GoodGuides National mentoring program in 57 communities and 38 states across the country, focused on serving youth at greatest risk for juvenile justice involvement.

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act'). Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention made awards to programs that have a national scope and national impact on combating juvenile delinquency, reducing the victimization of children, and improving the juvenile justice system through mentoring activities. This program furthers the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002.

Goodwill Industries International proposes to implement GoodGuides, a national mentoring program, in 57 Goodwill territories in 38 states. The goal is to help youth build career plans and skills, prepare for school completion, post-secondary training, and productive work by providing them with structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors. The targeted youth (ages 12 - 17) are at-risk for juvenile delinquency. They are young people least likely to have trusting relationships with adults due to risk factors such as school failure, prior delinquency, family violence, and other disadvantages. The program will provide career exploration and skill development to offer youth a pathway out of poverty and crime via family strengthening and positive youth development approaches.

Goodwill plans to enhance and expand partnerships with organizations and faith communities to build the network of support for youth and their families. The organization believes the impact of the project will be 90% of youth will NOT offend or re-offend, and 85% will achieve one or more of their desired goals (improved attendance, school behavior, job skills, career choice, etc.).

This project achieves the Recovery Act objective of promoting economic recovery by preserving or creating jobs. For every $118,377 approximately 217 jobs will be created or retained over a two year period. CA/NCF