Our Story
Hunger will return, hair will grow, clothes will fade, but acts of love and encouragement create everlasting growth.
Make-A-Day (MAD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the central Ohio community. Founded in 2018, MAD was born from a simple yet profound experience shared by cousins Kyle and Alex, who spent a day with two unhoused individuals, sharing a meal, shopping for clothes, and connecting on a personal level. This moment sparked the vision for Make-A-Day: to bring dignity, community, and support to those in need, while also offering pathways toward greater stability and opportunity. Inspired by the legacy of their grandfather, Ralph Emrich, who devoted his life to serving his community through food distribution, prison ministry, and refugee support, MAD hosted its first pop-up event at 5th and High St. The event offered free meals, haircuts, and services, with cousin Rebekah joining in to provide haircuts and bring a personal touch to the day.
Today, Make-A-Day builds on Ralph’s foundation by fostering spaces of connection, joy, and empowerment for individuals facing adversity. Our mission goes beyond addressing immediate needs; we are committed to helping people regain their dignity and create a path toward a brighter future. Through lively pop-up events, weekly street outreach, and housing resource clinics, we provide both support and opportunities that empower individuals to take the steps toward lasting stability and economic independence. These efforts are designed not only to offer relief but to open doors to solutions that help individuals rebuild and thrive.
Our mission is to empower the impoverished through inclusive community events, acts of kindness, outreach, advocacy, and educational awareness. Guided by our core values of being human-centered, reliable, action-oriented, creative, relationship-focused, and committed to empowerment, we work to foster a supportive and uplifting environment for all, helping individuals break the cycle of poverty and homelessness while offering opportunities for personal growth and long-term success.
