Goodwill Summer Youth Busy Working in the Community!

Summer Youth Program team at TJ Maxx

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s very popular and newly expanded Summer Youth program is busily working in the community during its first summer session. With more than 50 students currently participating in the program, ultimately Goodwill will serve more than 100 students through the two summer sessions.   The program is designed to provide students with a variety of team building and vocational exploration experiences structured to help them gather information about the world of work.

Among the many employers that Goodwill has established summer work opportunities with are TJ Maxx, Marshalls, AMC Theater and Wilson Garden Center; all of whom have opened their doors and allowed the students to have a real work experience. Students are exploring various industries while learning about the   responsibilities of work. The program is made possible through our valued partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

Working at AMC Theaters

As part of the Summer Youth program, each student has the opportunity to learn work appropriate skills during the beginning of the program and then, actually participate in an interactive work simulated experience in the community on typical job sites. After their community job try-outs, each student reports back to their counselor through Goodwill partner agency, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, regarding their work experience and their job preferences.

This year’s Summer Youth Program participants will have the opportunity to experience a variety of different community worksites and will be transported and supported by Goodwill team members at all locations. A variety of work opportunities are explored including entertainment, landscaping, food service, day care, retail, warehousing and janitorial just to name a few. Worksites  are spread across the Greater Cincinnati community and offer the chance for students to fully become engaged in the different aspects that each employment opportunity presents. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to all of our wonderful employers for their support in providing these important work opportunities for the students.