Our Impact
Investing in people. Strengthening hospitality
Every hospitality worker who gains stability, every employer who hires a trained professional, and every entrepreneur who turns an idea into reality strengthens our community. That's what impact looks like at Service!.
Our Approach
Most organizations respond to a single need. Service! invests in the whole journey.
We remove barriers that keep people from working, develop professional skills, create pathways to career advancement, and strengthen the hospitality industry through partnerships, workforce development, and innovation. Our impact is measured not only by the people we serve today, but by the careers, businesses, and communities they help build tomorrow.
Impact Across the Journey
Organized by outcome, not by program.
Stability
Staying Employed
Helping hospitality workers overcome unexpected challenges so they can remain employed and keep building their futures.
Emergency financial assistance
Medical emergency support
Resource navigation
Transportation assistance
Workforce Development
Café Overlook
Foundational, paid training where participants learn the hospitality way — hands-on experience, confidence, and professional skills in a real working environment.
Career Advancement
The Line
Preparing hospitality professionals for leadership, management, and long-term career growth in a full-service restaurant environment.
Stronger Communities
Partnerships
Working with employers, public agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations to strengthen Central Ohio's hospitality workforce.
Measuring What Matters
We measure transformation, not just output.
79%
Employed After Completion
41
Enrolled This Cohort
$7.5k
Invested Per Participant
$1.26m
Community Return
Yr 1
Stories of Impact
Three perspectives. One shared outcome.
A Hospitality Worker
“Because of the support, guidance, and resources I received, I achieved a goal I set for myself — landing a career at the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency.”
— Anikqua Williams, Café Overlook Graduate
An employer
“Program graduates arrive with practical operational experience and professionalism.”
— Amy Slanker, Manager of Recruiting & Training, Together & Company
A Community Partner
“Service! has been an invaluable partner in building inclusive workforce pathways.”
— Michelle Koppitz, Coalition for the Common Good
Our Partners
Service! works alongside public agencies, restaurants, hospitality businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to expand opportunity throughout Central Ohio.
Recognized for Building a Stronger Hospitality Workforce
Recognition
Awards
James Beard Foundation: Food Issues & Advocacy, 2024 (contributor, Resilient Kitchens)
National Association of Counties Award: Café Overlook
Emerging Social Enterprise of the Year: Café Overlook, 2022
Columbus CEO Future 50, Class of 2022
W.E.L.D. Honoree: Anikqua Williams, Café Overlook Graduate
Press
NBC4 · 10TV
Columbus Dispatch
Columbus Underground
Columbus Alive
Columbus Monthly
Columbus CEO
The Metropreneur
Business Journals
Common Questions
What funders and partners ask.
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We track outcomes across the full journey — employment after program completion, cohort size, cost per participant, and community economic return — not just people served.
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Yes — see Reports & Publications on our News & Media page, or reach out directly.
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Program-vs-overhead breakdown
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Audit/financial review status
Looking Ahead
Join us in building the future of hospitality.
Whether you're investing as a donor, hiring as an employer, partnering as an organization, or sharing our mission, you're helping create opportunities that extend far beyond one person. Together, we're building a stronger hospitality industry.