Invest in Our Vision

There is no lack of potential in our students.

Investment creates the opportunity to reveal, develop, and highlight what they are capable of.

INVEST IN A HARDY KID ->

Your Investment Makes A Difference.

Why invest in The HARDY Center?

  • Our programs deliver measurable academic growth while building the character, confidence, and lifelong skills students need to thrive.In the 2025–26 Afterschool Academic Achievement Program, 68% of students were at or above grade level in ELA and 82% in math, with students averaging 9 months of academic growth in just 5 months. These results demonstrate what is possible when students receive consistent, targeted support designed around their individual needs.

Our Outcomes

  • The young people we serve in Linden and the surrounding Columbus community face barriers to opportunity, not a lack of potential. Local academic data shows just how significant the need is. Across Columbus City Schools, only 26%-35% of students are proficient in reading and 21%-26% in math, compared with Ohio averages of 60% and 54%, respectively.

Explore The HARDY Way

  • We do things differently than anyone else. The Hardy Way blends academics, experiential learning, and character development to create Hardy Kids- the critical thinkers, problem-solvers and meaningful contributors to society that the future demands.

Who We Serve

  • We are committed to transparency, accountability, and using resources efficiently to maximize student outcomes.

Financial Transparency

OUR MISSION

We build the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and contributors to society the future demands.

OUR VISION

Transforming underserved communities one Hardy Kid at a time.

OUR IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

We believe potential is everywhere. Opportunity is not.

The HARDY Center exists to close the gap- not by lowering expectations, but by creating the academic foundation, experiences, relationships and opportunities young people need. they are capable of.

From Proficiency to Purpose

Develop the Child. Equip the Contributor. Transform the Community.

Each pillar strengthens the next while continuing to reinforce those that came before. Together, they form a comprehensive model for developing not only successful students, but capable adults, responsible citizens and purposeful leaders.

Explore The HARDY Way ->

ORGANIZATIONS PARTNERING WITH THE HARDY CENTER

After 20 years of refining our model, we are now preparing to expand our reach through strategic partnerships.

INVEST IN OUR VISION

Stay Connected!

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Fall Break Reminder! The HARDY Center will be closed October 12th–16th. We hope our HARDY kids, families, and staff enjoy a restful week! We’ll see everyone back when the Afterschool Academic Achievement Program resumes on October 19th!
And just like that, our first week is in the books! Our HARDY kids had a great first week of the 2026–2027 Afterschool Academic Achievement Program. Students wrapped up their IXL diagnostics, began working one-on-one with their tutors, and sta
Yesterday, we welcomed our Hardy Kids back for the 2026–2027 Afterschool Academic Achievement Program, and what a way to start the year! Our first day was all about getting settled in, getting to know one another through a fun get-to-know-you
Today is the day! We’re welcoming our HARDY kids back for the 2026–2027 Afterschool Academic Achievement Program! We’re so excited to see our students, reconnect with our HARDY families, and get to work supporting our kids as they
The HARDY Center team has been out in the community connecting with the next generation of educators, mentors, and youth leaders at career fairs across Columbus. We’ve visited Ohio Dominican University, The Ohio State University, Otterbein Uni
We’re grateful to have had The HARDY Center represented at the Big Table hosted by The Columbus Foundation by our Executive Director, Stephen Garland. Thank you to Doug Kridler for the invitation and for creating space for The HARDY Center to
This Saturday, we hosted our first tutor training session of the year, welcoming both new and returning tutors to the HARDY team. Together, we focused on youth protection, day-to-day expectations, and the responsibility that comes with being part of
Want to work at The HARDY Center? We’re hiring afterschool tutors to join our Afterschool Academic Achievement Program. Help HARDY Kids build academic proficiency, confidence, and the skills they need to turn learning into purpose. Apply now
What does it mean to go from proficiency to purpose? The HARDY Way is how we put that philosophy into practice. Through eight pillars, we intentionally develop the skills and dispositions students need to move beyond academic success and become conf
We believe academic proficiency is a foundation, not the finish line. Our work helps students build the knowledge and skills they need to succeed today while developing the confidence, critical thinking, problem-solving, and sense of purpose to con