Goodwill’s Youth with Disabilities Program Receives City of Phoenix Recognition for Excellence

The latter part of 2009 marked a time of great progress for Goodwill’s youth programs.

During that period, nine youth participants ranging in age from 18-24 were certified as green specialists after undergoing Certified Green Specialist Certification Training and Testing. As a result, the youths are positioned to be the consultants, advisors, officers and/or technicians in a green industry that will have an abundance of jobs for years to come.

In addition, Goodwill of Central Arizona forged a partnership with the Maricopa County's Juvenile Public Defender's Office to help youth participants get their records expunged, sealed and or set aside so they will not face the roadblocks that materialize once potential employers found out that they committed criminal offenses in the past.

More recently, we learned that Goodwill’s Youth with Disabilities program was recognized in November by the City of Phoenix for its accomplishments. Program staff members were recognized for this achievement with an Excellence Award certificate for Exceeding All Program Measures for the Fourth Quarter 2009 signed by the Mayor of Phoenix and presented at the Full Board meeting of the Phoenix Workforce Connection.

According to Germaine Abraham-Leveen, Program Coordinator, Phoenix Workforce Connections conducted a review in April-June 2009 of the Goodwill’s Youth with Disabilities performance. The review involved 170 individuals ranging in age from 14-21. Goodwill Youth with Disabilities program staff members provided them with services such as basic employment skills training, career development and education skills such as reading, math, language and writing over the course of 12 months (or more).

The review measured the following categories:

• Employment Retention Rate: Percentage of youth participants who remained employed for at least nine months after they exited the Youth with Disabilities program.
• Credential Rate: Percentage of youth participants who received an industry-related credential or certification after they exited the Youth with Disabilities program.
• Earnings Gain: Percentage of youth participants who experienced an earnings gain of $3,900 in their jobs after they exited the Youth with Disabilities program. On average, each Goodwill participant realized an earnings gain of $6,193 – well over the minimum.
• Skill Attainment: Number of participants who developed a new skill – work readiness, occupational training, education during their time in the Youth with Disabilities program.

The results showed that Goodwill exceeded all measures which is indicative of the supportive environment that all of our Workforce Development professionals provide at no cost to the community.

“It feels great to be recognized for doing what I love to do – helping to motivate youth to achieve their goals,” said Julie Langanke, Career Advisor. “It’s rewarding to be part of such a great team.”

Pictured above: Germaine Abraham-Leveen, Program Coordinator, and Julie Langanke, Career Advisor.