Good Bridges is a new Goodwill program based in New Hampshire that helps women with a criminal background find work and successfully transition back to the community.

Goodwill is looking for adult mentors in the Concord, Manchester and Nashua areas to help women prepare for the world of work. The mentoring program matches women with volunteer mentors who will work with individuals one-on-one on career awareness and work readiness skills.

Mentoring matches are made while women are nearing the end of their sentence to assist with transitioning to the community.  All volunteer mentors receive full training and program support from Goodwill.

According to the Position Statement, Working Beyond Conviction, released by Goodwill Industries International in 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that “nearly every person incarcerated in jail, and 95 percent of state prison inmates, will someday be released.  Of the nearly 700,000 who will be released this year, research tells us that two-thirds (67.5 percent) will return to prison within three years.”  Goodwill Industries calls upon key stakeholders to come together to create an environment that will hold people accountable and support individuals with criminal backgrounds who want to reintegrate into their communities and make positive contributions.

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