FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 3, 2025
Media Contacts: Jose Rodriguez, Columbus City Council,
(614) 270-9121
Andrew Campbell, Aspyr, (614) 559-5068
The program will uplift 500 Columbus residents into secure stable, wealth-buildingcareers by expanding existing, successful workforce development programs
[COLUMBUS, Ohio] — CAREER 500 (Columbus Access to Resources for ExpandingEmployment Readiness) is a transformational partnership between Council PresidentPro Tempore Rob Dorans and Aspyr to increase the enrolment of existing workforcedevelopment programs and provide additional wrap-around services for enrollees.
With local job growth expected to be twice that of other Midwest cities, this programwill allow residents to gain the skills they need to succeed in our City’s growingeconomy. The seven programs selected were awarded up to $350,000 to recruit,serve, and graduate 500 or more Columbus residents over the next two years.
“CAREER 500 is not about just helping a person get a job, any job. This program isdesigned to connect residents with careers with good wages, quality health carebenefits, and retirement plans,” said President Pro Tem Dorans. “Each program isalready running successful workforce development programs that provide trainingand wraparound support. This funding will help them expand opportunities for evenmore neighbors.”
The grant recipients for CAREER 500 are as follow:
Goodwill Columbus – $350,000
National Center for Urban Solutions Columbus – $320,000
Jewish Family Services – $300,000
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services – $280,000
Youth Over Us – $200,000
Franklinton Rising – $200,000
Riverview International – $150,000
“Today, we take a bold step toward closing the gap between opportunity and accessin Columbus,” said Aspyr CEO Lisa Patt McDaniel. “Through the CAREER 500initiative, we are leveraging the City’s investment of $1.8 million to empower ourworkforce, support our local organizations, and connect 500 residents to meaningfulcareers. This is more than just funding—it’s a commitment to building a stronger,more inclusive economy where every Columbus resident has the chance to thrive.”
As programs execute this grant program, researchers from the Ohio State Universitywill be evaluating each program’s outcomes and best practices. This research willserve the city and our workforce partners in and out of CAREER 500 to make datainformed decisions to better serve residents.
ABOUT GOODWILL COLUMBUS
Goodwill Columbus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served the Central Ohio community for over 85 years. With more than 1,200 employees, Goodwill Columbus is one of the region’s largest job providers employing individuals with diverse backgrounds. Goodwill Columbus has 12 retail stores, a last chance outlet, an e-commerce facility, 10 attended donation centers, 5 I/DD service locations, and free job training services at The South Front Street Job Training Center, The Jerry Hammond Center, The Reeb Center, and 14 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. The organization is a proud member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of over 150 community-based organizations throughout the United States and Canada that sell donated goods to create job opportunities and training in local communities.