Working together for the Goode of the community.
A bridge to a brighter future.
THE NEED
Were you ready for a career in the “real world” when you left high school?
Often, there’s still some distance between graduation and career readiness... subjects that high school doesn’t really cover, but employers expect us to know... and traditional higher education isn’t always the best bridge.
Goode Education Foundation (GEF) intends to fill this gap. We’ve come together to motivate our community through education, beyond school doors. GEF is a non-profit organization that provides the resources, training and guidance to help our historically underserved neighbors achieve their personal and professional goals.
The most recent Newark, NJ census data tells us 75 percent of adults over the age of 25 have a high school diploma or higher. Conversely, 15 percent of adults over 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher. What these numbers depict is alarming: There’s a gap, and many members of our community have fallen within it.
There’s even more cause for concern when you consider how the COVID-19 pandemic upset many who were on the path to higher education. Just under 43 percent of Newark Public Schools graduates enrolled in college in Fall 2020, and only a third of seniors in the Class of 2021 applied for financial aid. Given our uncertain times and a clumsy distance learning model, the idea of paying to attend school might not seem attractive. Let’s make sure our young adults leave high school with a plan for their lives, even if it’s not a traditional two- or four-year degree.
Everyone’s journey will not be the same, and that’s OK; now is the time to imagine brilliant new outcomes. GEF is broadening the scope to allow our youth, and any worker in need of a change, to explore career readiness and diverse occupations that don't necessarily require “normal” education.
OUR MISSION
We believe that by restoring the connective tissue of a caring community, we can make sure no one gets left behind. Our collective efforts will foster supportive, inclusive environments for individuals to explore career interests and build capacity to attain their professional and personal goals.
OUR STORY
Goode Education Foundation traces its roots to 2015, when Dr. Juail Goode founded Goode Education Group, LLC (GEG) to provide talent acquisition and professional learning solutions to local school districts. Based on outreach with GEG, we noticed that traditional K-12 and higher education institutions often leave members of marginalized communities feeling discouraged or isolated.
GEF was founded in 2018 to bridge this disconnect. We are committed to providing the training and guidance to uplift underserved communities and to expose job seekers of all ages to a myriad of professional development pathways.
WHO WE ARE
We are educators, parents, and highly involved citizens gifted with a heart to serve. We proudly share the vision of CEO and founder Juail Goode, Ed.D., who is committed to changing lives through the power of education.
Juail Goode, Ed.D., CEO
Dr. Juail Goode began her career as a teacher with Newark Public Schools, motivated by a desire to impact the community where she was born and raised. During her tenure with NPS, she continually sought opportunities to connect her passion for advancing equity in education with coaching leaders and uplifting historically underrepresented groups.
In 2015, she established Goode Education Group, LLC to serve as a resource to school districts in the areas of compliance monitoring and professional development of teachers. Today GEG has expanded to add value to government agencies as well as private and non-profit sectors in the areas of recruitment and workforce development.
Dr. Goode holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Rutgers University-New Brunswick; a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Rutgers Univesity-New Brunswick; a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University-Newark; and a Bachelor of Psychology from Virginia Union University.
In an effort to remain grounded to her roots as both a scholar and practitioner, Dr. Goode delights in serving as a part-time lecturer for Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education.
WHO WE SERVE
GEF unlocks access barriers and creates opportunities for marginalized members of our community to reach their goals. We primarily serve historically underrepresented people within the Greater Newark, New Jersey area at this time, and strive to service more areas as we expand.
THE PLACES WE’LL GROW….OUR FUTURE
Our immediate goal is to sponsor access to career and college readiness programs for Greater NJ residents looking to pivot, reskill or join the workforce.
As we grow, the GEF dream is to give BIG. We have a multi-pronged vision to continually provide services and resources that sustain the community holistically. If the mayor can strive to employ 300 students a year via the Summer Youth Employment Program, we believe we can reach 10 times that amount including folks of all ages!
Think about it: Crayons get worn down, backpacks need to be replaced, notebooks get filled, and kids outgrow shoes. What if there were a one-stop shop — or frequent pop-up giveaways — that kept these supplies replenished throughout the school year?
HOW WILL THIS LOOK?
Driving through neighborhoods with the “Goode Deeds” truck, offering free resources and nourishment such as hot meals for the hungry and cold treats for kids in the summer
Providing scholarships, laptops, and tutoring
Partnering with vocational-technical (vo-tech) programs and high schools to get students certified in trades before graduation
Career pathing to activate long-term thinking around what happens after securing a job
Providing parenting support/family life skills education to help working parents balance the rigor of their career development pursuits
Creating teacher pipeline programs to fill the state and national teacher shortage and to increase diversity among educators
And this is just the start! With philanthropic dreams this big, there’s no way we can do it alone.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
DONATE
Your financial or in-kind donation is tax-deductible.
Sponsor a Student
We are often contacted by people of all ages who have the interest but lack the means to afford the expense of continuing education. Help us be a buffer to defray these costs.
SPREAD THE WORD
We are looking for grants and are open to strategic partners.
Check out how far we have come!!
WHERE YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL GO
GEF is still in the preliminary stages of fundraising. Though we designed a strategic plan after becoming incorporated, our efforts were halted due to COVID-19. Presently, our work is done remotely. Your contributions will assist us in securing a physical location to host workshops and become embedded within the community, where we are needed.
