Wind Youth Services and Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Inc. announced they have joined forces to help move more youth from homelessness and unemployment to stable housing, jobs and self-reliance.
Both organizations believe the real solution to helping people break the cycle of poverty and homelessness includes a comprehensive and coordinated approach that provides both short-term and long-term opportunities, incorporating wrap-around services including food, housing, employment opportunities, community referrals and other support.
This unique partnership will position Wind and Goodwill as regional leaders in delivering services to homeless youth in the Sacramento area. Wind will continue to offer all of its regular services for which they are known and respected, while maintaining its unique identity, mission statement and Board of Directors.
“Wind has been focused on providing support services and opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness,” said Suzi Dotson, Wind’s executive director. “This strategic alliance will leverage both agencies’ respective expertise in moving Sacramento’s young people to self-sufficiency.”
“Goodwill’s mission footprint in Sacramento will be broadened by its relationship with Wind Youth Services,” said Joe Mendez, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Inc. “Our vocational programs will offer Wind’s clients opportunities to develop job skills that are portable to other industries. The close mission alignment of our organizations creates a real opportunity to assist Sacramento homeless youth move into stable housing situations and employment.”
Goodwill recently issued a $10,000 community challenge to help raise funds to keep Wind’s adolescent shelter open through the end of the year. A total of over $135,000 was raised through that challenge.
Wind’s youth shelters will remain open and operational in their current locations. Wind’s administrative offices will temporarily move to the Goodwill Corporate office on Folsom Blvd, while the Teen Drop-in Center moves to a Next Move-owned facility in Oak Park until an affordable location is identified.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Goodwill,” said Wind Youth Service Board Chair Robert E. Beaudry. “The infrastructure provided by Goodwill will allow Wind to focus on its mission of supporting homeless youth in our community. I am a firm believer in leveraging shared services, and Goodwill has provided that opportunity.”
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