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.
Real Relief. Measurable Change.
Measuring What Matters
We measure transformation, not just output.
216
people served
2023–2025
70%
Completed the full program
8 in 10
Graduates reach stable employment
2.3%
Recidivism rate vs. 43% national avg.
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 — ”
— 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
“I got out of prison and it was really cool to go somewhere that they didn’t care about what your background was, if you had any convictions, or they just wanted you to come and show up and work. And I did, and I showed my all, and that’s how I became chef at Natalie’s.”
Our Partners
Service! works alongside public agencies, restaurants, hospitality businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to expand opportunity throughout Central Ohio.
Franklin County Community Partnership
Federal Community Project Grant (Rep. Joyce Beatty / DOL)
State of Ohio Capital Budget
City of Columbus (Elevate)
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
CDDC (Columbus Downtown Development Corp)
The Columbus Foundation
Columbus City Council
Columbus State Community College
White Castle Foundation
The Kitchen
Bank of America
Fifth Third Bank
Hamilton Parker
Orli Partners
Oakland Nursery
Janet Jackson
Mike Webb (Webb Contrators)
Roosevelt Coffee
Blockfort
The Loom
Pacemour Creative
GRAD+
Company by Design
Compton Construction
A Carpenter's Son
Recognized for Building a Stronger Hospitality Workforce
Recognition
Awards
Columbus Craft Cocktail Humanitarian Award
Short North Alliance Community Partner Honoree
Columbus Urban League Empowerment Day Award
Metropreneur Emerging Social Enterprise of the Year Award
NACo Achievement Award Winner for Franklin County
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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In 2024, Service! directed approximately 75% of total expenses directly to programs like Café Overlook and emergency assistance, with the remainder supporting the operations and compliance that keep those programs running responsibly. That's well above the 65% benchmark funders typically look for.
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Service!'s federal grant funding requires a compliance audit under 2 CFR Part 200. Full financial details are available in our Form 990, available upon request.
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.