How High School Interns Are Transforming South Columbus

A Summer of Growth and Community Impact

In Columbus, Ohio, a unique summer internship program is blending professional development with community improvement, offering high school students the chance to make a real difference in their neighborhoods. The CoLab Studio, an initiative by the Neighborhood Design Center, has become a platform for youth to engage in meaningful projects that not only enhance their skills but also contribute to the revitalization of local spaces.

Jeremiah Bazemore, a high school sophomore, shared his gratitude for being part of this program. “It’s just such a blessing to be in this program,” he said. “It’s such an amazing opportunity and I’m truly grateful. I’ll truly remember this forever.” His words reflect the sentiment of many students who have participated in the program, which aims to empower young people through hands-on experience.

The program was created to provide youth with opportunities they might not otherwise have. “Not every community is perfect, and doing stuff like this, I would say it brings the community together,” said Ronnie Wren, a high school junior. “So, I’m glad to be a part of this. It’s probably, like, the best opportunity I’ve ever had as a summer job.”

This year, the students were tasked with revitalizing a popular community resource on Columbus’ south side: the All People’s Fresh Market. Located at the corner of Parsons Avenue and Whittier Street, the market was once described as “a little lifeless” and “a little empty” by Bazemore. Over the past seven weeks, the interns have worked diligently to transform the space into something vibrant and inviting.

The project focused on creating a space that is “fresh, free, and flourishing.” Students were paid to design and implement changes that would make the market more welcoming to the community. One of the most notable additions is a mural that features a queue line complete with fresh produce and games, along with a road mural to guide car traffic and new landscaping.

“I can look back on this and show family, show people I connect with in the future, and say, ‘Hey, I was a part of this really big project,’” Wren said. “I got to make a difference in my community.”

The initiative, launched two years ago by the Neighborhood Design Center, was designed to target a demographic that had previously been overlooked—youth in Columbus. Mikey Mlakar, the project coordinator, explained, “We realize there’s a certain demographic that we specifically hadn’t been targeting, which is youth in Columbus. They don’t have as many opportunities to get into design, and we know that there are plenty of interesting, creative kids out there that exist in our communities.”

For many students, the experience has been transformative. “If we weren’t getting paid, I would still do this,” Bazemore said. “I would still contribute to this entire program because it’s teaching me new skills for the future. Like, I’ve piqued an interest for landscaping through this program. I’ve enhanced my skills in art through this program, and communication and leadership.”

When asked if they would participate again, every intern responded with an enthusiastic “yes.” Faith Smith, a high school freshman, added, “This program gets kids to stay off the streets, to have a better way of making money.”

As the program comes to a close, the students will unveil their artwork at a large community celebration at the All People’s Fresh Market from 12 to 2 p.m. on Friday. This event will not only showcase their work but also highlight the positive impact they have made on their community.