Goodwill's Academy for Girls

Nature and Purpose
Goodwill’s Academy for Girls serves girls in grades 4-12 from all over Boston, with most attending from communities surrounding Goodwill’s Roxbury headquarters:  Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and the South End.  During the 2008-09 school year, the Academy will serve 100 girls.

Goodwill created its Academy for Girls in 1996 after teens attending Goodwill’s Fresh Air summer camp identified the desire for programming geared toward girls’ sensibilities and interests.  12 years later, Goodwill’s after-school Academy inspires girls to dream and gives them the support, skills, and resources to reach their fullest potential.  Services include intensive academic supports and access to technology, both of which are needed to achieve in school, pass standardized tests, gain admittance to college or vocational school and make productive career choices while conducting themselves with pride, civility and authority.  At the same time, it is important that girls learn to recognize and use resources on their own so they can continue to be successful after they have moved on from the Academy.  For this reason, the Academy’s career ladder approach to leadership and independence helps girls assume increasing levels of responsibility within the Academy and in their community.  Mentoring provides access to role models. The Academy also develops effective relationships with parents/guardians and school staff, helping them to provide girls with consistent encouragement and guidance and ensuring that the girls feel fully embraced and supported. 

The Academy runs from September through June from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, with weekday extended hours as needed to help girls with school projects and tutoring.  On some weekends and during school vacations, programs include field trips and college visits. 

Tasks
PULSE students' primary responsibilities will be to serve as mentors for girls enrolled in Goodwill’s Academy. Activities will include tutoring and homework support, co-facilitating or leading workshops, projects, and community service efforts, assisting with college research and applications, and establishing positive relationships through consistent involvement and engagement with the girls. PULSE students with special skills or interests such as dance, theater, art, or athletics would be encouraged to share their knowledge with the girls by leading workshops or activities. Students will also assist the staff with projects or assignments as directed and requested. Other duties will include assisting staff with recruitment, enrolling new girls in the program, and completing occasional administrative tasks.

Time Requirement
The Academy is open Monday through Friday, from 1pm until 6pm. The majority of girls are in attendance between 2:30 and 5:30. PULSE student schedules will be determined between student and supervisor, totaling eight hours each week.

Supervision
All students will participate in an Academy orientation and training. Supervision will be ongoing and conducted formally on a biweekly basis with the supervisors.

Supervisors
Maryum Reed, Youth Services Program Coordinator
Valerie Gold, Director of Workforce Development and Youth

Address
1010 Harrison Ave Roxbury, MA
(617) 536-1888 x745
www.goodwillmass.org