Goodwill® Launches GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program

January 10, 2010, Press Release

JOHNSTOWN, PA, January 10, 2010—Goodwill Industries® of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc. is proud to launch a new program in Cambria, Bedford, and Blair counties that’s designed to assist youth in overcoming disadvantages and avoiding delinquency. The effort is part of a national mentoring program known as Goodwill® GoodGuides, which helps teens finish school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults.

“Goodwill has a long history of helping people find work,” said Phyllis J. Bandstra, Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, President & CEO. “A crucial part of that history is making sure that families are strong. Goodwill GoodGuides can help youth who are at risk to get on the right path, away from trouble and toward a better future. That’s good for everyone involved.”

The Goodwill GoodGuides program is made possible through a two-year grant award to Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies The donation is part of a grant award to Goodwill Industries International from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and dispersed to 56 independent Goodwill agencies in 38 states including 4 in Pennsylvania.

The overall goal of Goodwill GoodGuides is to help youth to build career plans and skills, and prepare for school completion, post-secondary training, and productive work by providing them with structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors. It targets youth between the ages of 12–17 who are at risk for dropping out of school, facing legal troubles, or are at risk for delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability, drug or alcohol dependence, or gang membership.

“With GoodGuides, we will be able to offer expanded mentoring services to the youth of our community,” added Bandstra. “Goodwill will recruit, train, and support volunteer mentors to engage youth in promoting their career development and life skills.”

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or know of a youth who would benefit from this program, please call (814) 536-3536, ext. 304.

Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley (GICV), Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1962 to empower individuals and families with employment barriers to achieve their fullest potential in the community through work services. Headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, GICV serves individuals with disabilities and disadvantages, dislocated workers, youth, and other job seekers throughout south central Pennsylvania in the counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset and a portion of Westmoreland by providing education and career services as well as job placement and postemployment supports. GICV is a community-based member organization of Goodwill Industries International, a 179-member network in the U.S., Canada, and 13 other countries. Learn more at www.gicv.org.
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