"Service Guild of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Holds Meeting and Features GoodGuides Manager"

Service Guild Meeting ““ February 24, 2011 (pictured left to right): Linda Eslick, Goodwill Service Guild, Tim Spoleti, Manager, Goodwill GoodGuides Program, Maureen Brabbs, Goodwill Service Guild The Service Guild of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries held its first general meeting of 2011 on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Woodlawn Corporate headquarters.   More than 30 members of the volunteer organization attended the meeting.   Tim Spoleti,  Youth Services Manager for  Goodwill’s GoodGuides youth mentoring program was the guest speaker.   During his discussion, Mr. Spoleti informed the group about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s newest service program.    The GoodGuides  youth mentoring program is a two-year program which is  funded by the US Department  of Justice that helps young people who are at risk for dropping out of school, who are facing legal trouble, and/or are at risk for delinquency.   The goal of the GoodGuides program is to help young persons in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area build career plans and skills; prepare them to finish high school or obtain post-secondary training; and help them gain productive work lives by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors.   During his  presentation with the Service Guild, Mr. Spoleti discussed with the Service Guild that the GoodGuides program, which is now in its second year, is always looking for mentors who are good listeners, encouraging and supportive, dependable and committed, and most especially people who  truly enjoy working with adolescents.   “We are seeking adults that are willing to make a one year commitment to transforming the future of an adolescent,” commented Spoleti.   “In the first year of our program, we’ve seen dramatic changes in the lives of the young people who have received mentoring.    They have stayed out of trouble, their academic performance has improved, and they are focused on their future,” said Spoleti.   For more information on the GoodGuides program, interested  individuals can contact Tim Spoleti at tspoleti@cincigoodwill.org  or at (513) 771-4800, ext. 6322. The Service Guild of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is a long-standing volunteer organization whose mission is to provide outreach and support for the organization through fundraising and community awareness.     Members of the Service Guild also help to run the “Treasure Island Gift Shop” inside the Tri-County retail store.