Goodwill® Helps Teens Succeed

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Jan 06, 2011, 08:00 ET

Young People Need Your Help this National Mentoring Month

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- January is National Mentoring Month, and Goodwill Industries International is helping youth succeed by helping them overcome disadvantages and avoid delinquency through the Goodwill^® GoodGuides^® youth mentoring program. The effort is part of a national program that helps teens finish school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults.

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"Goodwill has a long history of helping people find work," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "A crucial part of that history is making sure that families are strong. GoodGuides can help keep youth who are at-risk get on the right path, away from trouble and toward a better future. That's good for everyone involved."

The GoodGuides program is made possible through a $19.1 million grant to Goodwill Industries International from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds are dispersed to 56 independent Goodwill agencies around the country.

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

"Through GoodGuides, we are offering expanded mentoring services to the youth of our community," said Gibbons. "Goodwill is recruiting, training and supporting volunteer mentors to engage youth in promoting their career development and life skills."

If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor or know of a youth who would benefit from this program, please visit http://www.goodwill.org/get-involved/volunteer/goodguides/ or call 1-800-741-0186.

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill operates more than 2,500 retail stores and the first and only nonprofit Internet auction site, shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International