The mission of Goodwill Industries of Acadiana's Youth Opportunity Program (YO!) is to empower young people, ages 14-21, who have dropped out of school to become . self-sufficient and productive members of our community by assisting them in identifying their needs, formulating goals to achieve those needs and working together with each participant to attain the desired results.

Goals include completion of GED or high school diploma, full-time or part-time employment and continuation of education through vocational or other post-secondary education.

In partnership with the Lafayette Education Foundation, the In-School Youth Program is a Career Exploration Project. The program consists of discussion of work ethics and research on various careers. Magellan Software allows the students to explore careers which directly relate to their specific interests, aptitudes and academic abilities. The goal of the program is for students to increase their knowledge about their abilities, available careers, and the relevance of education to their future careers. This program fulfills Louisiana Act 1124 concerning career education.

Supported Employment means competitive employment in an integrated setting with on-going support services for individuals with the most severe disabilities for whom competitive employment has not been traditionally available or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as the result of a severe disability; and who because of the nature and severity of their disabilities need intensive supported employment and extended services indefinitely in order to perform this work. The job must be at least 20 hours per week paying minimum wage or greater. This employment outcome is obtained by providing intensive services and sustained through the provision of extended services. All available, effective, interventions will be utilized to achieve this end.

Goodwill Industries of Acadiana provides clothing and household items in times of crisis. In 2002, Goodwill donated more than $54,000 in merchandise to 728 individuals referred by 34 social service agencie