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Press Releases

January 26, 2007

Goodwill to lead Workforce Development component of Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) in Muskegon County

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. (GIWM) was recently awarded work and funding for four service areas under the new Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI). The awards were announced at the Muskegon-Oceana Workforce Development Board meeting on December 19, 2006.

Goodwill Industries will administer the following services for the program for Muskegon County:
Workforce Development Services, Life Skills Program, Transportation, and Data Entry. The contract runs through September 30, 2007.

The primary goal of MPRI is to increase public safety by reducing crime. The initiative is a statewide strategic approach of delivering a seamless plan of services, programming, support and supervision to prisoners re-entering the community. In an effort to reduce the state’s high recidivism rate, the plan encompasses supports for jobs and training, housing, substance abuse, health care, and more.

Goodwill Industries is ideally positioned to receive the workforce development contract. GIWM has successfully operated a Community Corrections Employability Skills Program for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections Office of Community Corrections and the County of Muskegon since 2002. Goodwill Industries will partner with the Muskegon/Oceana Consortium’s network of Workforce Development Centers operated by the Muskegon Heights Schools, Family Services Center, Orchard View Schools, White Lake Schools and Goodwill Industries. In addition, Disability Connection will partner on addressing transportation needs for returning parolees.

“We’re excited to begin working with our community partners to engage prisoners preparing for parole through comprehensive pre-release planning and employment services. Every returning prisoner will have access to stable employment or services designed to help secure stable employment,” said Goodwill Industries of West Michigan President Richard Carlson.

The MPRI is a statewide collaborative effort administered through a public and private partnership. For more information, visit www.michpri.com

The mission of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. is to provide work opportunities and skill development for people with barriers to employment. For more information, visit: www. goodwillwm.org.

Contact
Liz Witzler , Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc.
(231) 722-7871
lwitzler@goodwillwm.org

Established in 1950, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. is a nonprofit human service organization that provides skill development and work opportunities for people with barriers to employment. In the year 2001, Goodwill served 4,367 persons.