN 2?? Dine to Donate with ClusterTruck! From February 28 through March 6, 20% of the proceeds from your order using our code, HBHOUSE-25, will support our Huckleberry House Day goal for staff development! Together, we’re building a brighter future for the young people in our community. ?? #HuckleberryHouseDay #BuildingAFutureTogether #ProfessionalDevelopment #SupportOurStaff #55YearsStrong