OUR STORY
Since 1928, Foundation For Youth (FFY) has been at the heart of our community — inspiring and enabling our youth, and empowering the families of Columbus. What began as a grassroots effort to “keep the roving bands of youth from the streets of Columbus” has evolved into a vibrant hub of opportunity, leadership, and connection. We’re proud to be one of the earliest examples of the “Columbus Way,” where local leaders joined forces to invest in our children and shape a stronger, more unified community. What started as a place of safety has grown into a center for enrichment, mentorship, and personal growth. Today, FFY provides a wide array of programs that serve kids and families at every stage. We create spaces where young people can discover their strengths, build lifelong relationships, and learn the values of teamwork, responsibility, and compassion.
A Legacy of Impact
Each year, hundreds of Club Kids come through our doors after school and during the summer — and data shows that those who attend 52 times or more annually are significantly more likely to graduate from high school. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, youth who are matched with a mentor are far less likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system. Our athletics and aquatics programs do more than develop physical skills; they cultivate discipline, cooperation, and the confidence to lead. Out in the woods at Columbus Youth Camp, kids explore 137 acres of forest, trails, and water — learning how to set goals, solve problems, and work as a team. Many young campers go on to become counselors, returning year after year to share what they’ve learned and to lead by example.
From Generation to Generation
Over nearly a century, the ripple effects of FFY’s work have shaped lives across the nation. Former FFY kids are now local business leaders, educators, medical professionals, public servants, and community organizers. They are our neighbors and our leaders — the ones helping Columbus thrive today and investing in tomorrow. You’ll find FFY alumni in our schools, our hospitals, our city government, and beyond. They are living proof of what happens when a community believes in its youth.
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Who We Are Today
Located at 405 Hope Avenue, Foundation For Youth is home to impactful, mission-driven programs including:
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Boys & Girls Club
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County
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Athletics
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Aquatics
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Council for Youth Development Bartholomew County
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Columbus Youth Camp
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Prevention Initiatives
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TBRI:Foundation For Hope
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Safe Place
Every service we offer is rooted in our mission: to inspire and enable our youth and our community. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but more than that, we’re a movement — powered by volunteers, community partners, families, and young people who believe in building a better future together.
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The story of FFY is one of transformation, resilience, and hope. And it’s still being written — every day, by every child who walks through our doors. Whether you’re a parent, a volunteer, a donor, or a former FFY kid yourself, we invite you to be part of our mission and help us raise the next generation of leaders. Together, we’re not just serving youth — we’re shaping a community where everyone has a place to belong, to grow, and to lead.
From The Evening Republican, April 13, 1929:
New Boys Club Rooms Will Be opened Monday
The headquarters of the newly organized Boys' Clubs, established in the old Washington school building* will be opened officially Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, according to an announcement made today by officers of the Columbus Foundation For Youth. The club is being sponsored by the Foundation, which also is backing the Boy Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls here.
A format opening of the new club rooms will not be made until later, probably the following Saturday. The formal opening will be marked by a program and the presentation of a picture of the late William E. Barnaby to the Boys club. Mr. Barnaby was president of the Foundation at the time of his death and was a leader in the movement to establish a Boys club here. His picture will be hung in the club's headquarters.
Everett Brown, an assistant in the physical education department of the local schools, will be in charge of the club rooms when they are opened Monday. He will be there from 4 until 5:30 in the afternoon and then the place will be closed until 6:30, when it will be re-opened. The final closing time for the night will be 9 o'clock.
The old school building has been refinished on the inside and fitted up with a number of snooker and pocket billiard tables, games of other kinds, chairs, tables and the like. Certain restrictions are imposed on the boys, of course, and Mr. Brown will keep a complete check on the games.
Boys between the ages of 14 and 21 are entitled to senior memberships in the club, while those under 14 will be admitted as junior members. Membership cards may be obtained now from Miss May Conner, in the office of Donald DuShane, superintendent of city schools.
*Washington School building - north of seventh on Pearl (north of the old Olympia Dairy)
April 30, 1964, this photo of the Boys Club appeared in The Evening Republican (Republic) newspaper. Today, the building is home to the Columbus Visitors Center.
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