A Cincinnati nonprofit that partners with Princeton City Schools has opened a new Over-the-Rhine office and hired a dedicated career coach for students in Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale and Woodlawn.

LEAD Training, which delivers career readiness and life-skills programs to students in grades K-12, moved into a 2,222-square-foot space at 1432 Vine St. in Over-the-Rhine, according to a Princeton City Schools announcement. The nonprofit leases the second-floor office from Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC).

For the 2026-27 school year, LEAD Training expects to serve roughly 7,000 students across 28 schools, according to the organization's LinkedIn page. That's more than double the 3,000 students it reached in 2025.

Princeton's own coach

Jarissa Garcia, a bilingual professional with a background in engineering, communications and global management, joined LEAD Training as the dedicated Princeton City Schools Career Coach. Garcia helps students set career goals and prepare for next steps after graduation, the organization said on LinkedIn.

Riley O'Grady, a former teacher who founded LEAD Training in 2018, said the new office keeps the nonprofit close to the communities it serves.

"Founding LEAD was driven by what I saw firsthand as an educator and researcher: young people need more support navigating life beyond the classroom," O'Grady said. "… Our new office strengthens our connection to the students, schools, and communities we serve every day."

O'Grady launched the organization after a student's suicide attempt revealed gaps in life-skills and career-readiness support for young people.

$300,000 in new grants

LEAD Training received $300,000 in grant funding for the 2026-27 school year: $250,000 from the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to grow its Medical Pathways Partnership, and $50,000 from PNC Charitable Trust to launch Career Quest, which provides individualized career coaching.

The nonprofit runs four programs: High School Workforce Initiative, Career Quest & Career Services, Pre-Apprenticeships & Internships, and Future Leaders. It primarily serves juniors and seniors, connecting them with apprenticeships and local employers while addressing barriers such as transportation, finances and mental health.

During the 2024-25 school year, 94% of LEAD students showed growth in social-emotional learning skills, and 93% of CareerQuest seniors graduated with a clear career plan, according to the organization's website.

What's next

The Vine Street office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will host periodic gatherings with students, parents, school partners and employer partners as the 2026-27 school year begins.