Festa

🎉 Congratulations to Miriam McGrath, our 2024 John C. Witherspoon Volunteer of the Year! 🎉 Miriam has been a cherished part of the Festa family since 2015, contributing over 1,000 volunteer hours teaching English and connecting with her students. As an ESL teacher, she goes above and beyond, organizing celebrations like baby showers and citizenship ceremonies, providing individual tutoring, and supporting students with remote learning when needed. Her dedication and passion for empowering our New American neighbors are truly inspiring. Miriam says... "Festa allowed me the opportunity to realize my capability of teaching English to adult students, and God has given me the strength to do so. Through this opportunity with Festa, my view on what a community is has thoroughly broadened." We are incredibly grateful for Miriam’s commitment and could not be more proud to honor her with this award! Celebrate Miriam with us in the comments!

We had an incredible celebration at the second annual International Festa-val! We were thrilled to welcome 1205 guests as we celebrated the richness of Central Ohio’s diverse community, all in one place! It was a fun day filled with live performances, a vibrant fashion show, delicious food samples from around the world, meals from local food trucks, and more! What was your favorite part of the International Festa-val? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

We are thrilled to announce that Columbus City Council member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla and ABC 6 WSYX-TV meteorologist Andrew Buck Michael will be the emcees for our upcoming International Festa-val! 🎤 Join us as we showcase our vibrant community with incredible live performances, a fashion show, food samples from around the world, and more! Get your tickets today at bit.ly/festa-val

Festa is thrilled to welcome some AMAZING community Partners to this year's Columbus International Festa-val on Saturday September 28th! The The Franklin County Engineer's Office, WCVO 104.9 The River, Urban Aviators Society, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Franklin County Sheriff's Office Human Service Chamber of Franklin County- Voter Engagement Team with support from the League of Women Voters and Nationwide Children's Hospital - On Our Sleeves Team. If your organization is interested in being part of this incredible, family-friendly event, please reach out this week in order to secure your spot! We look forward to having you join the fun on Sat. September 28th 3-7pm at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. You can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gCPfNKnU OR reach out to me directly! See you there!

#SponsorShoutout A big thank-you to our partners and friends at Franklin County Fairgrounds for hosting the Columbus International Festa-val for the second year! Is your company interested in sponsoring a fun + philanthropic event this summer? Let’s connect: https://lnkd.in/gPj2wxDE #ServingOurNeighbors

1 MONTH FROM TODAY... We'll be celebrating at our International Festa-val! The countdown has officially begun, and we couldn’t be more excited! Join us on Saturday, September 28 for a vibrant celebration of cultures from around the world. Whether you're enjoying dishes from Holy Tacos, Tortilla Street Food, and Elevated Kitchen, Mustafa’s Halal Gyro, or immersing yourself in cultural festivities, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets now at bit.ly/festa-val

This is your sign to invest in changing lives! Since 2007, Festa has been dedicated to lifting children and families out of poverty through our 3-Generation Family ESL program, expanding opportunities and empowering success. With a 67% increase in families served this year and decreasing city-wide philanthropy, we need your help now more than ever. Our goal is to raise $240,000 by August 31 to meet our year-end budget.. Your donation is more than just financial support; it’s an investment in transforming lives. Hear from Jesus, a Festa graduate, about how our programs have made a lasting impact on his life: “My mom went to the ESL program, and I came along with her. I started going to the camp in the summer and soon realized it was designed for me to have fun. I loved it, especially the soccer games and the role models like Miss Kelly. She's why I kept coming back after that summer. Later, we created Taco Bell Junior, which taught us real business skills and leadership. Those skills helped me become a manager and buy my own house. Without that experience, my path might have been much harder.” – Jesus Jesus graduated from The Ohio State University main campus with a degree in mathematics and meteorology in May 2023 and became a homeowner in March 2024! Help us continue making these impactful stories possible. Donate now at wearefesta.org/donate and be a part of our mission to lift families out of poverty.

Help us keep the party going this school year at 3-Generation Family ESL! At Festa, we bring home to children and families in need of support by connecting them to people, resources, and a hand up. Our ESL program is dedicated to empowering families and creating meaningful connections. Your support directly impacts lives by helping us offer essential classes, educational materials, and personalized assistance. Join us in making this year a success! Donate now at wearefesta.org/donate and help us keep the momentum going! 💜

A huge thank you to #HilliardHomeDepot for their generous donation of craft kits for our Summer Lunch Camp! 🎨 The children had a blast painting and assembling bird feeders and flower boxes, with special thanks to Gary Marcum, Operations Assistant Store Manager, for his hands-on support. Home Depot’s kindness has made a meaningful difference, and we invite you to join their example. Your support helps us continue providing enriching experiences like this. To get involved and contribute to our mission, visit wearefesta.org/give. Thank you, The Home Depot for your generosity and for being a wonderful part of our community.