In the 38 years since the NDC’s inception, I am sure there have been some odd years—but none as odd, strange, and challenging as 2020. From small business owners to public meetings with hundreds of residents, we’ve relied on face-to-face interaction to gather community voices for many years.

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The pandemic has crushed our idea of normalcy and forced us to shift our focus on redefining our lives at work and at home. Impassioned protests and inspiring demonstrations, on the other hand, have brought the lasting legacy of racism and its enduring impact on our communities into sharp light—in Columbus and nationwide. It’s been a difficult time. And while we’ve all been in this together, we still have much more work to do.

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In what seems like an endless period of distancing, we are confident that new, creative solutions will emerge. In the cauldron of difficult times, great thinking and unprecedented work are often forged. However, what has become more imperative than ever is that we must work together on problems that have plagued our communities for far longer than the pandemic. At the Neighborhood Design Center we remain committed to serving our mission and our neighborhoods.

 

In partnership with you, we can drive impactful solutions to these persistent problems. We wish you the best in navigating these challenging times and most importantly, we hope to see your smiles face-to-face in a restored new normal in the near future.

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With Strength and Optimism,

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Isabela Gould
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR