GOODWILL INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL INDIANA, INC.

Young Leaders Initiative

Goodwill Young Leaders are young professionals 25-49 years of age who serve as mentors, tutors and facilitators in Goodwill's educational and employment services and help raise community awareness about Goodwill. All activities are structured to benefit the youth and adults served by Goodwill and to strengthen the professional experience and exposure of the Young Leader.

Since 2005, more than 60 Indianapolis young professionals have participated in the Goodwill Young Leaders initiative. Activities are scheduled on an individual or small group basis; educational and networking opportunities are offered throughout the year in conjunction with some volunteer opportunities. In 2008, the Young Leaders will be running a clothing drive to benefit students at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School.

All activities bring together Goodwill's mission of helping people find jobs and Young Leaders' purpose of improving professional skills and helping others.

Young Leaders participate in mutually beneficial activities in three of Goodwill's divisions:

• Indianapolis Metropolitan High School

  The Indianapolis Met is a public charter high school serving 300 students in grades 9-12 through individualized learning plans and internship experiences. Young Leaders provide job shadowing opportunities, host mock interviews over the phone and in person, review résumés and give short presentations to groups of students.
  

• Goodwill Youth Learning Center

  The Goodwill Youth Learning Center helps youth ages 16-21 who did not finish school secure assistance finding and keeping a job. Youth who are still in school may receive tutoring and job search assistance. Young Leaders host bi-monthly mock interviews, provide job preparedness workshops, and mentor students on a regular basis.

   

• Commercial Services

  Goodwill's Commercial Services provides employment for individuals with disabilities and others who have limited vocational opportunities. Young Leaders provide monthly workshops addressing life-skills and job-seeking topics. Young Leaders also assist with a summer picnic celebration and holiday party.

   

Project Collect and Connect clothing drive
hosted by Goodwill Young Leaders to benefit the Indianapolis Met
More information to follow.

For more information or to join the Goodwill Young Leaders contact:

Jennifer Danic
Goodwill Industries Foundation
jdanic@goodwillindy.org
(317) 524-4328