Students graduating from ceremony.

Athens, GA – In celebration of Second Chance Month, Goodwill of North Georgia is excited to unveil its new initiative, the LifeLaunch: Growth Opportunities 4 Program. This program aims to provide second chances and fresh starts for individuals impacted by the legal system, while actively working to break down barriers they face in their journey toward reintegration.

The Goodwill® LifeLaunch: Growth Opportunities 4 Program, an employment and training program for justice-impacted individuals, was made possible with a more than $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. This groundbreaking employment and training initiative started in January 2025, aims to empower justice-impacted individuals aged 18 to 24. The three-year program focuses on providing essential skills and support to participants in Athens-Clarke County and parts of Elbert and Madison counties.

The LifeLaunch program represents a transformative opportunity for communities in and around Athens, offering tailored training and credentialing in high-demand fields such as welding, logistics/supply chain management, forklift/warehouse operations, customer service, and phlebotomy. Participants will receive industry-recognized credentials, such as AWS-Certified Welder, OSHA-30, Certified Logistics Technician, CDL and Supply Chain Management certification, or Level II Customer Service certification, enhancing their employability in an increasingly competitive job market.

Program participants receive comprehensive job readiness training, mentorship opportunities, mental health support, and paid work experience. The initiative integrates cutting-edge personal and professional development strategies designed to enhance motivation, reliability, and dependability—key traits for employment success.

Eligibility criteria for the program include:

– Individuals aged 18-24, 

– Residence in or plans to return to Athens-Clarke, Madison, or Elbert counties,

– Experience with an interrupted education or involvement with the juvenile/adult legal system, 

– Identified risk factors such as learning differences or early exposure to substance use. 

“The LifeLaunch program is more than just training; it’s about providing hope and a path to success for young people who have faced significant challenges,” said Jenny Taylor, vice president of career services and chief mission officer,“We are committed to helping participants build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their careers and communities.”

Goodwill is contributing additional resources to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the program, which aims to serve at least 85 individuals over the three-year grant period. The partnership between Goodwill and the U.S. Department of Labor is crucial in achieving the program’s workforce development and crime reduction goals.

For those who meet the eligibility criteria, we invite you to reach out and become part of this transformative journey. To learn more about the program and enrollment opportunities, please get in touch with us at jparrott@ging.org.

“Together, let’s build a brighter future for our communities,” Taylor said. 

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About Goodwill of North Georgia:

Goodwill of North Georgia serves a 45-county territory with 100+ stores and donation centers. The organization also operates 14 career centers including a mobile career center to support job training and placement services offered free to tens of thousands of North Georgia job seekers. In fiscal year 2023, Goodwill of North Georgia was recognized as the number one Goodwill in the nation when it comes to people employed, helping more than 22,000 North Georgians get connected with jobs. Through the career centers and training programs, Goodwill serves veterans, people with disabilities, youth, single parents, the under-employed, people with criminal backgrounds, and anyone looking for work. To learn more about Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and job training programs, please visit www.goodwillng.org. www.goodwillng.org.and job training programs, please visit goodwillng.org.