The Columbus Foundation’s Center for Humankindness and The Columbus Dispatch are launching a joint project to celebrate people who show kindness in their actions and work.
With the help of a grant from the foundation, The Dispatch has hired Sophia Veneziano to work as a reporter on stories about kindness in central Ohio. Veneziano started work this past week and will also contribute stories to Dispatch.com, Columbus Monthly magazine and Columbus CEO.
“We know there’s more good news from across central Ohio to share with our readers,” said Dispatch Editor-in-Chief Michael Shearer. “We are extremely excited to partner with the Columbus Foundation to make this effort possible. We could all use more good news.”
The Center for HumanKindness is a Columbus Foundation initiative committed to cultivating a culture of kindness to improve community well-being.
“Through the Center for HumanKindness initiatives, we hope to foster a chain reaction of kindness in the community, honoring each other’s humanity and strengthening our relationships – which in turn builds a stronger region,” said Kate Oliphint, director of the center. “We are excited to partner with The Dispatch to elevate stories of kindness in our community, celebrate what unites us and inspire more acts of kindness.”
The new reporting position coincides with a reimagined annual effort by the foundation and newspaper to recognize Central Ohio residents with “Everyday Kindness Heroes” awards.
Community judges recently reviewed the public nominations to select five finalists and 10 semifinalists who will be recognized at a Dec. 4 event at the Center for Science and Industry.
Veneziano is expanding The Dispatch’s local reporting team and will publish a weekly kindness story in the Sunday print edition and online. An Ohio native, she recently completed a master’s degree in media, communications and international journalism from the University of Glasgow. She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and has worked as a reporter at The Marion Star.
The Dispatch and the magazines maintain full editorial independence for the content Veneziano produces.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Foundation’s Center for HumanKindness funds Dispatch reporter
