Community Services
More than 90% of the revenue Goodwill spends is channeled directly into a fully staffed and unique Vocational and Community Services program. Our trained professionals help the disadvantaged remove employment barriers such as welfare dependency, illiteracy, homelessness, language barriers, criminal history, lack of job skills and chronic unemployment. We also serve those with developmental, physical or emotional disabilities, or behavioral disorders. Our many programs and services are listed below. Please click here to request an Application for Services. If you would like more information or wish to speak to someone about any of these services, please call our Vocational Services Center at (407) 235-1500.
WORK ACTIVITY CENTER
The Work Activity Center is a cooperative program between Goodwill Industries and Orange County Public Schools' (OCPS) Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department. The program caters to the special educational needs of Orange County's disabled high school students ages 19-22, and includes a pre-vocational curriculum co-authored by Goodwill and OCPS, and taught by OCPS instructors on-site at Goodwill. The program fosters independent living through life skills training that includes learning how to cook, handle money, travel outside the home, shop for necessities, etc. In addition, students learn transferable job skills to enhance employment opportunities beyond graduation from the program.
PROJECT COMPASS
Project COMPASS is a comprehensive vocational program that points non-violent, youth offenders, ages 14 through 18, in the right direction. Most of the young adults in the program are referred to Goodwill Industries by the Juvenile Division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Referrals are also obtained through the Orange County Public Schools and through parental recommendations. In cooperation with Orange County Public Schools' Alternative Education Department, this program helps young adults achieve their academic or work-related goals so that they may become law-abiding citizens who contribute to the progress of our community. Through a holistic approach, including classroom instruction, job clubs, work experience and community involvement, participants develop employability skills, work behaviors and life skills, equipping them either for successful employment or readjustment to school.
DIRECT PLACEMENT SERVICES
Individuals with disabilities and vocationally disadvantaging conditions are provided placement assistance to gain long-term employment through career counseling, job skills training, job development, job analysis and matching, and short-term job coaching. The professional placement staff members act as liaisons between the employer and the participant and provide on-the-job adjustment assistance and training when necessary. They are also available for follow-up with participants and employers to ensure continued job success and satisfaction.
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Paid temporary work experience and intensive, goal-directed vocational counseling are provided specifically for people with disabilities. The program is designed to help people overcome immediate barriers to competitive employment so that participants may accelerate their timely movement to positions in business and industry.
The professional staff provides services in:
- Work Assessment
- Program Management
- Career Counseling
- Job Readiness Skills Development
- Role Modeling
- Personal Adjustment Training
- Social Adjustment Training
- Referral Services
HOMELESS SERVICES NETWORK EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Goodwill Industries provides a broad range of services for people who are living in homeless shelters, including vocational assessment, planning and counseling, placement services and long-term follow-along after placement. The program's objectives are to improve clients' employability skills and increase their income with the ultimate goal of equipping them with the skills to obtain and maintain long-term employment and make the transition to permanent housing.
VOCATIONAL EVALUATION
The strengths and work aptitudes of individuals are assessed, and viable vocational goals are formulated. Through the use of work samples and standardized tests, individuals are carefully evaluated under the direction of a certified vocational evaluator so that their vocational skills and aptitudes can be measured and successfully matched with the most appropriate work opportunity within the community. Evaluations can range from specific skill-testing to situational assessment and behavioral observation on the worksite to a comprehensive vocational evaluation accomplished over several days. Evaluation services are offered at Goodwill's Vocational Services Center in Orlando, and at several other locations throughout Central Florida.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY JOB CENTERS
Goodwill Industries currently provides the funding for six Self-Sufficiency Job Centers through the sales of donations in its retail stores. The centers are conveniently located in Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Volusia counties, and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The centers are designed to assist a melting pot of individuals, from the underemployed to the unemployed, find employment. No matter what the individual's circumstances are, Goodwill's Self- Sufficiency Job Centers are available at no cost to the participant. The concept revolves around three major components:
Job Club - Is an intensive program that delivers comprehensive interview skills training, job seeking and resume writing assistance. Graduates receive a professional resume and vouchers for interview apparel from local Goodwill stores. For more information, please call your local Goodwill Self-Sufficiency Job Center: Orlando (407) 872-0770, Seminole (407) 936-0469, Osceola (407) 847-0696, Brevard (321) 953-8188, Volusia (386) 258-8585, Lake (352) 326-8919.
Networking Center - Will provide you with the latest job leads, and have photocopy and fax equipment available to help you with your search. We also provide a "Hello Line" that substitutes for a home phone number, so even if you have no home telephone you may receive calls from prospective employers.
Community Resources Library - Provides an abundance of information on community services and organizations that can help you resolve issues in your life. We have the resources to help, so call your local job center today!
2009 - 2010 Goodwill Job Club Workshop Dates:
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Orange County (Orlando): |
Osceola County (Kissimmee):
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Seminole County (Sanford): |
Brevard County (Melbourne):
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Volusia County (Daytona Beach): Lake County (Leesburg): |
Brevard County (Rockledge): |
"I am so glad I attended the workshop . . . it made me feel better about myself and gave me the push I needed to go on."
"This workshop has set me on the path to overcome my fears to interact with people, and to be open to others. The instructor is a wonderful person and a great teacher . . ."
GOODWORKS PROGRAM & JOB CONNECTION
Through a partnership with Orange County Corrections, Goodwill's GoodWorks Program & Job Connection offer an innovative employment-centered program for soon-to-be-released inmates. The goal of the program is to reduce recidivism by providing services that will connect inmates with community jobs leading to economic stability and the re-kindling of self-esteem, both necessary ingredients for self-sufficiency. The Job Connection Center includes an array of employment-related services including a computer lab, career and labor market information, and a resource library. Each qualifying inmate has the opportunity to meet with a member of the Job Connection staff, who will conduct an assessment of the inmate's vocational assets and recommend appropriate vocational services. Prior to their release, inmates will have the opportunity to participate in a multi-day "Job Club” to hone their interview skills, polish their resumes, and to receive a large dose of encouragement and motivation to succeed from program staff.
B.E.S.T. COMPUTER & OFFICE SKILLS TRAINING
An open-entry, open-exit self-paced program available to persons in the community, B.E.S.T. is designed to provide clients with business and computer skills training in order to be competitive in today's office environment. Training subjects include business math, grammar, data entry, filing, organizational skills, telephone etiquette, receptionist skills, and hands-on training on Microsoft Office software programs. Upon course completion, successful graduates receive job placement assistance, including a tailored professional resume to help them obtain employment. The program is free to participants. For further information, please call (407) 235-1500.
GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program
GoodGuides connects students with caring, qualified mentors to encourage healthy behaviors, promote successful outcomes, and build stronger communities. Mentors meet with their mentee on a weekly basis to assist with homework, talk, listen and encourage the individual, play games, or other activities. The purpose of the program is to provide support and friendship to a young person to develop the confidence necessary in school through a tutoring or mentoring relationship. It also provides mentors the opportunity to make a difference in the life of an individual.
For more information on Goodwill's GoodGuides program, contact us at 407 235-1500.
Let Goodwill Help You with Your Outsourcing and Placement Needs.
For more information, call
(407) 235-1500.
- WORK ACTIVITY CENTER
- PROJECT COMPASS
- DIRECT PLACEMENT SERVICES
- EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
- HOMELESS SERVICES NETWORK EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
- VOCATIONAL EVALUATION
- SELF-SUFFICIENCY JOB CENTERS
- GOODWORKS PROGRAM & JOB CONNECTION
- B.E.S.T. COMPUTER & OFFICE SKILLS TRAINING
- GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program
