I Need a Job or Job Training

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 Task Force is focused hard on removing unnecessary and prejudicial barriers to hiring.

Use Some M.U.S.C.L.E.

The State of Ohio, Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) M.U.S.C.L.E. program - Making Use of Services Can Lead to Empowerment - website contains many resources, including your ability to apply for a Certificate of Achievement and Employability to present to potential employers. Also, visit Why Hire for information and talking points to bring up to employers on why ex-offenders make good employees.

Apply to work for Franklin County

• Board of Commissioner agencies
• Other County departments and Elected Officials

Apply to work for the City of Columbus

• City of Columbus Employment Center
• JobHelp - compiled by Columbus Public Health, a guide to finding Columbus-area employment
• Columbus City Council Workforce Development - prepared by the office of Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla Tyson, a slideshow guide to workforce resources in and around Columbus

Get training and education, often with specific programs available for ex- and re-entering offenders

• Goodwill Columbus
  job training and workforce skills
  1331 Edgehill Rd., 614.294.5181
• Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC)
  job training and job search services; Mayor's "Restoration Academy"
  1111 E. Broad St., 614.559.5052
• Impact Community Action
  computer literacy, workforce skills
  700 Bryden Rd., 614.252.2799
• Columbus State Community College - Logistics Art program
  job training, certification (forklift, logistics), job placement
  315 Cleveland Ave., 614.287.2434
• Alvis House Community Reentry Center
  employment education, HIRE (help in reentry employment) program, GED classes
  1991 Bryden Rd., 614.252.0660
• TOUCH
  computer literacy, job readiness and search skills, GED classes
  3968 E. Main St., Whitehall, 614.338.8733
• YouthBuild
  job training (NCCER construction certification), computer literacy, job placement, GED classes
  820 Mansfield Ave., 614.222.4705
• Columbus Urban League
  Workforce development, career services
  788 Mt Vernon Ave., 614.257.6300

If you are a Veteran

• Volunteers of America
  employment services & computer resource center
  624 Harmon Avenue, 614.351.1881
• Amvets Career Center
  employment services & free online courses
  1395 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Suite 222, 614.431.6990

If you are deaf or have a severe hearing issue

• Deaf Services Center
  case management, peer support, advocacy
  5830 N High St, 614.841.1991

If you have a mental illness

• Center of Vocational Alternatives (COVA)
  3770 N. High Street,
  Columbus, Ohio 43214
  614.294.7117 or 1.877.521.2682
  TTY: 614.298.6884