High School Students Visit Rockford Goodwill, Create Outfits to Sell Online (9/9/08)
This month, Goodwill Industries® of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Stateline Area (Rockford, IL) went “back to school” and invited students from two local high schools to learn more about Goodwill® and everything it does. On September 2, 48 sophomores from Academic Career Education (ACE) High School — a new vocational school with a curriculum focused on workplace technical skills — toured the Goodwill’s facilities and learned about several business units. On September 5, 12 juniors and seniors from Guilford High School’s special education class participated in a similar day of learning.
In past visits from local high school students, Goodwill staff gave them a tour similar to one they would give any other group. This year, the agency worked with the schools to expand the tour and asked participants to complete a hands-on assignment.
“In having students see the gamut of training and educational opportunities in our community, it was natural to think of Goodwill-Northern Illinois. The students were able to find out about resources that are available in times of need,” said ACE High School Principal Michael Cermak. “What was most special was how the staff made a day tailored to a high school student. There were plenty of activities and excitement that made the afternoon go quickly.”
During the ACE students’ visit, the Goodwill split the group into three smaller groups. They toured a variety of business areas, including the manufacturing training center, the music recording studio, the e-commerce operations and the retail store. During the retail tour, students split into small groups to create outfits that would later be sold on shopgoodwill.com. One student modeled the outfit while another provided commentary. Students also wrote descriptions of the outfits for the auction web site. The Goodwill filmed the fashion shows, and after all the groups were finished, they came together to watch the video.
“I don’t think most of them had much previous exposure to Goodwill,” said the Goodwill’s Workforce Development Manager Courtney Geiger. “Those who did pretty much just knew about the store, and they were surprised they were able to put together a stylish outfit.”
After visiting the Goodwill last year, two Guilford High School students applied for jobs with the agency and were hired. Geiger said the school was eager to return because administrators and teachers saw first-hand how Goodwill could help their students.
“We’re trying to open communications with other school districts to coordinate similar programs,” said the Goodwill’s President and CEO Sam Schmitz. “It’s an opportunity for us to open our doors to the students and let them experience what we do for the community.”