March 2025 Update – All Counties

Students will take the Future Plans Career assessment to identify their strengths, interests, personality, and work values, then explore suitable careers. Each student will meet with a career coach to discuss results and potential career paths, aiming to develop a career plan.

HealthCorps Healthy Communities Class at Peebles High School – Mrs. Williams’ class successfully completed February’s Healthy Relationships curriculum, creating interactive projects and morning affirmations. In March, students kicked off Nutrition 101 with a hands-on activity—preparing overnight peanut butter and chocolate oats, which inspired many to recreate the recipe at home. Next, they will launch Café Olé, a student-run infused water and tea initiative. 

2025 GRIT Conference Honors Local Graduate – Mackenzie, a 2024 OVSD graduate, was recognized at the 2025 GRIT Conference for her impact on the community. Once struggling with truancy and uncertainty, she turned her life around through the Future Plans assessment, summer programming, and by earning a phlebotomy certification. Now employed in a hospital, she continues to thrive and inspire others. 

Fashion with Purpose – Empowerment Through Style – A local boutique partnered with GRIT to host the first annual Fashion with Purpose Fashion Show, aiming to boost confidence and empowerment among young women in the county. 

Hocking College and Tri-County Career Center will be offering two courses with housing options this summer under the GRIT program at no cost to students in July. The courses are HVAC and Flooring.

Assessments and coaching continue in Barnesville and Union Local Schools.

Belmont College was selected (as a first-time applicant!) as a GRIT summer program site, where offerings include drone operator and welding.

Bridgeport Schools held a series of public meetings to gather input on “The Bridge,” an addition to the schools’ campus that will include a clinic for the public, workforce development, and gym facilities overseen by a trainer.

Union Local is likewise working on a community health and wellness center.

GRIT recently attended the East Central Ohio ESC’s superintendents’ meeting to present the GRIT Project and summer programming.

Ashlie Webster attended the Brown County Business Advisory Council’s year-end meeting to strengthen school-business partnerships.

GRIT members celebrated Decatur Work Center’s grant award from T-Mobile.

Fayetteville High School launched a HealthCorps pilot program in partnership with GRIT.

Eastern Local Schools implemented the Future Plans assessment for students.

Ashlie Webster participated in speed mentoring at Goshen High School, connecting students with industry professionals through roundtable discussions.

Goshen High School introduced a HealthCorps pilot program in collaboration with GRIT.

GRIT received the Honor Roll Award from the Ohio School Board Association at the Goshen Business Advisory Meeting.

On March 12, 2025, the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative Meeting was held, discussing the business directory for the county as well as schools. The meeting broke into three groups, focusing on Barriers to Work, Education and Training, and School and Community Connections.

Clinton County will hold its annual career fair on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the local fairgrounds, where Future Plans will be present.

East Liverpool High School students in the Interactive Media Career Tech program provided video and photography support for GRIT Days of Learning.

The county Business Advisory Council (BAC) established a student advisory board representing all 11 schools, ensuring student voices guide GRIT initiatives.

A new partnership with Kent State University’s Rising Scholars program will provide additional post-graduation opportunities for students.

Miami Trace Schools were onboarded as the first school in Fayette County recognized as a like-Appalachia County. The school has successfully been working on assessing students and transitioning into coaching.

New Mental Health Facility to Create 35 Jobs – Gallia County Commissioners and Hopewell Health Centers announced a multi-unit mental and behavioral health facility, pending Medicaid certification, that will create 35 new jobs.

County-Wide Tax Abatement Program – Gallia County launched a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) tax abatement program, providing 15-year, 100% tax abatements for business development.

Gallia Academy High School Wellness Center – Construction has begun on a 6,000-square-foot wellness center at Gallia Academy High School, set to be completed by October 2025.

Coaching is underway in Meadowbrook High School, and the career navigator has identified students who may benefit from summer programming. A successful data meeting was completed with administration.

GRIT has been active in establishing and re-establishing connections with Ohio Means Jobs and economic development entities in the county.

GRIT also attended the STEM Collaborative meeting in Cambridge, which provided an opportunity to supplement STEM curriculum under development in Bellaire Middle School, Belmont County.

Harrison Hills School District has an active Business Advisory Council, and GRIT has been involved in recent meetings to network with businesses and other partners.

The Harrison County Adult Probation division is very interested in using the GRIT assessment and coaching with individuals within their system.

GRIT has met with Harrison County commissioners through Workforce Area 16 meetings.

The Transition Youth Expo was held at Southern State Community College on March 7, 2025, hosted by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the Region 14 Transition Council. This was the 9th year of the event, with 18 different high schools invited to workshops on Work Skills, Leadership, and Job Seeking.

Hillsboro High School will host another Senior Showcase where Future Plans will be present to speak with seniors about available opportunities.

Whiteoak High School Superintendent Jason Isles received his GRIT Difference Maker Award on March 11, 2025.

The Highland/Adams County BAC met on February 24, 2025, discussing ways to connect workforce and schools.

The Jackson County Grassroots Collaborative will meet on March 26 to discuss workforce development and school-community connections.

Ohio Means Jobs Jackson is using GRIT funding to support CDL training.

The McArthur Business Professional Women’s group and the Lions Club are offering scholarships to students in Vinton and Wellston.

Edison Local hosted a BAC meeting, highlighting Future Plans and GRIT initiatives.

A partnership with Trinity School of Nursing will provide cost-free RN training for students interested in healthcare careers.

Community members have been holding meetings along with outside agencies to work on plans to build a community center to serve individuals in the area and help break down barriers the community faces.

Rio Grande College of Meigs County Pomeroy will be providing GRIT summer programs for students in the area.

All four Monroe County schools completed Future Plans assessments; coaching sessions are ongoing.

Planning is underway for the Future Forward Expo at Swiss Hills on April 3, showcasing colleges, careers, and hiring companies.

GRIT is collaborating with JFS for the Spring Family Fest, featuring career activities and summer program information.

Recruitment for summer programs is ongoing at Morgan High School.

The Straker Charitable Foundation awarded over $2 million to local projects.

Ohio University Zanesville (OUZ) celebrated a new nursing facility expansion.

The “Ready to Rent” program, supported by CCMEP and behavioral health organizations, helps young renters gain housing stability.

Planning for the College & Career Expo on May 5 is underway, with participation from surrounding counties.

The Noble County Wellness Coalition is organizing mental health awareness and sober events.

GRIT will present summer programs at the BAC meeting on March 21.

New Lexington High School received $16.4 million to renovate and expand its Workforce Development Center and health clinic.

Tecumseh Theater secured $1.2 million for renovations into a community cultural center.

Perry County JFS and Perry Children Services merged to enhance resource-sharing and services.

Chillicothe High School recently assessed its sophomore class and is now in the process of scheduling coaching sessions.

Adena High School – Dan Leffingwell and a GRIT representative will visit on Friday, March 21, to follow up with students who previously completed assessments. They will also connect the school’s guidance counselor with Yvonne to schedule coaching sessions. Dan will speak to students about science and the STEM program.

Portsmouth West High School will be doing mock interviews for their GRIT class participants at the end of March. This will help students use their skills they have learned in the classroom to bring to a job interview.

A group of Future Plans employees visited the 14th Street Community Center and worked with a group of kids on workforce development through VR headsets, body language for interviews, resume building, career discussions, and career Bingo.

Valley has been the first county school to participate in HealthCorps. They have completed their first module, “Healthy Relationships,” and are moving into “Nutrition 101.” The students have chosen their Health Promoting Event and identified their project leaders.

GRIT recently presented at East Central Ohio ESC’s superintendents’ meeting in Tuscarawas County on the GRIT project and summer programming.