Youth Programs

Programs

Goodwill provides job training, related career services, and youth enrichment programs.

Youth Programs

Goodwill has a long tradition of working with Boston-area youth, offering a number of academic, recreational and career-oriented programs and activities throughout the year for local children with great potential, but limited opportunities.

The Goodwill Fresh Air Camp

Located on 500 acres of woodlands, fields, and ponds in South Athol, Massachusetts, Fresh Air Camp offers a fun and enriching overnight camp experience during the summer months for boys and girls ages 8 to 16. Fresh Air Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the Dept. of Public Health.

Fresh Air Camp focuses on academics, recreation and leadership. Recreational activities include team sports, swimming, biking, hiking, dance/Hip Hop, arts & crafts, drama and dance. Academic programs reinforce Mass. Dept. of Education learning benchmarks for math, science, technology, social studies and literacy, and help campers become more motivated, confident learners. Leadership activities including a counselor-in-training program with strong post-secondary and job readiness components help campers to recognize and develop their strengths, work as a team and set effective goals.

For more information, please email Matt Lowe at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (617) 541-1253.

Download a pre-registration form.

BNY Mellon Academy for Girls

Goodwill’s BNY Mellon Academy for Girls encourages academic achievement, leadership development, civic engagement and career success in girls in grades 4 through 12 from communities surrounding Goodwill’s Roxbury headquarters. The Academy, which runs Monday through Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the academic year, offers the girls structured homework assistance, individualized learning plans, other academic enrichment support services, computer access and leadership development. Some Saturday programming is also offered, focusing on college and career preparation, and special programming takes place during school vacation weeks. The Academy is also a key training ground in leadership for Peer Leaders and Leaders-in-Training. Through the Academy, girls are inspired to dream of exciting possibilities for their future, and are given the tools to pursue and realize their dreams.

Girls have the opportunity to participate in Goodwill’s Fresh Air Camp during the summer. At Fresh Air Camp, many girls from the Academy participate as campers. A number of older girls serve as counselors-in-training over the camp’s eight-week period and receive a stipend, thereby gaining leadership skills and real work experience to prepare them for specific jobs and careers.

Programming in the Academy is tailored to meet the academic needs and healthy development of each girl. Activities and curricula are coordinated and appropriately linked, and offer safety, security and a stable environment for the girls.

For more information or for application materials, please email Maryum Reed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (617) 541-1212.

The GoodGuides Mentor Program

The GoodGuides™ Mentor Program is part of a national mentoring program that helps teens finish high school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults.

The overall goal of GoodGuides is to help youth build career plans and skills, and prepare for school completion, post-secondary training and productive work by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors.

GoodGuides matches youth ages 12 to 17 with committed, caring adults in one-on-one relationships for a year. Through these relationships, as well as recreational and group activities, mentors provide friendship, support, and guidance to help ensure these young people reach their potential. Mentors and their mentees meet for 4 hours per month and participate in activities that they both enjoy. There are also monthly group activities to bring all participants together. Goodwill provides comprehensive training and support to ensure the success of each mentor match.

The mission of the Goodwill GoodGuides is to empower youth to make positive choices that enable them to maximize their current and future potential.

The objective of GoodGuides is to help youth build skills and develop career goals, prepare for school completion, as well as post-secondary training, and work by providing structured and supportive relationships with trusted adult mentors.

For more information, please email Avery Perry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Youth Services at 617-541-1416.

Did you know?

Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries was founded in 1895 in Boston’s South End to provide impoverished immigrants with jobs and to furnish the community with affordable goods. It was the first in what is now a worldwide network of 183 independent affiliates.

Learn more about our History...

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