Columbus OH
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Formerly Incarcerated


All THAT (Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow)

A mentoring program for youth attending Independence, Walnut Ridge, Whitehall Yearling High Schools and teens who have had contact with the Juvenile Court system. They also offer homework help, life skills training, and workforce development programming.
4117 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43227
(614) 745-0007
all-that.org

Alvis

Offers supportive services to adults and families involved in the criminal justice system. Referrals are required to receive services. Call for details.

  • Reentry Services: Helps people transitioning from the corrections system back into the community. Services include cognitive-behavioral treatment at their residential reentry center, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, workforce development, case management, mentoring, housing assistance, and links to community services and support.
  • Behavioral Healthcare: Offers traditional and intensive outpatient therapy and psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, job readiness, and trauma treatment.
  • Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Services: Includes residential care, behavioral intervention, vocational/job readiness skills training and supported living.
  • Family & Children’s Program: Supports children whose parents are justice-system-involved or suffering from substance abuse. Offers parenting programs, developmental assessments, critical needs free pantry, clinical services for children, and reunification activities.
  • Amethyst: Outpatient treatment, supportive housing, and wraparound services for drug or alcohol-dependent women and women with children.

2100 Stella Court, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 252-8402
alvis180.org

CleanTurn

CleanTurn provides affordable and professional home cleaning services, construction services, and commercial cleaning services. They are a  Fair Chance, “second chance” employer, and offer stable employment for individuals who have experienced incarceration, addiction, homelessness, or human trafficking. Their employment program includes career advancement training, coaching and interactive classes to reach personal and professional goals, comprehensive benefits package, and on-site counseling. Go to their website to request a quote for services or complete their online job application.
1059 Cable Avenue, Suite A, Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 447-0528
cleanturn.com

Columbus Urban League (CUL)

A community‐based, non‐profit, advocacy organization that works to empower Black and urban communities through economic, educational and social progress with programs, classes and services.

788 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 257-6300
cul.org

Creating Central Ohio Futures (CCOHF)

Provides workforce readiness training. They work closely with program graduates to help with job placement, benefits, safe working conditions, and retiring with dignity. Their Building Futures program is a 12-week program preparing participants for careers in construction trades (future electricians, HVAC, plumbers, iron workers, etc). The Driving Futures program provides soft skills training, help with obstacles to employment such as childcare and expunging criminal records, a free pathway to earn a CDL driving license, and job placement assistance. Shaping Futures offers career and soft skill development, an introduction to the skilled trades, and connection to union trade partners. Apply online.
4150 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213
(380) 220-1012
ccohf.org

Franklin County Reentry Advisory Board (FC-RAB)

Resource website to help those transitioning from correctional and rehabilitative institutions back into the community. Resources include document/identification assistance, job training and postings, public assistance benefits, mental health, food, clothing, housing/shelter and more.
373 South High Street, 25th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-5577
FC-RAB Website: reentry.franklincountyohio.gov
Re-entry Services Website: drc.ohio.gov/systems-and-services/2-reentry-services/reentry-services
Printable Quick Guide: Re-Entry Quick Guide

Freedom a la Cart

Café and catering kitchen providing empowering survivors of sex trafficking in Central Ohio. Anyone can go online to view their Café Menu, place a Catering order, or purchase a gift card. Their programs include a 2 -year comprehensive workforce development program, CATCH Court Support for victims involved in the justice system, and affordable housing. The Butterfly Program is a peer-to-peer program for women healing from trauma and substance use disorder to work towards a GED or high school diploma, participate in counseling, receive assistance with paperwork, get record expungement, and other supports. They also offer community events, speaking engagements, and volunteer opportunities.
123 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 92-3252
freedomalacart.org

Honest Jobs

The nation’s largest fair-chance employment website, empowering justice-impacted individuals. Anyone with a criminal record can create a free account to search for and apply for jobs in your area. The website helps match you with employers and job postings that are most likely to hire you, so you can focus on jobs with the highest likelihood of success. Go online to create your account or to email the organization directly.
Main Website: honestjobs.com

Hot Chicken Takeover (HCT)

Provides supportive jobs to men and women who need a fair chance at work, whether it be homelessness, previous incarceration, or another barrier to employment. Some examples of support they provide include: flexible scheduling, professional development, counseling and their Matched Milestone Program for things like housing, education, transportation, and more. Visit the website for their menu and site locations.
hotchickentakeover.com/our-story/our-mission

IMPACT Community Action

Provides income-based case management services, emergency assistance services, financial services, computer literacy and workforce development programs. Most of the programs are for Franklin County residents living at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Visit the website or call for more information.

  • Emergency Assistance Services: Financial assistance for household items, car repairs, burial support, rent/mortgage, transportation, water and energy (HEAP) assistance, food giveaways during the summer.
  • Empowerment Services: Computer classes, financial services, re-entry program, ages 14-24 not enrolled in school and are not employed or are aging out of foster care (AMP: Achieve More & Prosper program), workforce development/employment, vocational training and certification, and Smart Tax Prep.
  • Energy Assistance Services: Free home repairs through their Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and energy efficient lighting and refrigerator/freezer replacement through their AEP Program

Southside: 711 Southwood Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43207
Westside: 4129 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228

  • General: (614) 252-2799
  • AMP (Achieve More & Prosper): (614) 233-2671
  • EMPOWERED Career Exploration: (614) 371-1245
  • Rental Assistance: (614) 964-2906
  • Home Energy Winter Crisis Program (HEAP): (614) 249-0019

impactca.org
AMP website: jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/amp

Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC)

Provides free civil legal assistance and guidance to low income residents and senior citizens of Columbus and Central Ohio. Legal Aid attorneys may be able to help you with the following types of cases or legal problems: consumer law, family law, housing, public benefits, reentry, seniors, tax law, veterans, and education. Their website also has a page of Resources with easy to read information on these topics.

  • Columbus Office: serves Franklin and Madison county
    1108 City Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
    Intake: (614) 241-2001
    General Inquiries: (614) 224-8374 or (877) 224-8374
  • Marion Office: serves Delaware, Marion, Morrow and Union county
    150 Oak Street, Marion, Ohio 43302
    (740) 383-2161 or (888) 301-2411

columbuslegalaid.org

MCS-TOUCH (Metropolitan Community Services Teaching Opportunity Unity by Connecting Hearts)

This program is for low income youth, ages 16 through 24, who have dropped out of school or have graduated high school and need guidance on what direction to head in, such as military, college, trade school, workforce, etc. The program offers workforce development and educational services, as well as education support and career preparation for high school juniors and seniors. TOUCH also helping ex-offenders gain, through reentry services, the skills and confidence needed to obtain workforce and educational opportunities, participants may also receive access to housing and clothing assistance.
4040 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213
(614) 338-8733
mcstouch.org

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC) Reentry Resource Center

Agency providing information to reduce recidivism. Find information on visitation, reentry services, and victim services.
4545 Fisher Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228
(614) 387-0588
drc.ohio.gov/reentry

Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS)

Is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10 to 21. DYS is organized into several divisions that perform or support agency functions including legal services, community engagement and reentry, resources for families and more.
Central Office: 4545 Fisher Road, Suite D, Columbus, Ohio 43228
(614) 466-4314
dys.ohio.gov
Relink Resource Guide: relink.org

Opportunity Port

Started by Columbus City Council as an initiative aimed at expanding employment and housing opportunities for residents of Columbus and Franklin County by sealing their criminal records. Opportunity Port does not provide legal advice but helps former offenders seal their record. Visit their website for more information and to contact the organization.
opportunityport.org

People Like Me

Program: Community-based organization offering behavioral health and prevention services to support youth, families, and communities. They offer counseling, mentoring, re-entry case management, and more.
Eligibility: All ages, primarily youth ages 8-21 in Franklin and Delaware counties.
Cost: Some services are free. They accept Medicaid for counseling services.
Referral: Contact the organization to get started.
175 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 344-5018
peoplelikemeinc.org

Think Make Live Youth

Empowers youth in Columbus through equity and justice, bridge building, empowerment, belonging and fun. Programs include Guns DOWN group for ages 13-24 to heal from trauma and prevent violence, Unleashing Potential for ages 18-24 navigating the criminal justice system, and Summer Workforce for ages 14-24 to gain paid work and community service opportunities. Call for details.
(614) 323-9297
tmlyouth.org

Volunteers of America (VOA)

Provides supportive services for veterans, families, and individuals. Shop their thrift stores to support their programs and find low-cost clothing and home goods. Services vary based on location and include employment, housing, and wrap-around services for veterans; clinical treatment programs for ex-offenders, emergency housing for men in Columbus, and mental health treatment. They host Operation Backpack to help provide school supplies for families each fall. The monthly Auto Auction is an opportunity to purchase a donated vehicle to benefit their social service programs.

  • Columbus:
    624 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
    Veterans Resource Center: (614) 849-0145
    Family Services: (614) 251-7610
  • Cincinnati:
    Veterans Resource Center/Housing & Supportive Services: 7938 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
    (513) 322-5170
    Residential Reentry Program: 115 West McMicken Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
    (513) 639-3743
  • Cleveland:
    Veterans Resource Center: 775 East 152 Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44110
    (216) 541-9000
    Homeless & Mental Health Residential: 1563 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
    (216) 485-2525
  • Mansfield:
    921 North Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903
    Men’s Residential Reentry Program: (419) 524-5013
    Women’s Residential Reentry Program: (419) 632-6840
  • Dayton:
    Veterans Affairs/Resource Center: 4100 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45428
    (937) 253-7042
    Residential Reentry Program: 1931 South Gettysburg Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45417
    (937) 262-8876

Auto Auction Website: voaohioautoauction.org
Main Website: voaohin.org/central-ohio

YMCA of Central Ohio

Serves: Single Adults & Families, Youth & Teens
Hosts programs for men, women and children of all ages covering health and fitness, swimming, age-specific activities, childcare, summer camps, juvenile justice, housing, and more.

  • YMCA Stable Families Service coordination Program: Families with children (from Pre-K to 12th grade) who live in Franklin County have access to a service coordinator who can help with household income, maintaining safe and stable housing, and academic achievement of school-aged children.
    (614) 219-9895
  • Juvenile Justice: Provides a structured and supervised environment for 6th to 12th grade students as an alternative to being suspended from school. Students must be referred by their school district.
    (614) 578-7568
  • Early Childhood/Childcare: Provides free childcare while parents use Y facilities, summer programs, early learning centers, preschool, Head Start, and more.
    (614) 689-2096
  • Housing: Provides housing stability services for adults facing homelessness in Columbus, Ohio.
    (614) 705-9151
  • Early Childhood Resource Network Plus (ECRN+): Programming for infants and children with special needs, apply online for an adaptive equipment loan.
  • Y Cares: Infant mortality reduction program for families expecting or with a baby under the age of 1, provides free pregnancy testing, diapers, formula, home-visiting, parent support groups, and counseling.
    (614) 689-2080

Administrative Office: 1907 Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 389-4409
YMCA Locations & Contact Info: ymcacolumbus.org/locations
YMCA Columbus Website: ymcacolumbus.org



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