Category 3: Combined One-on-One and Group Mentoring, OJJDP-2013-3438 to provide mentoring for youth in high risk situations with enhanced supports for mentors and parents

Goodwill Industries International (GII), a national organization with 158 affiliates in 50 states and the District of Columbia, proposes to implement GoodGuides, a national mentoring program, with 47 Goodwill organizations in 38 states. The purpose is to engage youth in structured supportive relationships with trusted mentors in individual, group or peer mentoring. The goal is to build their career navigation skills while supporting school completion, preparation for post-secondary education and productive work. The model builds on the positive youth development research and family financial stability approaches. The target population are youth (ages 12 to 17) 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, disabilities, family violence, history of delinquency or other challenges like a parent in the military.

GII will enhance the core GoodGuides mentoring model with additional training and mentor support, advocacy/teaching roles for mentors, expanded parent engagement and more structured activities. GII will accomplish this through training, technical assistance and coaching with all 47 sub-grantees. One of the key tools the organization will use is the GoodProspects website. This is a career exploration and social media site offering online support and resources for mentors, parents and local GoodGuides staff.

CA/NCF