Announcing the RIC’s new Executive Director
From Jeremy Ellison, Executive Director of the Riverview International Center
It is a great day to be a part of Riverview International Center (RIC) to welcome and serve our New American neighbors. There are many wonderful organizations helping people in Columbus. What drew me to the RIC, though, is that we take the struggle out of getting and finding assistance by having our office within walking distance for over 1500 New Americans living on or near Riverview Drive.
I am excited to work with our passionate staff: Diane, Emelia, Em, Hamida and our interns. What they do daily is truly inspiring. The multitude of services, over 7000 neighbor visits in this year alone, that they provide to our neighbors is mind-boggling.
Thank you to our amazing donors and volunteers. Whether it is providing necessary resources for a program, reading with children, teaching an English class, driving neighbors to job interviews, or any of the other numerous ways you contribute; you are crucial to the RIC’s success.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Kirsta Benedetti. We would not be here today without the tremendous work and vision she did as the founder and Executive Director role before me. Her legacy will continue to shape the RIC in immeasurable ways.
We are entering a new phase in the RIC’s growth as we strive to expand our capabilities and serve an even greater portion of Columbus’ immigrant and refugee communities. In order to achieve this, I pledge to:
Strengthen our Mission by focusing on developing real relationships with our New American neighbors; and in so doing, empowering our neighbors by supporting individuals, strengthening families, and nurturing community
Build upon our existing culture and ensure that all decisions align with, and support, our core values.
Work with our staff and volunteers on a variety of programs that enrich the lives of our new American neighbors and dispel misconceptions about immigrants and refugees.
Strengthen relationships with you, our valued volunteers and donors, so that you are included in the process of furthering the RIC’s mission.
Address the mental health needs of our neighbors and staff.
Establish more corporate and foundation partnerships that will help provide resources and job opportunities for our neighbors.
Streamline processes and bolster our infrastructure in order to accommodate more services.
Be an honorable steward of the RIC’s resources and finances in order to ensure that we are able to fulfill our mission for decades to come!
The RIC will continue to be a place where our neighbors can feel a sense of belonging as they figure out their new lives in Columbus, Ohio.
I welcome your questions and comments and look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ellison
Welcome Jeremy to the RIC!
Tuesday, August 2, 6:30pm - 8pm
Open house with snacks
RIC parking lot
552 Riverview Drive, Columbus, OH 43202
A note from outgoing Interim Executive Director, Diane Linton
Echoing Jermey’s words, “It’s a great day to be part of the Riverview International Center!” I am thrilled to have Jeremy start as our new executive director leading the RIC into its next level of growth and service in Columbus. Two of my goals when I began as interim in April 2021 stated:
Put in processes to streamline the RIC’s current work to ensure that our infrastructure is in compliance in all the areas
Prepare the RIC to be in a good place structurally and financially, so we’re able to meet the salary requirements for a new executive director
I feel good about accomplishing these goals in preparation for Jeremy, our full time executive director. It Is exciting to have his leadership and the focus shift to strategic planning for the future. I am proud that we were able to react to BIG emergencies very quickly during the past few years. Our flexibility enabled us to pivot during the challenges of the pandemic to help our neighbors stay afloat in a variety of new ways. We collaborated with our support systems and moved forward again when we met and received so many Afghan refugees.
Jeremy has jumped right into his job. On his first day, he met Mayor Ginther at a press conference. In his first week he focused on meeting our neighbors, started to learn about new cultures and met many volunteers. He taught a budget class to Afghans transitioning out of refugee assistance, read to children during the summer reading program and took neighbors to volunteer at the new Mid Ohio urban farm at NBC4, next door to the RIC.
My title returns to Director of Philanthropic Engagement and I am thankful to be able to focus solely on this very important job. I look forward to working alongside Jeremy, our staff, donors, neighbors and volunteers to support the many life-changing programs that the RIC offers. And I’ll take a little rest too!
Thank you all for your support during this lengthy time of transition!
Jeremy gathers the children who participated in the summer reading program to give out prizes.
“I am extremely happy to be a part of helping the RIC grow while continuing to provide needed services to even more new American immigrants and refugees.”
- Jeremy Ellison, Executive Director
“My title returns to director of Philanthropic Engagement and I am thankful to be able to focus solely on all that this job needs. I look forward to working alongside Jeremy, our staff, donors, neighbors and volunteers to support the many life-changing programs that the RIC offers.”
— Diane Linton, outgoing Interim Executive Director