YOUTH
PROGRAMMING
Youth Programs
with Goodwill
Youth programs hosted through Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland, Inc. provide an opportunity for students to get involved with activities that help them learn skills, develop interpersonal communication skills, gain early job experiences, and more.
Goodwill Connects
The Goodwill Connects program provides students with a paid summer work experience with local employers throughout the Battle Creek area. The goal of the program is to give each student an employment experience that provides them with a better understanding of the skills required by local employers to obtain and retain employment. We have up to 50 local employers across a wide range of employment scenarios so students with a variety of interests can find an opportunity to get quality experience in a workplace setting.
Goodwill Connect is typically a 6-8 week program that utilizes career mentors, typically local high school educators and counselors, to create a supportive environment for the students. The overarching goal is to provide students the opportunity to prepare for life beyond high school through successful employment or lead them to pursue specific career training or education after graduation.
Learn More
A Word From Our President and CEO,
Ken Bauer
“Our Goodwill Connects program provides students with a paid summer work experience with employers located throughout the greater Battle Creek area. The goal of the program is to give each student an employment experience that provides them with a better understanding of the skills required by local employers to obtain and retain employment. The program utilizes Career Mentors (local high school educators) to create a supportive environment for students. The overarching goal is to provide students the opportunity to prepare for life beyond high school through successful employment or lead them to pursue specific career training or education after graduation.”
Our Impact
With 50+ local employers across a wide range of employment scenarios, students with a variety of interests can find an opportunity to get quality job experience in a workplace setting through Goodwill Connect. Not only does it connect students more with our local community, but it helps to provide the next generation of workers with training that forever changes their lives and helps guide them down a path to future employment. Our impact on the lives of students is one more way that we strive to give back and strengthen our community through caring, quality programs and service.
Battle Creek Central High School
Career Academies
Battle Creek Central High School Career Academies integrate traditional academic coursework with work-based learning opportunities during the school day. GICMH facilitates the business partnerships that bring professionals from a variety of career paths to the school to assist with mock interviews, career fairs and tours of area businesses. Through the Career Academy’s career exploration opportunities, students receive employer expectations training and hands-on experiences in purposeful, career-focused educational opportunities.
Do you work for a business that
wants to get involved?
Through the Career Academies model, there are numerous opportunities for our local businesses to get involved in directly supporting students. Community partners can serve in a wide range of exciting activities from offering internships to hosting Industry Tours or being a volunteer interviewer during Mock Interviews. Other easy participation options include guest speaking in various classes, serving as a panelist during freshman Career Panels, or hosting tables at the Freshman Career Exploration Fair or Senior Job Fair.
If you work for a company in one of the following industries, the students at Battle Creek Central High School need your help:
- Information Technology
- Finance
- Business
- Engineering
- Skilled Trades
- Nursing
- Healthcare
- Public Safety
- Education
As the convening organization, GICMH is committed to helping local industries connect with the school to support Career Academy initiatives. Please give us a call to learn more: 269.788.6500 ext.2032
Who Can Apply?
Applicants for the Career Academies programs must be a Battle Creek Central High School student. Students can talk to school counselors at Battle Creek Central to learn more and get in contact with community partners. We encourage all students to get involved and start developing work experience!
Learn More and Apply
Interested in applying or learning more about the pathways available to you? Visit our student portal:
Kellogg Community College
Career Exploration Partnership
Are you in high school and want to earn a paycheck this summer while learning about careers in Skilled Trades or Public Safety? GICMH and KCC collaborate to expose students to these career pathways. This hands-on experience will give you the opportunity to try welding, electrical wiring, ambulance driving, CPR and more! Each program is limited in space, so please contact us to let us know you are interested.
Curious? Give us a call to learn more: 269-788-6500 ext.2032