MIAMI, Fla. (June 5, 2025) – With high school graduation ceremonies happening across South Florida this week, many students are asking: “What’s next?” For students with disabilities, that question can come with added stress. That’s where Goodwill South Florida’s STEP Forward Program comes in.
Offered at no cost to eligible participants, the Skill-building, Training, Empowerment, and a Pathway Forward Program (STEP) is a virtual summer career exploration program for youth with disabilities, focused on building confidence, skills, and career readiness. It provides career exposure, mentorship and real-world work experience in a supportive environment that meets each student where they are.
The program includes in-person sessions at the Goodwill South Florida headquarters in Miami, including meetups for orientation and graduation. The STEP Forward serves 30 students ages 15 to 21 from Miami-Dade and Broward counties per cohort, and limited spots remain for this summer.
“Students with disabilities often leave high school without a clear next step,” said Darrell Cunningham, Vice President of Mission Services at Goodwill South Florida. “The STEP Forward Center gives them not just direction, but the tools and experience to move forward with purpose.”
Each program participant benefits from:
- A personalized career plan
- Hands-on workshops and job site visits
- Digital literacy and soft skills training
- Support from mentors and career counselors
The program follows the Opportunity Accelerator™ framework, helping each student plan, prepare and launch their next phase, whether they choose to move forward with work, further training or both.
The summer cohort will begin the program on July 7. Committed to setting participants up for success, Goodwill South Florida provides each participant with a laptop upon completion of the program.
To learn more about the program or submit an application, visit https://goodwillsouthflorida.org/step-forward-center/.
About Goodwill South Florida
Goodwill South Florida, serving Miami, Broward and Monroe counties, is the 17th largest employer in South Florida. The non-profit’s mission is the training, employment and job placement of people with disabilities and other barriers to work; helping individuals increase productivity and achieve greater independence. The agency provides disability services to over 7,400 South Floridians. Goodwill engages in a unique social enterprise model that funds mission services and employment for over 3,000 persons. Although most known for its Goodwill donation centers and retail stores, the organization’s other entrepreneurial businesses include Ryder Apparel Manufacturing, Custodial Services, Laundry Services and Third Party Logistics Solutions, which train and employ a large number of people, while providing mission funding. Goodwill South Florida is one of the most cost-effective non-profits in the U.S with 96 percent of its budget going directly to programs that are aimed at people with disabilities and other barriers to work. For more information, please visit goodwillsouthflorida.org or visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram
