Goodwill Launches "License to Thrive" Program to Help Young Adults Reach Employment Through Transportation

WOOSTER, Ohio, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties is proud to announce the launch of License to Thrive, a new initiative designed to help young adults overcome transportation barriers and move closer to employment, education, and independence.

The program has been made possible through a $2,000 grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation and will provide financial assistance to eligible participants pursuing their driver's license.

For many young adults, not having a driver's license can make it difficult to get to work, attend training programs, or take advantage of new opportunities. License to Thrive was created to help remove that barrier by giving participants the support they need to take an important step toward self-sufficiency.

At Goodwill, employment is about more than finding a job. It is about identifying the obstacles that stand in the way and helping people overcome them.

Through License to Thrive, eligible participants will receive assistance with costs associated with earning their driver's license, creating new opportunities for employment and long-term success.

The initiative builds on Goodwill's longstanding work of helping young people overcome transportation barriers through partnerships with the Wayne County Department of Job and Family Services and other workforce development programs, while expanding those opportunities through the support of the Wayne County Community Foundation. Together, these efforts help more young people reach important milestones that open doors to brighter futures.

This project has been supported by a grant from Wayne County Community Foundation.

"One of the biggest challenges we see is that someone is ready to work, but they simply can't get there," said Jessica Strouse, Mission Services Director at Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties. "A driver's license can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward. We're incredibly grateful to the Wayne County Community Foundation for helping us remove that barrier and giving more young adults the opportunity to build a brighter future."

While the program is just beginning, Goodwill looks forward to sharing the stories of participants whose lives are changed through License to Thrive in the months ahead.

Every opportunity begins with removing a barrier.

Together, through partnerships like this, we can help more individuals gain the tools they need to thrive.

To learn more about License to Thrive and other Goodwill programs, or to apply for services, visit www.goodwillconnect.org/programs.

Contact Information:

Casey McGrady

Director of Marketing

Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Inc.

Phone: (330) 287-5048 / Mobile: (330) 464-7399

Email: [email protected] 

SOURCE Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties