The Youth Restoration Project is a youth employment program that provides youth ages 18-24 the opportunity to learn hard and soft skills (keeping a work schedule, communication, task discipline, etc.) that will contribute to success in the workplace. In addition to on-the-job training, we provide support and resources to help youth achieve their educational goals. While holding a full-time job with Goodwill®, individuals continue to receive assistance in obtaining a GED, getting into college, or providing a professional path.
Goodwill®’s youth are resurrecting some of the generously donated furniture by rebuilding, repurposing and restoring them to become “new-to-you.” Furniture from the Youth Restoration Project are resold at Goodwill® thrift stores and this revenue helps fund the program and other workforce development services Goodwill® offers. The program also gives furniture that would have gone into our landfills a second life, keeping 4,000 pounds out of the landfill each month!
Program Goals
Hard Skills
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- Basic tool knowledge (miter saw, table saw, router, planer, joiner, skill saw, jig saw).
- Basic wood working skills, from sanding to learning how to join different species of wood.
- Basic Maintenance and Repair skills, HVAC, Sign Install, Equipment Repair
- Bicycle recycling, repair.
- Assembly of Pink Tag items from the easiest coffee tables to complicated treadmills.
- Pricing of items to sell in a retail setting based on materials used and labor cost.
- Keeping track of supplies and a monthly budget.
- Learning how to maintain safety at all times in a working shop.
Soft Skills
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- Learning how to show up to work on time and being productive.
- Learning to compartmentalize disappointments so work is not affected.
- Taking responsibility for self-improvement in order to reach next level of employment or education.
- Teamwork
- Setting of long-term and short-term goals.
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
Other
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- GED preparation and eventual passing of state test.
- Career and educational plans and pathways through EAP and AZCIS.
- Resume preparation
- Financial counseling, including how to set up a checking and savings account and learning how to navigate the world of credit and other types of money borrowing; this also includes counseling on how to save 6-months’ worth of pay in case of job loss.
- Help with navigation of health services, from getting health insurance through Goodwill or through the state.
- Mental health services
- Parenting services
- College preparedness, from applying to school to navigating FAFSA; support during enrollment in college.
- Tutoring of any kind.
- Driver’s Education with eventual attainment of AZ driver’s license through use of company vehicles.
- Certifications: OSHA 10-Hour Safety Class and CPR/First Aide.
- Support after graduation from program. Manager maintains contact with youth after they leave to help with career/school decisions.
To become a Youth Restoration Associate, you must:
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- Be 18-24 years old
- Be out-of-school (as this is a full-time job)
- Fill out an online application. See available job postings on Career page
- Attend an interview
- Agree to have a background check performed
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Available Youth Restoration Associate positions are posted on the Careers: Current Openings page.