Goodwill Industries International Good Guides Program

The National Mentoring Program was established to support national initiatives that support the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will assist in the development and maturity of community programs providing mentoring services to high-risk populations that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges of the targeted population, or other analogous situations identified by the community in need of mentoring services. This program is authorized by the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, Pub. L. 112-110.

Goodwill Industries International® (GII), a national organization with 158 affiliates in 48 states, will implement GoodGuides®, a national mentoring program in Goodwill organizations across the country. The goal is to help youth build career navigation skills while preparing for school completion, post-secondary education and training, and productive work by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted mentors. The targeted at-risk youth (ages 12 - 17) are young people least likely to have trusting relationships with adults due to risk factors such as school failure, disabilities, family violence, being in a single parent home, and other factors. The program will provide career exploration and skill development as a pathway out of poverty and crime via family strengthening and positive youth development approaches. Goodwill Industries International plans to recruit, train and support mentors, largely from underrepresented groups. GII will enhance and expand partnerships with organizations to build the network of support for youth and their families. Performance targets include: 80% of youth who remain in the program for more than a year will not offend or re-offend and 85% will achieve one or more social competence goals.

CA/NCF