Helping teens and young adults through mentoring and coaching: Nelly's story

Building a foundation for job success 

Goodwill’s Empower Youth program provides teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 from the Chicagoland area 
with job readiness training, skill building and support to prepare for and find their next job. 

For Nelly Melgoza, the program is about creating opportunity. She joined Goodwill in 2023 as an Empower Youth case manager to help Illinois youth and young adults realize their potential, overcome challenges, and to become a trusted mentor throughout the job process. Nelly is bringing her passion and dedication into her new role as program manager where she is focused on connecting youth and young adults to Empower Youthand building partnerships so more communities can access the program.

“Teens and young adults are the future, and I want to make sure that no one gets left behind, that their needs 
and voices are heard, and that they know they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to, especially in their education.” 

Q: What does it mean to you to be in this role helping teens and young adults map a pathway to a fulfilling future? 

Nelly: It means a lot. It is a responsibility to provide the tools that each individual needs to become financially stable and self-sufficient. Getting to know each teen and young adult, their needs, challenges and to gain their trust is important to their success.

Q: What is most important to you as an Empower Youth program manager? 

Nelly: Making sure that I transform lives by giving each teen and young adult the correct support for a prosperous future, ensuring they have reliable employment, and gain experience to advance their careers. Growing up in Chicago, I am familiar with the challenges teens and young adults face and can provide solutions unique to them.

Q: What impact do you witness this program having on teens and young adults? 

Nelly: Empower Youth is a great program that provides life skills training, one-on-one coaching and an individualized plan to target needs and challenges. The program helps first-time job seekers gain trust in themselves, build a resume and bring out their qualities and skills. Teens and young adults with prior work experience have learned to trust their skills and become better job seekers.