Page 9 - Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Annual Report

Unleash Potential:
U More than 40,000 adults in Monroe County don't have a high
Our Goodwill Learning Academy

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school diploma, placing them at far higher risk of experiencing
poverty, unemployment, and underemployment than their
neighbors who do have this essential credential . In New York State,
the typical routes to high school accreditation come with barriers,
such as the need to pass Regents-based exams or complete
college credits. According to educators at the Goodwill Learning
Academy [GLA], the National External Diploma Program [NEDP]
can be one of the best ways for students to achieve their goals.
The NEDP isn’t test-based, so a person can’t simply fail. They take different amounts of time,
but they can get their diploma once they are able to persevere.

GLA coaches look holistically at prospective students and develop strategies for their
achieving their goals. Many barriers prevent individuals from accessing the program,
transportation being the most prevalent. GLA provides Go Cards, so students can take the
bus to the program. Food scarcity can be a barrier, making it extremely difficult for students
to maintain focus and retain information. To address this, staff works with a local food
bank to provide free lunches. A mural painted by students decorates the
office, free coffee and snacks are always available—are the ways staff make
the space inviting and productive. For many, GLA goes beyond education
to build relationships. The beginning of a session is often dedicated to
discussing the student’s current struggles and working through possible
solutions. GLA coaches draw on GFL’s other resources, such as 211, to
connect them to services. Staff understand that NEDP is not always the
perfect fit. Our Education Success Coaches help develop pathways that fit
student needs and objectives—even if these lead to other area programs.
GLA currently serves 31 students, and is quickly growing and exceeding the
capacity of the present staff.

An avid reader as a child, Mandy W. abruptly stopped reading at sixteen. As she dealt with
more challenges in her personal life, it became near impossible to keep up with schoolwork,
especially without responsive educators. As she recalls, “No one was listening.” This, Mandy
feels, is the key difference with her experience at Goodwill Learning Academy and why
she now feels prepared to succeed. GLA coaches listen and care about her and work with
the pace she sets. When Mandy started at GLA in January, she hadn’t picked up a book in
twenty years. She immediately fell back in love with reading. Her favorite genre: thrillers.

Latest note: on our Goodwill of the Finger Lakes horizon, our Excel Center independent
school application is being submitted and we hope to open the first high school for adults
in NYS with our partner the Urban League of Rochester.