Our story
Rooted in community, growing together
Rhiza is the Greek word for root. We believe every person deserves a strong foundation — and that communities thrive when we hold each other up.
Why we exist
No one should face a crisis alone
The Rhiza Project was founded on a simple conviction: that the people in our community who are struggling most are also the most resilient — they just need someone in their corner.
We connect Central Ohio families with emergency resources, wrap-around support, and a network of neighbors who care. Whether someone is facing addiction, homelessness, financial hardship, domestic abuse, or disaster, we show up.
Our name says it all. Rhiza — roots. Strong roots hold a tree through any storm. We are here to help people put down roots, find stability, and grow.
"Rhiza" — the Greek word for root.
Strong roots hold a tree through any storm. We help people put down roots, find stability, and grow — no matter what they're facing.
The Story & Why Behind Rhiza 🌱
Rhiza means "root," and for us, that represents exactly where meaningful change begins.
Rhiza was created when two families — the Basil Family and the Holliday Family — came together with a shared vision: to take the experiences, relationships, knowledge, and resources we've built throughout our lives and use them to make a difference in our community.
For the Basil Family, helping others has been part of our lives for many years. Since 2013, our family has operated a business within the addiction and recovery community. Because of that journey, addiction is especially near and dear to our hearts. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives and have built relationships with many resources that can help people find support, treatment, recovery, and a path forward.
But we also learned something important along the way:
Those experiences changed the way we see people and the needs around us. We realized we didn't want to just talk about helping. We wanted to become people who show up.
People rarely struggle with just one thing.
Addiction can be connected to homelessness. Financial hardship can affect children. A single parent may need clothing, food, transportation, or simply someone willing to help. A family can be doing fine one day and find themselves in an unimaginable situation the next.
The Holliday Family saw an opportunity to take what had already been built and grow it into something even bigger — a nonprofit where both families could bring their experiences, connections, resources, and hearts for helping people together under one mission.
And from that shared vision, Rhiza was born. 🌱
Our mission isn't limited to addiction.
It's about people.
It may be someone struggling with addiction, a family experiencing homelessness, a single parent who needs support, a child who needs clothing, someone facing poverty, or a family who simply needs help getting through a difficult season.
If there is a need, we want to know about it.
We may not always have the answer ourselves, but through Rhiza we hope to build a network of people, businesses, organizations, resources, donors, and helping hands that allows us to say, "Let's see what we can do."
No judgment. No qualifications for kindness. Just people helping people.
Two families. Years of experience. A growing network of resources. One community. And one shared desire to make a difference.
The Basil Family + The Holliday Family
This is our why.
This is Rhiza. 🌱
Rooted in experience. Growing through community. Serving wherever there is a need.
What guides us
Our core values
Dignity first
Every person who walks through our door is treated with unconditional respect and compassion — no judgment, no barriers.
Radical welcome
We meet people exactly where they are. No prerequisites, no waiting lists, no fine print.
Community-rooted
We are Central Ohio neighbors helping Central Ohio neighbors. Local knowledge, local trust, local impact.
Whole-person care
A crisis rarely has one cause. We address the full picture — housing, health, finances, family — not just the presenting problem.
Transparency
We are accountable to the people we serve and the donors who make it possible. Every dollar is stewarded with care.
Hope as practice
We believe change is possible for everyone. Hope is not a feeling here — it is something we actively build together.
The people behind the mission
Our team
The Rhiza Project is powered by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community partners who bring lived experience, professional expertise, and deep compassion to every interaction.
Brian Basil
President
Brian is a 43-year-old Ohio resident dedicated to supporting individuals and families in his community. Passionate about helping people overcome addiction, financial hardship, family crises, abuse, and unexpected emergencies, Brian believes in the power of compassion, community, and second chances — and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those around him.
Tally Basil
Secretary
Tally serves as a dedicated member of the Rhiza Project, helping support the organization's mission to uplift individuals and families throughout Central Ohio. Passionate about strengthening the community, connecting people with needed resources, and offering compassion during difficult times, Tally helps create hope, encourage healing, and remind people that they do not have to face life's challenges alone.
Cory Holliday
Treasurer
Cory oversees the Rhiza Project's financial responsibilities, committed to responsible stewardship, transparency, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to provide meaningful assistance to people facing hardship. Through dedication and careful service, Cory helps strengthen the foundation of the Rhiza Project and expand its positive impact in the community.
Ready to make a difference?
Whether you want to donate, volunteer, or refer someone in need — we'd love to hear from you.