In 1989, residents living in Franklinton, east of downtown Columbus, decided to take action against the rising number of high school dropouts. Instead of attending classes, kids were turning to drugs, alcohol, gang activities, and crime. Though it began as a volunteer-run organization, Community for New Direction (CND) was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1995.
Through innovative programs and positive relationships, CND empowers individuals to achieve their potential. With five service locations in Columbus, CND reaches the most at-need populations in our community and responds to community needs, serving inner-city, economically distressed neighborhoods. CND provides outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment services to adults and prevention services to youth grades K-12 to reduce substance use and abuse. It also provides violence intervention to youth and young adults. Today, the organization serves over 2,000 individuals each year.
CND provides services in three core areas:
Prevention and leadership development for youth ages 5-18
CND youth services include a unique focus on academic support, leadership training, and mentoring provided through in-school and after-school programs, Summer Day Camp, an annual college tour, and a FOCUS program for high school students.
Violence intervention for youth and young adults ages 16-24
In partnership with the City of Columbus Department of Public Safety, CND program staff spend time in gang-controlled areas, building relationships and engaging in outreach with active gang members with the goal of reducing violence and seeking out those who want to do something different with their lives.
Adult mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for adults 18 and up
In 2019, CND opened an all-male Recovery House as part of its adult treatment program and achieved a 3-year Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation which was renewed in 2022. It remains one of only two Level II Recovery Houses in Franklin County.
What’s next for CND?
In 2023, CND will complete its renovation of two buildings located on the East Side of Columbus. These buildings will house the Adult Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment Services facility, bring much-needed mental health and substance abuse services to the area. The expected completion is set for August 2023. They’ll also complete a renovation of their main office sites, which host summer camp and after-school programs.
You can support CND’s important work by parking at one of the Change for Charity parking meters here at Easton, paying an Easton parking ticket, or making a donation directly to the organization.
Short-Term Parking. Long-Term Impact.
Our Change for Charity Program designates a new organization every two months to receive a portion of the meter proceeds and ticket revenue generated at Easton, allowing us to donate over $2 million to over 85 organizations across Central Ohio. Check out our list of past recipients here.
