The organizations behind State of Youth
Youth Partners Coalition
Seven organizations dedicated to young people experiencing housing instability in Central Ohio. Together, their programs span shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, life skills, health care, and employment support.
Seven partners. A shared commitment.
Explore each organization’s website for current services and ways to get involved.
The Buckeye Ranch
The Buckeye Ranch helps young people leaving foster care prepare for stable adulthood through its My Place and Bridges programs, with housing support, life skills, education, employment readiness, and self-sufficiency coaching.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Home for Families
Home for Families helps families build lasting housing stability through rapid re-housing navigation, emergency financial assistance, behavioral health care, academic support, and early childhood enrichment.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Huckleberry House
Huckleberry House supports young people through a 24-hour Teen Crisis Program and emergency shelter, transitional living apartments, a community Counseling Center, and youth outreach.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Kaleidoscope Youth Center supports LGBTQIA+ young people through a drop-in community center, free behavioral health services, youth-led programming, community education, advocacy, and civic engagement.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Ours Brothers Keepers
Ours Brothers Keepers works with at-risk and underserved young people, primarily on Columbus’s East Side. Its work includes mentorship, life skills, behavioral health support, job readiness, and emergency community resources.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Star House
Star House offers a low-barrier drop-in center for young people ages 14–24, with health care, counseling, case management, food, hygiene supplies, and other daily support. It also operates Carol Stewart Village, an affordable housing community with on-site services.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
YMCA of Central Ohio
YMCA of Central Ohio is one of the seven Youth Partners Coalition organizations committed to supporting young people and housing stability. Visit its website for current housing programs, community services, and ways to get involved.
Organization overview: 2026 State of Youth report, pp. 4–5 (PDF pages). Visit the organization for current program details.
Research partner
Research conducted by Illuminology.
The Columbus-based research firm brought together local data, conversations with coalition agencies, and interviews and focus groups with young people. Its analysis informed the report’s findings, social return on investment estimates, and collaborative priorities.