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2O2 4 – 2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S 75 For instance, in the imme- diate aftermath of last sum- mer’s fire at Hawthorne Place Apartments, the foundation provided grants that pur- chased mattresses, dressers, hotel rooms and more for the displaced tenants. Still drawing lessons from the pandemic that uncov- ered some socioeconomic disparities in Yellow Springs, the foundation launched YSEQUITY in 2022 — a guar - anteed income program that provides qualified residents in Yellow Springs and Miami Township with $300 every month over a period of 24 months. Again, “no questions asked,” Cox said. “We did a lot of research before launching the program, but it was still scary,” Cox said, referring to the rarity of sanc- tioned universal basic income programs. It’s the second guaranteed income program in Ohio and the first documented program in a municipality the size of Yellow Springs. Nevertheless, YSEQUITY has been a success, Cox said. By July 1 of this year, 45 local residents will be receiving a guaranteed $300 each month. LOOKING AHEAD, STILL GIVING BACK Alongside all these chari- table investments in the com- munity, it may seem uncharac- teristic for the Yellow Springs Community Foundation to give itself a 50th birthday gift. Just the same, the organiza- tion marked its semi-centen - nial with a new homebase. After 27 years at 108 Dayton St., above the former Design Sleep space, the community foundation moved to 201 S. Walnut St. in April this year. Nestled between the downtown business district and Mills Lawn Elementary, the little stone building made for “a perfect fit” for the foundation, Cox said. Owned by the Village and constructed nearly a century ago, it’s where the former Yellow Springs School District offices were sited, and prior to that, the Yellow Springs Library. Now, the foundation will pay $1,500 per month to occupy the space. “For the next 50 years, we believe this is the right spot for us,” Cox said with a smile. In the few weeks since the foundation has been at 201 S. Walnut St., the building has undergone considerable trans- formation. As Cox said, with the help of the Village, the stone building has gotten new ADA-compliant bathrooms and plumbing; an updated electrical system; a tidying up of the old, damp base- ment; and, in ongoing efforts, a switching of the building’s direction. Whereas the back door faced Xenia Avenue, that will soon be the foundation’s entryway — clad with a forth- coming porch and awning. “We like the idea of looking at downtown Yellow Springs, almost being a part of the bustle of it all,” Cox said. But looking ahead — beyond that downtown bustle — to the next half-century, the executive director said she believes her organiza- tion will stay the course. As she said, food security, social justice initiatives and making Yellow Springs a more equi- table place to live and work are all top priorities. “The goal is to continue lis- tening to our community and responding as best we can,” Cox said. “I don’t know how things will shift with regard to funding or donations — hopefully for the better — but I think there will always be more great ideas in Yellow Springs than there is available money to fund those ideas. But that’s where we, as a foundation, come in.” She added, addressing the average villager: “If we’re ever missing something, let us know. We always aim to do better.” To learn more about the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, to donate to its funds or scholarships, to volunteer or to apply for grants and more, visit the foundation’s website at yscf.org . ♦