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People with Disabilities

S.T.A.R.s

The mission of Goodwill S.T.A.R.S is to provide a supportive learning environment to empower participants so that they may overcome the boundaries and limits of intellectual and physical disabilities and achieve their personal goals.

Unique Day Program

S.T.A.R.S. recreates daily living scenarios through an interactive, realistic environment. Participants will rotate between different places such as the apartment, general store, town square, art studio, and fitness center. Each different place will give participants a chance to learn real life skills while having fun and interacting with other staff and participants at the same time. This program uses a curriculum designed to help participants overcome their disadvantages and achieve maximum independence in the long run. On top of the wide variety of skills and experiences participants will be introduced to at Goodwill’s S.T.A.R.S. program, participants will also have the opportunity to interact with the local community through group outings where they can apply some of the skills they have learned through S.T.A.R.S. in real world situations.

Pre-Vocational

The S.T.A.R.S. program partners with our Goodwill retail stores for hands-on work experience. Here, S.T.A.R.S. learn and practice working skills in an actual retail environment. Additional soft-skills training is provided in a classroom setting.

Program Schedule

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program schedule can be modified to meet the individual needs of persons interested in the program.

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are provided to transitioning individuals who meet the definition of a “student with a disability.” The relevant age for the program is 14–22 years old.  The five Pre-ETS categories are job exploration, work-based learning, work place readiness training, self-advocacy, and counseling on post-secondary opportunities. Goodwill North Central Texas provides a Pre-ETS curriculum containing one or more of the six Pre-ETS modules. For example, Explore the You in Work, Entering the World of Work, Soft Skills for Work Success, Disability Disclosure, Money Smart, and Job Search Training. The first semester of the program is the curriculum and the second semester is work experience. The Work Experience Services allow a customer to be placed at a business or agency within the community to learn skills for long-term, competitive, integrated employment.

Pre-ETS Services includes:

  • Job exploration counseling
  • Work-based learning experiences-which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible
  • Workplace readiness training-to develop social skills and independent living
  • Instruction in self-advocacy (including instruction in person-centered planning)- which may include peer mentoring (including peer mentoring from individuals with disabilities working in competitive integrated employment)
Summer Camp (Camp Independence) offers Tarrant County transitional students an opportunity to learn and adjust to the daily workplace routine by offering career exploration, independent living skills and self-advocacy instruction.

Participants will receive hands-on work experience and complete resumes.
Topics include:

  • Exploring the “YOU” in work
  • Entering the world of work
  • Soft skills for work success
  • Soft skills to pay the bills


*Fee for Service Program

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Please put Pre-ETS in the subject line

Camp Independence

Camp Independence is a summer camp for transitional students, age 16-22, seeking educational and career assistance. In partnership with Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS), Goodwill hosts several two-week sessions of Camp Independence, each summer geared toward transitional students – individuals with disabilities transitioning from high school to post-secondary education or the workforce.

The program teaches young adults with disabilities about jobs, social skills, hygiene, phone etiquette, how to save and spend money, how to apply for a job, interviewing and networking skills in addition to post-secondary education opportunities, independent living skills, and self-advocacy instruction. In partnership with local business partners like Omni Fort Worth Hotel and others, campers will experience a real-world work environment with hands-on job shadowing experiences. 

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Please put Camp Independence in the subject line

Summer Earn and Learn logo

Summer Earn and Learn

In partnership with Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and in collaboration with Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Summer Earn & Learn creates pathways to employment for students with disabilities.

Participants receive workplace readiness training to prepare for successful employment and paid work experience to help build skills and identify future career goals.  Eligible students include those with an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan.  Students must be 15-22 years of age as of September 1. For more information contact the Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation counselor assigned to your school or Rosla Hocker at 817-436-4127.

Registration is now open for 2024.

Registration is closed for 2023.
Stay tuned for info on the 2024 program. 

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Goodwill Empowerment Scholarship

The Goodwill Industries Empowerment Scholarship awards a total of four individuals up to $1,300 per academic year ($650 per semester). Two scholarships are in the fall semester and two more in the spring semester.  These scholarships are provided to assist academically deserving students who have a documented disability; however, students with demonstrated financial need are also be considered. All scholarships and other financial aid already awarded is taken into consideration when determining eligibility. Selections will also be based on a student’s overall academic progress, disability, financial need, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and participation in community activities.  Students will be notified by e-mail or mail of any scholarship award or denial.

Students are welcome to reapply for a scholarship award for subsequent academic years. Additional consideration of the application will be given for academic progress. (Grades/progress reports should be submitted along with applications.) Please attach a separate sheet describing how the scholarship benefited you and why it should be renewed. Goodwill North Central Texas reserves the right to cancel any scholarship or aid awarded at any time if the applicant fails to meet the standards of academic progress, any other scholarship requirements, or falsifies information reported and may ask at any time for grades/progress reports from the student who was awarded a scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be enrolling as a first-time student in college or returning student with fewer than 90 commutative college credit hours attempted
  • Pursuing an Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree at an accredited college or university
  • Enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits per semester
  • Have and maintain a satisfactory GPA (2.00-4.00)
  • U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be a resident of Goodwill North Central Texas service area
  • Have a documented disability and/or demonstrate a financial need
  • Not be related to any of the Goodwill North Central Texas Board Members

Application Procedures

Complete and submit a Scholarship Application with the items listed below:

  • An official college academic transcript from all colleges previously attended
  • A one-page essay about yourself explaining your family background, personal interest, what you plan to study, and why you want to further your education
  • Entering freshmen must submit a high school transcript
  • For consideration as a disabled applicant, please provide proof of disability from a recognized state, federal, or medical/psychological authority
  • A copy of your (or your family’s) previous year’s Federal Tax Return
    Scholarship Application

Fall Semester

April 15

Spring Semester

October 15

Please note: Due to COVID-19 the Goodwill Empowerment Scholarship will not be awarded until further notice.

Rehabilitation Services

Vocational Adjustment Training (VAT)

Work Readiness comprises Vocational Adjustment Training (VAT), which is designed to provide you the skills and knowledge to effectively assist a customer to become work and job ready. As VAT requires a vast amount of knowledge and skill, a variety of activities and assignments are utilized to reinforce learning.

The eight VAT Services offered:

  1. Exploring the “You” in Work
    Explore the “You” in Work curriculum helps customers to learn and understand their own work personalities, interests, values, and transferable skills.
  2. Soft Skills for Work Success
    The Soft Skills for Work Success curriculum helps the customer learn and demonstrate the soft skills needed to be successful at work. The training focuses on developing essential skills related to:
    • Effective communication
    • Problem-solving
    • Work habits
    • A strong work ethic
  3. Soft Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Success
    Skills to Pay the Bills-Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success; the curriculum is designed to teach skills to youth and adults in the following six areas:
    • Communication
    • Enthusiasm and attitude
    • Teamwork
    • Networking
    • Problem-solving and critical thinking
    • Professionalism
  4. Entering the World of Work
    The VAT Entering the World of Work curriculum helps the customer learn and demonstrate knowledge and skills related to workplace expectations, rules, and laws.
  5. Preparing for Job Search TrainingVAT
    The VAT Job Search Training curriculum helps the customer learn and demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for a job search to obtain employment in entry-level positions. The VAT Job Search Training is only for Pre-ETS students ages 22 and younger.
  6. Disability Disclosure Training
    VAT Disability Disclosure Training provides information to customers to help them make informed, beneficial decisions about disclosing their disability and about their educational, employment, and social lives.
  7. Money Smart – A Financial Education Training
    Money Smart—A Financial Education Program curriculum developed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) teaches customers basic behaviors about responsible handling of money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions.
  8. Public Transportation Training 
    VAT Public Transportation Training teaches customers essential skills for traveling by the customer’s preferred mode of public transportation in the customer’s community. Destinations can include school, work sites, and an independent living center.

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Please put VAT in the subject line

personal social Adjustment Training

Personal and Social Adjustment Training (PSAT) is a four week training course specifically intended to teach skills related to acceptable work behaviors and to improve interpersonal skills that interfere with the customer’s ability to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment.

PSAT is a structured service intended to meet the needs of individuals and to address vocational impediments, not a paid training program. It is specifically designed to address work-related behaviors that inhibit the customer’s abilities to successfully maintain employment, and can be used to reinforce behaviors and skills, which the customer failed to master in previous training/jobs.
After completion of all PSAT courses, customers will be eligible for enrollment to train in the WAT (Work Adjustment Training Program) and/or WEP (Work Experience Program).

*This is a referral based program. Interested applicants should contact Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services to receive a referral.

Personal adjustment, which can include:

  • Self-evaluation
  • Developing or restoring self-confidence
  • Self-advocacy
  • Disability management (if applicable)
  • Motivation
  • Personal health and hygiene
  • Personal appearance and grooming

Social adjustment, which can include:

  • Establishing basic etiquette
  • Social relationships and/or interpersonal skills
  • Conflict resolution and problem solving
  • Time and schedule management
  • Developing socially acceptable behaviors
  • Effective communication
  • Workplace interaction
  • Acceptable work behaviors

Training Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (20 hours per week)

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Please put PSAT in the subject line

Work Adjustment Training (WAT)

Work Adjustment Training (WAT) is paid work experience training in a competitive integrated environment. Its purpose is to improve work behaviors and enhance interpersonal skills of the customer. WAT is designed to impart work skills, work habits and job retention skills required to obtain and maintain employment.

*This is a referral-based program. Interested applicants should contact Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services to receive a referral.

WAT Program Includes:

  • Janitorial Training
  • Warehouse Training
  • Retail Training

WAT Training Time:

The Work Adjustment training program is one to three months, and is Monday through Friday for 25 hours per week.

Prerequisites

  • Must be enrolled into services with Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and/or a partnering school districts, and/or a partnering day habilitation center.
  • Must be able to transport self or coordinate transportation to and from training facilities.
  • Must be 16 years or older
    Must be able to provide 2 forms of identification.

WAT Addresses:

  • Attendance/punctuality
  • Grooming/hygiene and attire
  • On-the-job performance skills
  • Job-seeking skills
  • Work Related skills
  • Time management and mobility
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills

WAT Goals:

To develop appropriate workplace behavior skills and to be able to secure employment within the community.

For Program Details:

Call: 817.332.7866

Please put WAT in the subject line

S.T.A.R.S at the Greenworks Learning Center

S.T.A.R.S. Virtual Tour

Empowerment Scholarship Application

Goodwill Empowerment Scholarship Application

Personal Data

Last, First, M.I.
*Must provide copy of Alien Registration Card: I-151 or I-51)

Thank you for your interest in Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth’s Empowerment Scholarship. Unfortunately, you reside outside of our service territory. We encourage you to look for opportunities at your local Goodwill. Find your local Goodwill by searching at www.goodwill.org.

Education

Questions

Certification

I certify that all the information included in this application is true and complete. I hereby grant permission to the Office of Enrollment/Financial Services to verify such information and to release information to the donor or potential donor of any scholarship for which I may be eligible.
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