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Press Releases

November 18, 2005

First "Goodwill House" to Open Doors to Homeless Family

Thanks to grant awards from the United Way of Muskegon County and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan has expanded its services to include transitional housing for homeless families.

In July, United Way of Muskegon County awarded Goodwill $12,600 to launch a Transitional Housing and Employment Services Program for homeless families in Muskegon.  In October, Goodwill received an additional $9,300 in support awarded from the Julia E. Hackley Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

Utilizing and refurbishing two homes Goodwill currently owns adjacent to its headquarter campus on Apple Avenue, Goodwill Industries will provide housing opportunities for up to six homeless families a year, with a focus on assisting these families to make a successful transition into steady employment and stable housing.

This program is designed to fill the transitional housing gap that exists for homeless families in the community. Goodwill’s program will provide the transition from emergency shelter housing — that typically runs up to a maximum of 90 days — to an additional 90 to 180 days of support to ensure successful placement in more stable housing and employment. In addition to transitional housing, participants will receive training in employability skills, and financial literacy, providing the tools and knowledge they may be lacking to achieve self-sufficiency. Job search and placement assistance will also be given.

“Often the 90 days of shelter provided by other programs is not adequate time to turn a family’s situation around,” said Goodwill President Richard Carlson. “This program will collaborate with other community homeless programs to take it to the next level by infusing it with our area of expertise which is helping people train for, find, and keep good jobs. We thank United Way and the Community Foundation for their support in helping us launch this important program.”

Goodwill’s first family will be placed in the first Goodwill House by Thanksgiving. The second home is currently being refurbished and will soon welcome a second family. 

Persons or organization wishing to donate new furniture, mattresses, or appliances to the program may call Goodwill at (231) 722-7871 for more information.

The United Way of Muskegon County’s mission is to unite the diverse elements of the community for the delivery of human services through assessing community needs, raising funds, allocating resources and encouraging voluntarism.
The Julia E. Hackley Fund was originally left to the City of Muskegon upon the death of Charles Hackley’s wife Julia in 1905. An Advisory Committee consisting of Muskegon city officials, residents, and Community Foundation Trustees makes grants from the fund according to the Hackleys’ wishes as stated in their wills: ”For the support, maintenance, and relief of the poor people of Muskegon.”

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. As a publicly supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from thousands of community citizens and organizations committed to the future of Muskegon County.

Contact:
Liz Witzler, Marketing Director
(231) 722-7871 x223

James Cherney, Director of Retail Operations
(231) 722-7871 x227