Lance Meeks, Metro Youth/The Rec Program Manager and Tara Carmody, Academic Services Coordinator, Goodwill Industries of Southern AZ
When thinking about sustainability, it’s easy to default one’s thinking to the physical environment – water management, greenhouse gases, carbon footprint, etc. Our communities are not just how well we can cultivate organic food or that our waste can be recycled. Our communities prosper when families are strong, there are available and accessible opportunities AND there are real prospects of success (whatever that definition may be to any individual). Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona operates 10 mission programs and Academic Services that have helped thousands each year work towards their career and educational goals. Lance Meeks, Metro Youth/The Rec Program Manager and Tara Carmody, Academic Services Coordinator will talk specifically about Goodwill’s youth programs and Academic Services that serve young adults (ages 18-24) who are at critical stages in their lives – to not just survive, but to thrive! Many youth overcome rocky pasts and other barriers. Goodwill’s youth programs provide intensive services so that these individuals can create sustainable futures for themselves and their families by accepting the “hand up” to become a productive member of the workforce and connect to resources that can help them towards self-sufficiency, which in turn benefits our southern Arizona community.