Goodwill has a long tradition of working with youth.
Every year we serve youth with career-oriented programs and support.
Goodwill’s Youth Employment Services (YES) program gives special-education students exposure to work situations in supportive, understanding environments. The program helps students take the first step toward making a smooth transition from high school to adulthood and the working world.
Goodwill’s YES students gain exposure to real work environments and skills through a variety of assigned jobs at either a Goodwill location or one of our community partners’ locations. In their job assignments, students perform the same duties that would be expected of permanent employees, under the guidance of an on-site supervisor and the direction of a Job Coach. Goodwill Program Managers tailor each job to the specific abilities of the individual student and account for any special needs.
YES allows students the opportunity to learn and practice key employment-related soft skills such as resume writing, filling out job applications and interviewing techniques along with the skills necessary to be successful in maintaining employment with problem-solving skills, coping skills and communication skills.
Primary outcomes are attendance at work, communicating effectively with other employees, following dress code, following directions, staying focused on tasks, conflict resolution, job safety, punctuality, problem-solving and coping skills.
Goodwill works with school administrators to follow a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to support their transition to adulthood and employment. Depending on work readiness, students may transition to pre-vocational services or day habilitation programming options.
To find out more information on Youth Employment Services, contact:
Jeff Johnson, Program Manager, Sioux City, IA
712-258-4511 or johnsonj@goodwillgreatplains.org.
Chris Eickholt, Program Manager, Sioux City, IA
712-258-4511 or eickholtc@goodwillgreatplains.org.
Goodwill works with the Project Skills program in South Dakota to provide our Goodwill stores as a training worksite for youth as they prepare for the transition from high school to adulthood and employment.
To find out more information on Project Skills, contact:
Chasity Colton, Program Manager, Sioux Falls, SD
605-357-6145 or coltonc@goodwillgreatplains.org
Jill Hinton, Program Manager, Rapid City, SD
605-341-3562 or hintonj@goodwillgreatplains.org
Shoe and Mitten Program
Each December, Goodwill provides thousands of elementary children in grades kindergarten through fifth with new shoes, socks, hats and mittens at our annual Shoe and Mitten Parties. Volunteers help us with these events, and we partner with individuals, businesses and organizations to support this heartwarming tradition.
Donate to Shoe and Mitten Program