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Career & Job Help

Career & Technical Schools in Central Ohio

Career Technical Schools offer training programs that can prepare students for the workforce or college degree programs. Career-Technical Education (CTE) is available at every public school in the state of Ohio free of tuition. High school students should check with their home school district to see what CTE school they are eligible to attend, and for transportation options. Students may attend CTE schools for half-day or full-day programs to continue extracurriculars or classes at their home school. Program pathways typically include healthcare careers such as nursing, information technology, automotive services, welding, cosmetology, graphic design, and others. Check with each CTE school to see what programs they offer. Many CTEs offer adult education programs such as free diploma and GED programs, career certificates, and personal enrichment classes.
List of Ohio Career Technical Centers: highered.ohio.gov/about/ohios-campuses/career-technical-education/career-technical-education-ohio-technical-centers

Columbus City Schools Career-Technical Education: Serves high school juniors and seniors in the Columbus City Schools district. Adult & Community Education offers programs for health occupations, skilled trades, computer applications, high school equivalency, and free ESL/ESOL classes.

  • Columbus Downtown High School: 364 South Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    (380) 997-4213
  • Fort Hayes Career Center: 546 Jack Gibbs Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    (380) 997-6126
  • Adult & Community Education: 2323 Lexington Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211
    (614) 365-6000
    ccsoh.us/Page/11802

Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools: Offers programs for high school juniors and seniors in Franklin, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties. Programs for adults include GED, ESL/ESOL, STNA, HVAC, and welding. Employability Prep is a personalized, transitional program for Franklin County students ages 16-21 with learning differences to receive hands-on training at community job sites. They offer free summer day camps for Grades 6-8 to experience hands-on learning.
4300 Amalgamated Place, Groveport, Ohio 43125
High School: (614) 836-4530
Adult Workforce: (614) 836-4541
Summer Camp: (614) 836-4530
eastlandfairfield.com

Delaware Area Career Center (DACC): Offers a variety of career-readiness opportunities for middle school and high school students on their campus and through satellite programs. They offer summer day camps for rising 7-9th grade students in Big Walnut, Buckeye Valley, Delaware City, Olentangy, Worthington, and Westerville school districts. Adult Education includes free adult diploma, GED, ESL/ESOL, and personal enrichment classes.
4565 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(740) 548-0708
delawareareacc.org

South-Western City Schools Career Tech: For junior and senior high school students in South-Western City School District. They also offer free adult workforce development courses in the evenings for HVAC, Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA), auto maintenance, and more.
4750 Big Run South Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 801-3400
swcsdcareertech.com

Tolles Career & Technical Center: Serves Dublin, Fairbanks, Jonathan Alder, Hilliard, London, Madison-Plains, and Jefferson school districts. Adult educational opportunities include free ESL, GED, STNA EMT, personal enrichment classes, and more.
7877 U.S. Highway 42 South, Plain City, Ohio 43064
(614) 873-4666
tollestech.com

Central Ohio Public Libraries

Visit your local library to get access to free books, music, movies, documentaries, games, and more. Many libraries offer free community events, group reading times for children, homework help, job and business help, and more. Librarians can often help you get connected to local resources in your community, even if they are not offered directly by the library. Contact your local library for details.

Ohio

Franklin County

Delaware County

Fairfield County

Hocking County

Licking County

Madison County

Morrow County

Perry County

Pickaway County

Union County

City of Columbus New American Program

This program was created by the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods to give a voice to refugees and immigrants living in Columbus. This office provides interpretation and translation services for all City departments and collaborates with community partners on projects for New Americans. The New American Leadership Academy (NALA) is a year-long leadership and professional development program focused on civic engagement for New American residents. The program includes mentorship, lectures on government and public policy, engagement with community leaders, and completion of a civic engagement project. Applications typically open in the fall.
1410 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43211
(614) 645-1993
New American Resource Guide: columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/neighborhood/nala-2024-cohort-resource-guide.pdf
Main Website: columbus.gov/Community/Department-of-Neighborhoods/New-Resident-Information/The-New-American-Program

Columbus Public Health (CPH) Resource Lists

These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources near you. They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated annually and reviewed by the Columbus Public Health social work team. Please note that CPH does not provide direct monetary assistance, but these lists are helpful in finding community agencies that do provide this assistance. All lists updated 2025.
Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens
Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – French
Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Haitian Creole
Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Somali
Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Spanish

Health Care (Free Clinics, Dental, Vision & Women’s Health)
Emergency Resources (Housing, Food, Utilities, Safety & Clothing)
Agencies Serving Immigrants & Refugees
Job Help (Unemployment, Looking for a Job, Online Searches)
Pregnancy Resources (WIC, Healthcare, Utilities, Baby Supplies, Diaper Banks, Housing, & Parenting Classes)
Prescription Help (Reduced Cost Prescriptions, Discount Programs & Medicaid Info)
Programs & Resources for Seniors
Mental Health & Substance Use Resources (Crisis Lines, Healthcare, Support Groups, Disposal Box Locations)

240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-6807
columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Find-Health-Care-Resources/Health-Resources-List

Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS)

Nonprofit serving refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio. Services include English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, job readiness classes, case management, and referrals to additional community resources. Additional programs include:

  • Newcomer Support Services: Available for Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, and other ORR-eligible populations to receive support with things like enrolling in school, public benefits, and scheduling medical appointments.
  • Legal Clinics: Help with immigration legal matters such as work authorizations, asylum, naturalization, and more. Legal Clinics are available once per month specifically for residents from Ukraine, Haiti, or Refugees filing for permanent resident status.
  • Early Refugee School Impact (ERSI): Provides free early childhood development and educational support for children ages 0-5.
  • Community Connectors: Provides 1:1 mentorship New American youth and adults.
  • Parenting for Limited English Proficient (LEP): Provides in-home parenting support for families with children ages 0-18 in English, Somali, and Spanish.
  • Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA): Provides confidential and trauma-informed services such as help filing compensation claims, assistance in court, and referrals in English, Spanish, Somali, Nepali, Hindi, and Arabic.
  • CRIS Wellness Clinic: Provides individual, group, and family counseling for ORR-eligible populations or those recovering from trauma. Contact the organization or visit the website for additional program details and eligibility requirements.

Main Office: 4645 Executive Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220
CRIS Wellness Clinic: 1520 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 235-5747
crisohio.org

ELLA: Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy

Professional development organization empowering Latinas in Central Ohio. Their six-month program brings together Latinas in a variety of career stages and includes professional mentorship, culturally relevant workshops and civic engagement. Applications are generally due in April, with sessions running through the summer and fall. Go online to sign up as a mentee or mentor.
7385 State Route 3, Westerville, OH 43082
ellacolumbus.org

Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS)

Helps immigrants and refugees from all countries establish roots and gain self-sufficiency in Central Ohio. They offer job training, resettlement support, mentoring, English language classes (ESL), case management for victims of domestic violence and more. Youth programs include after school tutoring, Pathways 2 Success paid work training program for ages 16-18, wraparound coaching and support services for ages 14-18, scholarship opportunities, and summer camp.
4300 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43123
(614) 252-5362
ethiotss.org

Godman Guild

Offers a variety of free work readiness programs. Adult programs include GED preparation, ESL/ESOL, Career Bridges customer service training, and technology classes. Youth programs include after school homework help, mentoring, and career exploration for grades 9-12. Blue Bow Tie offers professional catering services while providing job opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment. Camp Mary Orton offers summer camp experiences for youth ages 6-14, team building retreats, and venue spaces with proceeds supporting Godman Guild programs.
P.O. Box 8100 Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 294-5476
godmanguild.org

Jewish Family Services (JFS)

Helps individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency. Services include job search assistance, mental health counseling, and case management to help clients find jobs, stable housing, and wellness resources. Business services include recruitment and referral of job candidates, networking opportunities, and cultural competency counseling. They offer 1:1 digital coaching, Digital Skills Hub courses, and digital skills workshops to help clients navigate technology. The Financial Empowerment Center offers free one-on-one financial counseling in-person or online for adults in Central Ohio. Confidential mental health counseling is available with licensed therapists; they accept private insurance, self-pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. They also offer specialized services for refugees, New Americans, Holocaust survivors, and older adults/senior citizens. Rent assistance may be available depending on funding. JFS is open to the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.
1070 College Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209
(614) 231-1890
jfscolumbus.org

Muslim Family Services (MFS) of Ohio

Social service agency established by Muslim women to help women and families overcome challenges. They support the Muslim community in Central Ohio by offering referrals, and material support. Services include basic needs assistance (food, housing referrals), mediation and conflict resolution services, interpretation and paperwork assistance, resettlement support, ESL classes, job skills training, and Janazah (Muslim funeral) services. They host seasonal giving programs for school supplies, and Eid and Ramadan meals.
4900 Reed Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 470-2848
wp.mfsohio.org/let-us-help

Our Helpers

An immigrant and women-led non-profit improving the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Franklin County. Services for adults include case management/eviction prevention, ESL/ESOL classes, and mental health first aid classes. The food pantry/Community Free Store is available for income-eligible families by appointment only, call to make an appointment. Youth programs include free summer camp opportunities, and Our Light Program for boys ages 17-22. The organization also accepts volunteers.
2021 East Dublin Granville Road, Suite 197, Columbus, Ohio 43229
(614) 733-9555
ourhelpers.org

Refugee Welcome Collective State Resource Map

Dedicated to improving outcomes for refugees resettled in the United States. Anyone can use the State Resource Map to find information on cash and food assistance, healthcare, programs for English language learners, job search assistance, and other important resources specific to your state.
Resource Map: refugeewelcome.org/state-resources

Riverview International Center (RIC)

Resource Center assisting with basic needs for New Americans. Services include ESL/ESOL classes, employment services, computer literacy, citizenship assistance, homework and reading help, a monthly legal clinic, and summer programming for elementary and middle school children. Their office welcomes walk-ins for any questions about navigating life in America.
1520 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, OH 43220
(614) 427-3368
riverviewinternationalcenter.org

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