Columbus City Council last Monday awarded more money to the beleaguered Franklinton “harm reduction” drop-in center Sanctuary Night yet gave nothing to 1DivineLine2Health, the original and competent West Side drop-in center started by Esther Flores.

Flores, a registered nurse, is a Columbus pioneer. She was the first to open a drop-in center – a much-needed safe house – for the addicted “street sisters” of Franklinton, the Hilltop and the rest of the West Side, for that matter. She took it upon herself in 2015 to create what amounts to a brave and gutsy grassroots movement, risking everything to take care of thousands of sex-trafficked and homeless women and their children. Flores, a Catholic, has earned the nickname “The Saint of Sullivant Avenue” from the Free Press and was the news org’s Libby Award winner for 2021.  

Indeed, Flores’ movement picked up traction during the pandemic. She helped over 3,000 women in 2020 and most of Central Ohio took notice. More funding came her way, and she opened a drop-in center in Linden. She also began offering more services to the children of these “street sisters.”

Also taking notice were those who saw an opportunity. By taking her passion and making it their own, which could partially be commended. But there are suspicions about the timing of Sanctuary Night, that opened in 2021. For instance, the state is flush with corporate opioid settlement money, and Sanctuary Night leadership is well-connected to those dispersing it.

Initiated by Governor DeWine and Attorney General David Yost, OneOhio is tasked with distributing the $500 million Ohio received from pharmaceutical manufacturers and opioid distributors, such as Cardinal Health of Dublin. Sanctuary Night’s executive director and founder, Hannah Estabrook, also a Vineyard church pastor, is best friends with Yost’s daughter. As we all know, Yost is far-right MAGA and many of Sanctuary Night’s board members are also connected to the Vineyard, which skews evangelical. OneOhio gave Sanctuary Night $300,000 in 2024. As for Flores, she hasn’t received “one dime” from OneOhio.

But while Sanctuary Night and 1DivineLine2Health have similar missions, they are far apart when it comes to carrying out said mission. Sanctuary Night, to put it mildly, has fumbled Flores’ passion. Countless complaints by neighbors and hundreds of police runs to Sanctuary Night forced the City of Columbus to file a lawsuit against them back in May. After this, a Franklin County Environmental Court inspector made an unannounced visit but was denied entry and asked to sign a nondisclosure form

So, what does the City Council do two months later? Unanimously votes to give Sanctuary Night tens-of-thousands more in funding, which will come from Department of Development grants. The Free Press learned the vote itself, which was called for by Shannon Hardin, came as a surprise to some members of City Council.  

What isn’t a surprise is the “Columbus Way” co-opting a local activist’s passion and making it their own and profiting from the theft of their passion. Flores’ community, which she has tirelessly worked for, is telling her: “Too bad! But keep doing what you’re doing. Because our police aren’t up for the task of ending the illicit drug scourge which has plagued Sullivant Avenue for decades.”

To be absolutely clear, Flores’ humility doesn’t allow her to think this way. The “Columbus Way’s” theft of ideas is what the Free Press and others know all too well.

“You shouldn’t reward bad behavior,” said Flores to the Free Press after we reached out to her following the vote. “Why are smaller nonprofits constantly overlooked who care for those who are hurting themselves and their loved ones? Why should public funding be used on a nonprofit that has already spent money creating a glorified trap house? A trap house is closed within three months, but Sanctuary Night has been operating for three years allowing women to do drugs inside and outside their property. Ohio has not yet approved ‘safe injection sites.’ These facilities have professionals who can revive folks who overdose.”

As mentioned, Flores is focusing more and more on helping the children of the “street sisters.” She set up a children’s garden, and a playground is there. The addicted, however, are sleeping on the playground’s slide at night. She needs a fence but is scrambling for funding.

“I am passionately angry City Council is has agreed to commit risky behavior with the Sanctuary Night, and with the people I vowed to protect and save,” she said. “We need leaders to reward organizations that genuinely care for these hurting folks instead of capitalizing from their pain. The bigger nonprofits that receive funds do not see the amount of pain and suffering that the smaller nonprofits see.”

Witnessing your passion stolen by the “Columbus Way” and having funding and recognition siphoned away is debilitating and agonizing. But if you know Esther, you know she is unflappable.

“The peons are busting their brains and sweating to help the masses by teaching life skills and setting healthy boundaries. Too many decisions are made by a selected few while the experts on the frontlines are ignored. Let us stand love which protects the most vulnerable in our community!” she said.