Ohio Valley Goodwill opens first standalone Opportunity Center in Batavia

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries opened its first standalone Opportunity Center in Greater Cincinnati, bringing expanded services to Clermont County with a new hub for workforce development, disability support and a range of community programs.

Located at 4247 Grissom Drive in Batavia, the center isn’t tied to a retail store like the recently launched Fairfield site. Instead, it creates a one-stop destination where county residents can find the resources they need to land steady jobs and improve their quality of life.

Leaders said the center aims to better serve residents in the area, especially in Batavia, where nearly 21% of people live in poverty – well above the state and national averages of 13.2% and 12.4%, respectively.

“This new Opportunity Center demonstrates our unwavering commitment to bringing vital resources directly to rural communities,” Mark Hiemstra, president and CEO of Ohio Valley Goodwill, said Friday during a grand opening celebration.

“By establishing our first freestanding facility in Batavia, we’re creating a hub where individuals facing a variety of barriers to employment can access the customized support they need to achieve their goals.”

A mission rooted in opportunity

For more than a century, Ohio Valley Goodwill has worked to strengthen communities and empower people through the “power of work.” The nonprofit provides job training, disability services and community programs while advancing environmental sustainability in communities across parts of Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and the southeastern part of Indiana. 

OVG’s network of donation centers and retail stores diverts tens of millions of pounds of material from landfills each year, fueling programs that eliminate barriers to employment and opportunity.

Its new Batavia site reflects that mission in action by expanding on the nonprofit’s Work Adjustment Training program, which helps people with disabilities and other challenges develop employment skills in real-world settings. About 50 people participate in WAT monthly, including 20 who also receive services from the Southwest Ohio Developmental Center, one of Goodwill’s longstanding partners.

Through referrals and walk-ins, the center offers employment and housing support for veterans, people with disabilities and individuals with mental health needs. It also provides childcare assistance through a partnership with 4C for Children, allowing parents to pursue job training and employment opportunities.

“This Opportunity Center represents more than just a new location – it’s a testament to what we can achieve when we work collaboratively with our community partners,” said Gladys Ahovi, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s vice president of Good Communities, said Friday.

The grand opening was more than a ribbon-cutting. Designed as a family-friendly community gathering, the event welcomed residents to explore their new local resource. Beyond prize drawings and a community cookout, the open house gave visitors a chance to learn about available services and meet the staff.

“We’re not just expanding services in Batavia,” Ahovi said. “We’re investing in the community’s future by creating local jobs and building lasting partnerships that will benefit residents for years to come.”

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries