Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries has opened a new walk-in Opportunity Center in Fairfield, offering job training, career coaching and support services to help individuals overcome employment barriers.
The center, located inside Goodwill’s retail store at 4605 Dixie Highway, is the second of its kind this year. A similar site opened in February at the organization’s Woodlawn headquarters.
Designed as a one-stop resource hub, the Fairfield facility provides resume help, interview prep, skills training and direct connections to local employers. It also offers personalized career guidance to help individuals identify paths, build skills and develop employment strategies.
OVGI created programming tailored for those facing challenges such as disabilities, limited work experience or educational gaps. As part of the launch, Goodwill announced a partnership with 4C for Children, a regional child care referral agency.
The collaboration will help families access financial aid and navigate Ohio’s early childhood education system, including Step Up to Quality standards.
“Collaborating with 4C for Children exemplifies our commitment to removing every possible barrier to employment,” said Mark Hiemstra, president and CEO of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries. “We recognize that childcare challenges are often the primary obstacle preventing individuals from pursuing career opportunities.”
Vanessa Freytag, president and CEO of 4C for Children, said the partnership “brings together both our agency’s strengths and expertise to help families meet all those needs and will best serve our entire community.”
Childcare navigation is now available at both the Fairfield and Woodlawn centers, with trained staff helping families identify options that fit their circumstances.
“Families cannot thrive if they are unable to secure adequate support in obtaining housing, employment and childcare,” Freytag said.
A long-term vision of support
The Fairfield center is part of Goodwill’s “Mission Possible: 5-Year Action Plan,” a pledge to invest more than $230 million in Greater Cincinnati through workforce development and community-based programs. The initiative builds on the organization’s focus on serving veterans, people with disabilities and others with employment barriers.
On-site specialists offer hands-on training, job placement and wraparound services, including referrals for housing and other needs.
Local leaders have voiced support for the new center, including Lee Ann Emmons, superintendent of the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“Ohio Valley Goodwill has been an invaluable partner in creating meaningful employment pathways for the individuals we serve,” said Emmons. “The new Fairfield Opportunity Center will expand access to critical job training and support services, helping more people with disabilities achieve economic independence.”
Goodwill plans to open additional Opportunity Centers in the region, with a Clermont County location launching July 15 and a West Side center expected in 2026.
As part of its statement, OVGI said the partnership with 4C for Children represents the first of “many strategic alliances designed to address complex challenges facing individuals seeking economic independence.”
“We want people to see us as a resource and an anchor,” said Gladys Ahovi, Goodwill’s VP of community impact and investment services. “Our goal is to become the go-to destination where job seekers and employers can connect, where barriers, like access to childcare, are removed.”
Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
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