As many of you know, philanthropy has always been important to me. Since moving to Columbus in 2005, I’ve had the pleasure of serving the Junior League, Childhood League, Dress for Success, Bexley Women’s Club, and more. Today I am pleased to announce a new partnership! I am teaming up with Value City Furniture to redesign the community center of Marsh Run, the flagship apartment complex of Central Ohio non-profit affordable housing developer Homeport.
In Franklin County alone, there is a 54,000-unit housing gap for low-income residents. Homeport’s mission is to close that gap by providing access to affordable housing units, like Marsh Run Apartments, its largest property. Currently the Marsh Run community center is primarily used for children’s activities and programs, and we aim to turn it into a welcoming space where children can learn, parents can relax and families can gather. The featured image shown is a sneak peek at the concept for the main sitting area of the community center.
Below I included the VCF press release with more details. I hope you’ll follow along as we transform the space!
xx,
Value City Furniture Announces Partnership with Homeport
Retailer to renovate affordable housing community center in Columbus
June 18, 2019 (COLUMBUS, OHIO) – Columbus-based national retailer Value City Furniture announced today a partnership to redesign the community center of Marsh Run, the flagship apartment complex of Central Ohio non-profit affordable housing developer Homeport.
“At Value City Furniture, we believe that everyone has the right to a well-furnished life,” said Value City Furniture President Jonathan Schottenstein. “We want to make that possible in our own backyard, starting with the people at Marsh Run Apartments by creating a comfortable, inviting space where they can create lifelong memories and celebrate life’s greatest moments with friends and family.”
Opened in Columbus in the year 2000, Homeport’s Marsh Run Apartments has 576 residents in 184 two-, three- and four-bedroom units. Having served the area since 1987, Homeport owns 2,380 affordable rental apartments and homes in 36 communities. Marsh Run is Homeport’s largest development.
The Marsh Run community center is primarily used for children’s after-school educational activities and summertime programs. The improvements will enhance that use and expand the center’s appeal to adult residents.
“Our residents deserve a welcoming, relaxing and inspiring place that they can be proud to call home, and we intend to create that,” said Homeport President and CEO Bruce Luecke.
Value City Furniture will donate nearly $20,000 in furniture and design materials to turn the community center at 2393 Canal Bay Way into a welcoming space where children can learn, parents can relax and families can gather. Physical changes are expected to start the last week of June and be completed in late July.
In addition to updating the space for use in after-school programming, the design team also plans to create a comfortable reading nook, a lounge area for informal gatherings and relaxation, computer work stations for children and adults, displays for artwork completed by children in the community and much more.
To help make this dream a reality, Value City Furniture and Homeport have enlisted a local interior decorator, Veronica Bradley with Veronica Bradley Interiors. Like Value City Furniture, Bradley will donate her services to design the new space. Columbus-based Bradley will collaborate with Value City Furniture to design a space customized for creating life’s greatest moments for Homeport’s residents.
Painting and installation will be done by Value City Furniture employees. The new center will be revealed to residents at a reveal party, complete with food, music and activities, following installation.
“We’re proud of our Columbus roots and honored to collaborate with other Columbus-based organizations like Homeport and Veronica Bradley Interiors to address the affordable housing crisis in our own community,” said Schottenstein. “This is more than a furniture donation; we truly hope this project gives the deserving residents of Marsh Run a place to celebrate everything from a child’s strong report card to a parent’s new job to a simple get-together to watch a sporting event or enjoy a meal –everyday moments that make life great.”
About Value City Furniture
Founded in 1948, Value City Furniture is a national furniture retailer with more than 120 stores across the U.S. The family-owned business believes everyone has the right to a well-furnished life and is known for its quality made Designer Looks Collection, which offers high-end styles at affordable prices.
About Homeport
Homeport is the largest, locally-focused nonprofit developer of affordable housing in Central Ohio. Its 6,276 residents, families and seniors, can access a broad range of services ranging from after school programming to emergency assistance for rent and utilities. Homeport partnerships also link its residents to food, furniture and employment assistance as well as medical and mental health services. Homeport is a leading provider of homebuyer education and budget and credit counseling for Central Ohio.
In Franklin County alone, there is a 54,000-unit housing gap for low-income residents. Homeport’s mission is to close that gap by providing access to affordable housing units, like Marsh Run Apartments, its largest property.
About Veronica Bradley Interiors
Veronica Bradley Interiors is a boutique interior decorating firm based in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded in 2015 by Veronica Bradley, a professional interior decorator with more than 10 years of in-house retail experience. Specializing in interior decorating and e-design services, she helps busy professionals and families decorate their condos, homes and vacation properties and turns Pinterest boards into affordable realities. Since 2016, she has received four Houzz awards for design and customer service. For more information about Veronica Bradley Interiors, please visit VBradleyInteriors.com or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
Media Contact:
Heather Sheppard
Fahlgren Mortine
heather.sheppard@fahlgren.com
614.383.1628
