A mentoring program run by Goodwill Industries aims to connect Michigan young people with positive influences who can guide them through the toughest parts of growing up. Kim Owens, the branch manager for GoodGuides in Flint, says she knew one teen who didn’t think he would make it through high school before he started working with a mentor.
” “His mother was low-income, had some alcohol abuse issues, had a sister that has a mental disorder. He was a straight-A student when he did go to school and we started making sure that we spent time with him and he ended up graduating. And we helped to get his applications for college.”
The young man is now working on a business degree. GoodGuides mentors are trained and work closely with parents, and Owens says some of their best candidates have patience and a good heart. GoodGuide mentoring is available through Goodwill programs around the state.
