WSA Number 10: Building Community Through Design
October 10th will mark the 10th anniversary of WSA's annual cornhole tournament and silent auction fundraiser. This milestone event isn't just about friendly competition and fun - it's a powerful demonstration of how design can transform communities and change lives.
Empowering Communities Through Design
This year, we’re proud to support the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) through our cornhole tournament and silent auction fundraise. The NDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities in Columbus and Central Ohio through participatory design. The NDC’s mission aligns with our WSA’s commitment to fostering creativity and connection through thoughtful design.
“The partnership between WSA and NDC can set up a model for coming together in our efforts to uplift the built environment and the quality of life in our communities that need it most,” Isabela Gould, Executive Director of the Columbus NDC said. “We, at the NDC, believe in design as a right, not a privilege, but we cannot do our work alone.”
Transforming Neighborhoods, One Project at a Time
The funds raised from this year’s event will directly support the NDC’s innovative programs, such as Power of One, 614-Beautiful, Columbus Is My Neighborhood, and Youth CoLab. These initiatives are making a tangible difference to impact neighborhoods across Columbus, and engage the next generation of architects and designers.
“The Neighborhood Design Center’s work creates pride in place,” NDC Board Member and Homeport Vice President of Real Estate Development, Aaron Wasserman, said. “Public engagement allows neighborhood residents to direct their future. Urban design shows local residents and the outside world that a place is worth committing yourself to. These conditions attract people of all backgrounds, support local businesses, and create places with public events, public art and public spaces.”
One standout example of the NDC’s impact is the transformation of Ava’s BBQ in the Hilltop neighborhood. What began as a food truck has now become a thriving brick-and-mortar restaurant, thanks to the NDC’s beautification grant programs. This success story demonstrates the power of design in revitalizing local businesses and communities.
Read more about Ava’s BBQ, a part of NDC’s Power of One program, here
Nurturing the Next Generation of Designers
An exciting initiative that will benefit from this year’s fundraiser is the Youth CoLab, an award winning 6-week program of NDC that offers a paid summer internship opportunity to local high school students interested in the field of design. Having launched in 2023, participants are empowered to learn about career opportunities across a variety of professions, all while they develop their own design for a project they then work to implement.
Gould shares the program’s vision:
“Professional development and community improvement through design are at the core of the Youth CoLab. The program, which aims to bridge an imagination gap that many of our underserved youth have, offers paid internships to high school students and aims at creating an immersive exposure to the design professions, coupled with hands-on experience on an urban intervention project.”
A Celebration of Community Spirit
We can remember when this event started as a small get together after work one day. The growth of it over the past decade is a testament to the power of community involvement. What started as a friendly tournament has evolved into a vibrant celebration of design, community, and giving back. This year’s event will feature:
- The renowned WSA cornhole tournament
- A silent auction showcasing items from local and national vendors, brands, and events
- Food, drinks, and live music
- The opportunity to hear about the work being done by the NDC directly from their team
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and participants. Their commitment has enabled us to create an event that not only raises funds but also raises awareness about the incredible work being done in our community.
Join Us in Making a Difference
As we celebrate ten years of impact, we invite you to be part of this milestone event. By participating, you’re not just enjoying a day of fun and games – you’re contributing to the vital work of the Neighborhood Design Center and helping to build a more inclusive and vibrant Columbus for all its residents.
“Placemaking is a unique intersection between people, underutilized spaces, and creative solutions,” Gould said. “Together, we can create responsive and neighborhood-driven solutions that help beautify spaces, so they could become long lasting, impactful places for all people.”