COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND PLACEMENT SERVICES

These services provide assistance to individuals that are mentally and physically challenged in obtaining and maintaining a competitive job within the community that pays the same wage and benefits received by other employees. Individuals are trained in interviewing skills, proper hygiene, dress code, and other areas of job readiness. The clients actively pursue employment with the assistance of the Job Developer/Employment Specialist by utilizing newspaper advertisements, cold calls and other leads appropriate to the needs, wants, and abilities of the individual. The employment specialist accompanies the client to the job and actively participates in job training and coaches the individual on all aspect of the job to ensure satisfactory performance. The job coach decreases work hours as the job tasks are mastered. With the cooperation of many area businesses we have successfully place employees in hundreds of locations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania including Wendy’s, McDonalds, Giant Food Markets, Holiday Inn, Wegman’s, Burger King, TJ Maxx and many more.

ADULT DAY CARE

Adult Day Care is a program for individuals with mental and/or physical challenges. Adult Day Care provides activities within a non-residential setting to individuals who are not capable of full-time independent living. The consumers work on specific goals such as money management, reading, writing and mathematics. These participants also enjoy lunching at local restaurants, shopping and bowling. The consumers also deliver hot meals to the elderly in collaboration with Meals on Wheels. This program enables men and women to gain self-esteem and friendships through a multi-faceted program that focuses on living skills, personal goals and off-site community field trips.

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

Community Options is a late afternoon/evening program that focuses on recreational activities in the community. The consumers in this program enjoy bowling, shopping at the mall, attending movies, dining at local establishments, ice skating and taking trips to local parks.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

This program provides an opportunity for individuals currently unable to gain competitive employment or participate in an integrated workshop to gain working experience in the community by volunteering at a local agency. A support coach will assist in placing the consumer in a setting conductive to their wants and needs. The coach will assist them with their responsibilities until they become capable of performing them independently. Volunteers are assigned to local hospitals, churches, and local long-term health care facilities.

TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM

This program is very similar to the Community Employment and Placement Program only the participants are high school students that have a mental or physical disability, substance abuse problem or Attention Deficit Disorder. Based on the interests, abilities and aspirations of the student, the Job Developer/Employment Specialist will find a one on one job coaching and supervision placement that is suitable for the student. This is a temporary fifty-two (52) hour placement for the entire period of employment. The goal of this program is to identify the interests and needs of the student for future employment, while concentrating on job performance skills that translate into the competitive job market.

KIDS TIME

The Kids Time Program offers social skills training to children that have been diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or any other children with any other special needs. Social skills as well as anger management training are crucial to children with special needs. These children usually have behavior problems at home as well as at school. Our program is designed to serve children between the ages of 6-12. The children participate in structured groups emphasizing peer activities, anger management, problem solving, intramurals, local field trips, bowling and many other activities. These events are designed to focus on social stability while simultaneously providing fun and excitement for the children.

CHOOSE YOUR FUTURE

Goodwill’s Choose Your Future program is designed to help young people living with challenges find gainful employment in the community. Our mission is to prepare local students for a life after high school by assimilating then into the workplace prior to graduation. In compliance with “No Child Left Behind” provisions, Goodwill Industries works closely with agencies like the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Career Link as well as the guidance and special education departments of local school districts in order to ensure that we serve the most in need.

RESIDENTIAL HOMES

Goodwill Industries operates twelve (12) group homes in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These homes provide a safe living environment for individuals not capable of living independently. All residents of these homes are mentally and/or physically challenged. Most of these individuals have spent their lives in institutions and require 24-hour care. The staff assists them with daily activities such as practicing daily hygiene, taking medication, eating, accompanying them to appointments, shopping, and integrating them into the community for social and personal enrichment.

Social Security Disability Benefits Consulting

The Pennsylvania/Social Security Administration Benefits Counseling and Assistance Project (PASSABCO), funded by a grant from the Socal Security Administration, assists individuals receiving SSI and/or SSDI benefits understand how work impacts applicable federal, state, and local benefits they receive. Information provided by a qualified Benefits Specialist will provide individuals with options that will allow them to make informed decisions about returning to work and its impact on their SSI/SSDI benefits. These services are provided to eligible individuals, their families, and service providers, and are completely voluntary, confidential, and free of charge.