Finding employment, education, and training is the best way to reenter the community and to stay out of jail.
Let's be clear; it's not going to be easy. With a criminal record, you have to work harder than the average job seeker, but it can be done, and the Coalition is focused hard on removing unnecessary and prejudicial barriers to hiring.
Apply to work for Franklin County
Apply to work for the City of Columbus
Get training and education, often with specific programs available for individuals with a criminal record
- Adult Diploma Options Program - See the link below
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjlLjSJaR7A
- Goodwill Columbus
Services: job training and workforce skills
Location: 1331 Edgehill Rd.
Phone: 614.294.5181
- OhioMeansJobs
Services: job training and job search services; Mayor's "Restoration Academy"
Location: 1111 E. Broad St.
Phone: 614.559.5052
- Impact Community Action
Re-entry Program, Workforce Dev. Training and Certifications: Comp TIA+, CDL, Medical Assistance, Phlebotomy, Building Trades, Programming for Children of Incarcerated Parents
Location: 711 Southwood Avenue Columbus, OH 43207.
Phone: 614.252.2799
- Alvis Community Reentry Center
employment education, HIRE (help in reentry employment) program, GED classes
Location: 1991 Bryden Rd.
Phone: 614.252.0660
- TOUCH
computer literacy, job readiness and search skills, GED classes
Location: 37 Robinwood Ave. Whitehall, OH 43213.
Phone: 614.338.8733
- YouthBuild
job training (NCCER construction certification), computer literacy, job placement, GED classes
Location: 820 Mansfield Ave.
Phone: 614.222.4705
- Columbus Urban League
Workforce development, career services, job training, work readiness, workforce development, and career counseling;
Location: 788 Mt Vernon Ave.
Phone: 614.257.6300
- Community for All People
Free store, first birthdays, affordable housing, healthy eating, youth development, training initiatives, job opportunities
Location: 946 Parsons Ave.
Phone: 614.445.7342
- Godman Guild
Adult education, Employment programs, Community engagement programs, health and wellness programs, and youth programs
Location: 303 E. 6th Ave.
Phone: 614.294.5476
- Eckard Workforce Development
job readiness training, GED and high school diploma assistance, certifications, internships, supportive services, paid work experience, and skill training for youth
Location: 80 S. 6th Street, Lower Level
Phone: 614.312.4935
- Jewish Family Services
access online job search tools, resume building, jobs at all levels
Location: 1070 College Ave.
Phone: 614.231.1890
- New Directions Career Center
education, graduate services, job training, employment services, career counseling, coaching sessions
Location: 199 E. Rich St.
Phone: 614.849.0028
If you are a Veteran
- Volunteers of America
employment services & computer resource center
Location: 624 Harmon Ave.
Phone: 614.351.1881
- Amvets Career Center
employment services & free online courses
Location: 1395 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Suite 222
Phone: 614.431.6990
If you are deaf or have a severe hearing issue
- Deaf Services Center
case management, peer support, advocacy
Location: 5830 N High St.
Phone: 614.841.1991
If you have a mental illness
Employment and education resources include:
- After-School All-Stars Columbus
Location: 1743 West Lane Avenue, Columbs, OH 43221
Phone: 614.257.1678
Hours of Service: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Service: Health/wellness
- All THAT
Location: 1375 S. Hamilton Rd. (Rear Door). Columbus, OH 43227
Phone: 614.745.0007
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mental health, health and wellness, education
- Alvis
Location: 2100 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.252.8402
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Education, employment, mentoring, and health and wellness
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Location: 1855 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
Phone: 614.839.2447
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mentoring, education
- Buckeye Hope Community Foundation
Location: 1183 Essex Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 (YouthBuild)
Phone: 614.291.0805
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Education, employment, mentoring, and health and wellness
- City Year Columbus
Location: 35 North Fourth St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.586.4520
Hours of Service: Varies - typically length of school year
Cost: Cost effective
Service: Education and employment
- Columbus Metropolitan Library
Location: Main Library - 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.645.2275
Hours of Service: After school hours as needed
Cost: Free
Service: Education, employment, and mentoring
- Columbus Urban League
Location: 788 Mount Vernon Ave., Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: 614.257.6300
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mental health, health and wellness, education, and employment
- COVA - Center of Vocational Alternatives (Columbus location)
Location: 3770 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214
Phone: 614-294-7117
Hours of Service: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Service: Employment
- OhioMeansJobs
Location: 1111 E. Broad St., Suite 201 - Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614.559.5157
Hours of Service: Monday - Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: Free
Service: Internship/Job Prep
- Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
Location: 2080 Citygate Drive, Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: 614.445.3750
Cost: Free
Service: Education, employment, health and wellness, and mental health. Works to prepare children for college and future careers (can provide years of service depending on services needed).
- Eckard Workforce Development
job readiness training, GED and high school diploma assistance, certifications, internships, supportive services, paid work experience, and skill training for youth
Location: 80 S. 6th Street, Lower Level
Phone: 614.312.4935
- Hilltop Shalom Zone
Location: 514 Columbian Ave., Columbus, OH
Phone: 614.398.1230
Hours of Service: Open Monday - Friday from 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. on days when Columbus City Schools are in session
Cost: Free
Service: After school care
- Hittle House
Location: 774 Internet Dr., Columbus, OH 43207
Phone: 614.443.5454
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Varies
Service: Education, mentoring, mental health, and health and wellness
- J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center
Location: 85 S. Clarendon Ave., Columbus OH, 43223
Phone: 614.279.0012
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mentoring, education, mental heath, health and wellness
- The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio
Location: 195 N. Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: Main Office: 614.839.2447
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Cost
Service: Mentoring, Employment, Education, and Other Benefits: leadership roles and skills formed for mentor position
- Nehemiah House of Refuge "Building Lives of Men"
Location: 1433 East Main St., Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614.824.1338
Hours of Service: Extensive
Cost: Cost
Service: Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness, Employment
- New Directions Career Center (women only)
Location: 199 E. Rich St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.849.0028
Hours of Service: Programs vary. Office hours: Monday -Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Sliding scale fee
Service: Education and employment
- Serve Ohio
Location: 30 East Broad St., Suite 2487, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.728.2916
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Health and wellness and other benefits: community relationships
- Simba Mentoring
Location: 855 West Mound St., Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: 614.275.2690
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mentoring, education, health and wellness
- T.O.U.C.H
Location: 37 Robinwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43213
Phone: 614.338.8733
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Mentoring, health and wellness, mental health, education, and employment
- United Way of Central Ohio
Location: 360 S. 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.227.2700
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Free
Service: Education, employment, health and wellness, and mental health
- Unlimited Blessings Community Outreach Services
Location: 1381 Oakwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
Phone: 614.304.1381
Hours of Service: Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Service: Reentry
- YMCA of Central Ohio
Location: 40 West Long St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.224.1142
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Yes
Service: Education, mentoring, and health and wellness
- YouthBuild Columbus Community School
Location: 1183 Essex Ave., Columbus, OH 43201-2925
Phone: 614.291.0805
Hours of Service: Varies - typically school years to obtain degree
Cost: Free
Service: Education and employment
- YouthBuild U.S.A
Location: Main Office: 58 Day St., Somerville, MA, 02144
Phone: 617.623.9900
Hours of Service: Varies
Cost: Affordable
Service: Health and wellness, education, employment, mentoring, and housing