Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

Youth Services

Successfully raising a child takes caregivers, schools, community groups, and others working together. Goodwill is committed to helping youth become ready for what lies ahead. Programs are provided at no cost to youth and their families.

Goodwill partners with Carilion Clinic to offer Project SEARCH, a one year program that provides education and on-site training to prepare youth with disabilities to be work ready upon graduation from high school. The program serves as a workforce alternative for students in their last year of high school and is located at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke. 

Students learn employability skills in the classroom, and job skills while participating in three unpaid internships during the year. Students actively participate in defining their career goal and planning the necessary steps to achieve that goal. Students also have the added benefit of learning life skills, such as using public transportation, to report to work sites. The ultimate goal, upon program completion, is to have the skills necessary to obtain competitive employment. 

Project SEARCH: Carilion Clinic is offered to individuals living in the City of Roanoke and Salem and Counties of Roanoke and Botetourt. For more information on the Project SEARCH: Carilion Clinic program e-mail [email protected] or call (540) 581.0620 option 1.

Services for Youth with Challenges 

Goodwill operates the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program for multiple Workforce Investment Areas in Virginia. The program is designed to provide training, employment, and educational opportunities to eligible, in and out of school, youth ages 16 to 24.

Youth benefit from a variety of services to prepare them for employment in high-demand occupations. Through comprehensive, case-managed services, youth participate in career and academic preparation, work based learning and on-the-job training, and occupational skills training leading to industry-recognized credentials, and adult mentoring. All services lead to employment in an in-demand occupation or entry into post-secondary education programs.

For more information on the WIOA Youth program, e-mail [email protected], call (540) 581.0620 option 1, or fill out the interest form below to be contacted by a Goodwill WIOA Youth staff member.

Youth Interest Form
Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Which Youth Services are you interested in?(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Community School to Work Transition Program

Goodwill provides employment and training services to students with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 22 to become work ready. In person job readiness training is provided during the program year coupled with participation in a variety of work-based learning experiences during the students’ regular school hours. Instruction may include:

  • Job Exploration Counseling
  • Workplace Readiness Training
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Communication and Teamwork
  • Workplace Safety
  • Technology in the Workplace
  • Preparing for and Maintaining Employment
  • Financial Literacy

Students also develop social and independent living skills, while gaining work experience in a monitored real-world work location. Work-based learning locations are chosen among a variety of collaborations with local businesses. Tasks at each location are assigned based on the student’s individual interests.

To participate in the CSWTP program, a student will need to be referred by their individual case manager, or their school system’s Transition Coordinator.

For more information on Goodwill’s Community School to Work Transition Program, e-mail [email protected] or call (540) 581.0620 option 1.

Pre-Employment Transition Services 

Goodwill works with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to help students with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 21 become work ready. Individual, Group, and Summer options are available to eligible students. Instruction may include: 

  • Job Exploration Counseling 
  • Workplace Readiness Training 
  • Counseling in Post-Secondary Education 
  • Instructions in Self-Advocacy 
  • Communication and Teamwork 
  • Workplace Safety 
  • Technology in the Workplace 
  • Preparing for and Maintaining Employment 
  • Financial Literacy 

Students can also participate in a variety of work-based learning experiences based upon their individual interests, preferences and strengths.

To participate in the Pre-ETS program, a student will need to be referred by DBVI or DARS.

For more information on Goodwill’s Pre-Employment Transition Services, e-mail [email protected] or call (540) 581.0620 option 1.

YouthHQ@Goodwill 

YouthHQ @Goodwill logo

YHQ is a youth and teen center located at 2502 Melrose Avenue, NW, Suite G. The program serves Roanoke area youth and features the following activities and offerings for middle and high school youth: 

  • Computer Lab: For school projects & training opportunities such as learning computer skills beyond hand-held devices 
  • Recreational Spaces: TV with gaming systems, pool table, foosball table, & more 
  • Community Engagement Activities & Field Trips
  • Crafts
  • Meals (provided by Feeding SW Virginia)
  • Work Training & Career Readiness Services

YHQ Center Hours
School Year Hours: Monday – Friday, 3 pm – 5:30 pm
Summer Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5:30 pm

For more information about how to participate in YouthHQ and activities, please fill out the interest form below, email [email protected], or call (540) 581.0620.

STEAM Camp

STEAM Science Camp logo

During Summer STEAM Camp, youth in grades 6-12 participate in fun-filled, interactive experiences in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) based curriculum. 

STEAM CAMP 2024: TBA
Camp Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm
Breakfast 8:30 am | Lunch 12 pm
Come for Camp, Stay for YHQ until 5:30 pm!

For more information about how to participate in STEAM Camp, please fill out the interest form under YouthHQ@Goodwill below, email [email protected], or call (540) 581.0620.

STEAM Students at Roanoke Police Department Visit
2023 Summer STEAM Camp – Roanoke Police Department Visit
YouthHQ Interest Form
Child's Name(Required)
Parent/Guardian Name(Required)
Parent/Guardian Address(Required)
Which youth programs/activities are your child or teen interested in?(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Youth Build

The YouthBuild Program helps Roanoke area youth ages 16-24, without a high school diploma, access training and job opportunities in the in-demand construction field. You will get paid while you learn! Youth benefit from:

  • Earning their GED
  • Earning a National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Core Certificate
  • Participating in new and rehab construction of a residential property
  • OSHA training
  • Work based learning
  • Job placement services
  • Opportunities to earn medical certifications

For more information on the YouthBuild Program, e-mail [email protected], call (540) 581.0620 option 1, or fill out the interest form below to be contacted by a YouthBuild staff member.

YouthBuild Interest Form
Name(Required)
Address(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The total cost of the YouthBuild Roanoke program is $1,498,750.00. $1,199,000.00 (80%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration grant. The other $299,750 (20%) is funded through in kind and other non-governmental sources.

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