Building a Bridge for Youth to Careers: Corporate and Community Partnerships in Mentoring January 24, 2013 National Mentoring Summit Washington, DC

Presenters Michael Wood Goodwill Industries International (GII) Youth Services Program Manager Rebecca Headen GII Youth Services Program Senior Specialist Ashleigh Curtis GoodGuides ® Mentoring Program Manager, Oklahoma City, OK (GII’s GoodGuides Mentoring Program is funded by US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)

Objectives Identify different types of partnership benefits that strengthen mentoring programs; Discuss potential partners that address an array of mentoring program needs and the spectrum of partnership; Explore strategies to build and sustain partner relationships with corporate as well as community-based organizations as well as coalitions; Identify challenges to career-focused partnerships and strategies to leverage resources; Hear examples of partnerships with business and community-based organizations for exposure to careers and skills attainment and how they can be replicated in other communities.

What is “Partnership?” The definition and spectrum of partnering What mentoring programs bring to partnership Partnering to build, rather than compete over, community resources

Career Opportunity Needs of Youth Career awareness Job training Soft skills Experience / exposure Evaluation

Goodwill Youth Services and GoodGuides Mentoring Program: An Overview Michael Wood Goodwill Industries International (GII) Youth Services Program Manager

Youth Services Ages Positive Youth Development (E 3 ) Social Justice Evaluation S ervices O pportunities S upports Physical and psychological safety Appropriate structure Supportive relationships Opportunities to belong Positive social norms Support for efficacy and mattering Opportunities for skill-building Integration of family, school and community efforts Positive Youth Development Trauma Informed Care Sanctuary Model® Education Engagement Employment

Services – Opportunities – Supports Services Services in such areas as education, health, employment, and juvenile justice which exhibit: 1) relevant instruction and information; 2) challenging opportunities to express oneself, to contribute, to take on new roles, and be a part of the group; and 3) supportive adults and peers who provide respect, high standards and expectations, guidance and affirmation to young people. Done “to” or “for” youth Opportunities Chances for young people to learn how to act in the world around them, to explore, express, earn, belong, and influence. Opportunities give young people the chance to test ideas and behaviors, and to experiment with different roles. It is important to stress that young people, just like adults, learn best through active participation and that learning occurs in all types of settings and situations. Done “by” youth Supports Motivational, emotional and strategic supports to succeed in life. The supports can take many different forms, but they must be affirming, respectful, and ongoing. Supports are powerful when offered by a variety of people, such as parents and close relatives, community social networks, teachers, youth workers, employers, health providers, and peers who are involved in the lives of young people. Done “with” youth People, programs and institutions who work with youth are engaged in youth development if there is a strong evidence of the following practices: 1 1 Center for Youth Development and Policy, “What is Youth Development?” Academy for Educational Development, available at

EducationEmploymentEngagement Career Assessment/Planning Job ShadowingConnect to Community Serv. TutoringInternshipsVolunteerism College ToursLearn and EarnVirtual Support College AccessTrainingService Learning Dual EnrollmentCredentialingLeadership Development Post- SecondaryCertificationsMentoring Financial Stability Continuum of Goodwill S.O.S. for Youth: No Services offered for Youth. Education, or Employment, or Engagement. Education and Employment, or Education and Engagement, or Employment and Engagement. Education, and Employment, and Engagement.

Case Study: Oklahoma City GoodGuides Youth Training Program Ashleigh Curtis GII GoodGuides Mentoring Program Manager, Oklahoma City, OK

Partnering in Action Retail Training Program Oklahoma City Farmer’s Market Oklahoma City Summer School/ College Prep Springfield

Oklahoma City GoodGuides Youth Training Program: –Daily, curriculum-based class –Four hours hand-on training with job coaches –Daily de-brief session/ evaluation session –Program provided monitoring and coaching –Skills evaluation and development –Resume and interview experience –Local certificate

Oklahoma City GoodGuides From idea to implementation: Progress and roadblocks on the youth training program road Identifying the issues: career needs of OKC youth Creating a solution “Selling” the idea Program development and planning The pilot program

Oklahoma City GoodGuides Program success, expansion and growth Organizational support Accountability Measuring success Challenges Realizing benefits

Training and Technical Assistance in Partnership Creation and Sustainability Rebecca Headen GII Youth Services Program Senior Specialist

Partnership Engagement Model

Partnering Prioritization Fits with our Mission Has strong internal and external support Addresses an important community problem with 1 or more groups We have the resources to provide a quality program

Why partnerships work Internal team is fully educated about the program –Give your internal team elevator speeches Key vested partners are engaged –Figure out a good system for regular contact Program is showcased –Via marketing, online presence, offer press releases Partners communicate regularly and clearly –Anticipate and address challenges; celebrate successes

Community Partners Public/private/alternative schools Juvenile Detention Facilities Other youth-serving organizations Colleges/Universities Workforce Investment Board Corporate Partners Local industry SAT/ACT Prep companies Professionals (law, accounting, and IT firms) Goodwill Retail Restaurants/Markets/Food and Beverage Key Areas of Partnership

Discussion Revisit youth career needs in relation to partner needs How can your resources as well as partners be leveraged to enhance your program?

Questions

Michael Wood Goodwill Industries International (GII) Youth Services Program Manager Rebecca Headen GII Youth Services Program Senior Specialist Ashleigh Curtis GII GoodGuides Mentoring Program Manager, Oklahoma City, OK (GII’s GoodGuides Mentoring Program is funded by US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)

Contact Us: Michael Wood Goodwill Industries International (GII) Youth Services Program Manager Rebecca Headen GII Youth Services Program Senior Specialist Ashleigh Curtis GII GoodGuides Mentoring Program Manager, Oklahoma City, OK (GII’s GoodGuides Mentoring Program is funded by US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)