Council Continues to Support Small Businesses and Growing Families
No one wants to be in a situation with a baby who needs a diaper change and
nothing available but the bathroom floor.
In
response to a constituent concern, Council created a diaper changing station
grant program. The goal of this program was to increase equal access to diaper
changing stations in small businesses and organizations for all parents and
guardians in the City of Columbus.
“I
am grateful that small businesses and residents of Columbus took advantage of
this program,” said Council President Pro Tem Michael Stinziano.
“Columbus is home to the modern family, where both parents share equal and
interchangeable responsibilities. I want local facilities and our local
governance to reflect that.”
Council
distributed nearly 100 changing stations through the grant program.
“Since
installing our changing station, we have gotten great feedback from many of the
parents who patronize our business,” said Letha Pugh, owner of Bake Me Happy.
“This is especially the case with the growing number of dads frequenting the
shop. We are so grateful for the support of the Columbus City Council and its
efforts to make our businesses accessible to all.”
"As
a dad who has changed a lot of diapers in sub-optimal environments, options to
change diapers in a clean, warm and safe environment when out and about are
limited,” said Walt Keys, creative director and co-founder of The Land-Grant
Brewing Company. “As a business owner whose daughter spends a good deal of time
at the office with both parents, it was a no-brainer for us to install changing
stations in both restrooms.”
Businesses
and other organizations with 50 or fewer employees and located in the City of
Columbus were able to apply for the grant.
“After
installation, we found that the stations are not merely a friendly convenience
but a necessity for our customers with young children," Keys continued.
The
Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks has also begun the process of
installing equally accessible changing stations in recreations centers
throughout the City.
"Columbus
Recreation and Parks prides itself on being open for all and making our
community centers feel as welcoming as possible,” said Tony Collins, Director
of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “As a father myself, I am proud
that we are able to be part of this initiative to provide changing stations for
everyone.”
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