Welcome to Opportunities for Individual Change (OIC) of Clark County
"Helping Others Help Themselves"
Believe in Yourself...
Believe you can do anything anyone else can do, but you must Believe it.
You’re like a balloon...
It’s Not Your Color that makes you Rise...but what you have Inside of You.
-Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, Founder of OIC
Our Mission
OIC of Clark County provides services designed to reduce poverty and to promote employment and education.
Our Vision
Providing hope, opportunities and skills for a better life.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) & Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LI-HWAP):
HEAP, PIPP and Water application packet
If you need assistance with your heating source and water bill, applications are located at:
600 W. Main St., (then HEAP drive-thru)
Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The drive-thru is closed weekends and holidays. (After hours drop box is located on the HEAP building.)
LI-HWAP PSA: The water program started October 27, 2021 and has been extended to go through September 30, 2023 or until funds run out.
If you have questions on the status of your HEAP, PIPP or Water application, you can email: [email protected]
If you have dropped off your HEAP, PIPP or Water paperwork, please call 937-342-3186 to schedule you appointment.
American Rescue Plan Home Relief Grant - (ARPHRG)
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) provides for necessary expenditures for households who have one or more individuals within the household that have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly, or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic.
If so, you may qualify for rent, rental arrears, utility/home energy costs, and utility/home energy cost arrears.
ARPHRG Application Packet
Vocational Training Options
Vocational Training Classes-Could this be you???
Looking for a career that pays well and offers opportunities for growth and advancement?
Changes in technology and consumer behavior continue to increase demand for jobs in supply chain management, warehouse distribution and delivery.
With just 6 weeks training, you can earn credentials to help you start a career in the industry of supply chain logistics.
Call: 937-631-1868 or 937-244-2849 for information
OIC is partnering with several businesses in the area for employment opportunities!
Need Additional Information or Help?
Take this brief survey to help us understand your needs and an OIC representative will contact you: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q5GDRNP
COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT (CSBG)
OIC of Clark County, Inc. has prepared its 2022-2023 Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) plan for Clark County.
The plan will be available for review by appointment at OIC of Clark County’s main office located at 10 S. Yellow Springs Street in Springfield, Ohio.
Please call 937-323-6461 to schedule an appointment to review the plan.
Carol Lee Scott
April 03, 1932 - May 20, 2022
From Mike Calabrese, Executive Director, OIC of Clark County
Carol was a great leader and the founder of our local OIC. As her obituary states: Her most important role was helping individuals seeking self-sufficiency by promoting and providing job-training opportunities to assist families in getting off welfare. In 1970 she founded the Clark County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC). She was elected to the National OIC Board of Directors, a volunteer position she held for 20 years.
Carol broke down many barriers as an African American and a women. She was an entrepreneur and served on numerous Boards as Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. She also received numerous awards for her service to the community.
The family requests for those wishing to honor her life of service, to please consider contributing to one or more of the following organizations: OIC of Clark Co., The Southern Poverty Law Center, The Piney Woods School or the Alzheimer's Association.
Here is the link to her Obituary: https://www.diehl-whittaker.com/obituaries/Carol-Lee-Scott?obId=24904750#/celebrationWall
History of OIC of Clark County
OIC of Clark County (OIC) is a private, not-for-profit, community based organization with 501(c) 3 status. OIC of Clark County has been in business in the Springfield/ Clark County Community for nearly fifty (50) years. OIC was established locally in 1971 and is an affiliate of the National OIC’s of America which was founded by Reverend Leon H. Sullivan in Philadelphia in 1964.
For the past 29 years, OIC has been the designated Community Action Agency (CAA) for Clark County. CAA's are designated by the State of Ohio, Development Services Agency, Office of Community Assistance and are responsible for addressing the needs of the economically disadvantaged youth and adult populations in their community.
OIC's goal is to assist the disadvantaged residents of Clark County in transitioning from dependence to self-reliance by providing them with the hope, opportunities, and skills for a better life. Throughout its history, OIC has served as a beacon of hope by providing counseling, youth programing, vocational training, referral services, job placement assistance and emergency utility services to assist low-income Clark County residents in becoming self-sufficient.
OIC also seeks to proactively address the vicious cycles of poverty through our alternative high school by partnering with local schools and government agencies. Our collaborative efforts provide youth career awareness and readiness.
As part of our new services, OIC is assisting families in Springfield and Clark County that have been impacted by COVID-19 with Rent, Mortgage, Property Tax and Utility assistance. OIC is also providing Vocational Training to assist those that have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through all of its programs and services, OIC serves over 5,000 low-income, disadvantaged Clark County residents annually assisting them in becoming more self-sufficient through personal, academic, vocational and occupational skill development.
POVERTY: The Challenge, The Solution
THE CHALLENGE: The U.S. is one of the richest countries in the world, yet 43.1 million Americans live in poverty and 19.4 million live in "deep" poverty, which often persists across generations. Family members may remain unemployed or "stuck" in low wage jobs, lacking education and skills needed in an increasingly competitive job market.
For information on the State of Poverty in Ohio, visit:
State of Poverty in Ohio 2020
State of Ohio 2020 Poverty Report pdf
For information on the impact of poverty visit:
The Impact of Poverty, Food Insecurity, and
Poor Nutrition on Health and Well-Being
To see the Poverty Lifecycle and Poverty Facts visit:
Poverty Lifecycle
THE SOLUTION: OIC provides quality education and training services. We offer high quality skill development opportunities that enable economically disadvantaged and unemployed people of all races and backgrounds to become productive, more fulfilled members of society.
Utility Assistance
Over 4,700 Individuals Helped Yearly
Alternative High School for Credit Deficient students - call 937-325-0694 for more information
- Monday - Friday08:00am - 05:00pm
- Saturday - SundayClosed