Forging a Partnership that Works For the Community
At the heart of this initiative is the Columbia Concepts-Flier Joint Venture, a pioneering collaboration between Columbia Community Care and Columbia Concepts. These entities then formed a separate nonprofit, Columbia Community Concepts, to deliver on our vision of the Flier redevelopment for the benefit of our community. This venture represents the unification of real estate development expertise with an unwavering commitment to community empowerment and social innovation. Indeed, key stakeholders—local nonprofits, tenant businesses, community leaders, development partners—came together, united by the purpose to build a space that does more than house services: it fosters sustainability, economic development, fiscal independence, and community support for organizations working at the front line of need.
What began as a commitment amongst 40 educators and community members to ensure students and families could stay nourished and supported during the global pandemic has since transformed into Columbia Community Care – a network of hundreds of volunteers, donors, and community partners, working to provide food and services to hundreds of local individuals and families each week. Columbia Community Care’s goal is to make an impact for those they serve today, and for generations to come. Their food distribution sites and grocery delivery program break through barriers of stigma and shame by serving every person who requests our services. Their mentorship and youth programs offer a path for young people to engage in meaningful and purpose-driven learning and growth. Their health and healing programs offer the community opportunities to elevate their mind, body and soul. Columbia Community Care embodies the very spirit of community and civic duty that Columbia, Maryland is famous for by relentlessly pursuing a commitment to uplifting all individuals and families in need with dignity and respect.
As our preeminent partner and anchor tenant at the Source, Columbia Community Care, will service a trauma-informed hub for families, youth, and multilingual communities at The Source. Columbia Community Care's services and programming will include collaboration suites for nonprofits; a delivery pantry and donation distribution hub; classrooms and career-readiness spaces; apprenticeship and workforce training rooms; sensory “peace rooms” for youth and adults; arts and creative expression studios; a youth recreation/game room; and a digital storytelling and recording studio. These spaces substantially expand Columbia Community Care’s ability to support food security, youth leadership, and family stability—now in a permanent, purpose-built environment.
As our preeminent partner and anchor tenant at the Source, Columbia Community Care, will service a trauma-informed hub for families, youth, and multilingual communities at The Source. Columbia Community Care's services and programming will include collaboration suites for nonprofits; a delivery pantry and donation distribution hub; classrooms and career-readiness spaces; apprenticeship and workforce training rooms; sensory “peace rooms” for youth and adults; arts and creative expression studios; a youth recreation/game room; and a digital storytelling and recording studio. These spaces substantially expand Columbia Community Care’s ability to support food security, youth leadership, and family stability—now in a permanent, purpose-built environment.
