Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
total people served in 2021
people placed into jobs within area businesses
program participants who worked and earned paychecks at Goodwill
Learn more about what Goodwill does.
Employee Spotlight: Lori Ostrander
Lori has been a Goodwill employee for nearly eleven years and we are extremely grateful to have her on the team.
Business Development Director named Innovator of the Year
The annual award recognizes and celebrates the most innovative ideas of the lakeshore area. Nick Carlson championed and coordinated Goodwill’s unique joint-venture partnership with HydroBlox Technologies, a plastics recycling company that manufactures products that aid in stormwater drainage infrastructure.
HydroBlox Technologies and Goodwill Industries of West Michigan announce plastic recycling partnership
“In keeping with Goodwill’s focus on sustainability and the triple-bottom line, we are excited to launch a new business line that diverts landfill-bound plastic, while also providing good-paying jobs,” GIWM President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer said.
Goodwill stores become learning adventures!
Goodwill has partnered with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) to create “Talking is Teaching” learning sites in several Goodwill retail store locations. Parents can engage with their children while they shop by interacting with the campaign’s colorful floor decals, rack signs, posters, and wall graphics. Children receive a free book to take home.
Watch Video
A special Launch Party is planned for April 6 at the Muskegon-Sherman store.
Your support fosters new programs and services!
As we reach the end of another challenging year we reflect with gratitude on our resiliency and recovery, and the special help of donors. Not only did we survive another year of COVID-19, staff shortages, and uncertainties, we have several new initiatives to celebrate and, with you, look forward to their continued growth.
Would you be able to make a financial gift of $200, $100, $50, or the amount of your choosing, to support our effort of changing lives through the power of work? We are so grateful for your support.
Give your time. Change a life.
Become a Goodwill VITA volunteer!
Goodwill VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers provide free tax assistance to low- to moderate-income workers and families eligible for significant state and federal tax credits.
Make a difference! Help working people claim and keep all the refunds they are entitled to.
No accounting experience required! Volunteers receive FREE IRS training and certification.
Flexible hours! You can volunteer for day, evening, and/or Saturday hours in any of our tax-prep sites.
Call 231-722-7871, ext. 8482 for more information.
Success Story: Bruce
After spending 30 years in prison, Bruce returned to a town he didn’t recognize and faced the daunting task of starting a new life. Goodwill’s Offender Success (OS) program worked with Bruce to define and achieve the goals he set for himself.
“Thanks to Goodwill, I have been given a new opportunity,” he said.
Senior leadership changes announced
Kristin Garris was recently promoted to chief workforce officer, a new position that oversees Goodwill’s workforce development and human resources departments, as well as GoodTemps Staffing Solutions.
Goodwill Industries is also pleased to announce the recent hire of Nick Carlson as the agency’s new business development director. Carlson will provide operational oversight and business development of Goodwill’s Janitorial Services and Industrial Services business-to-business contracts, as well as lead the organization’s sustainability and recycling initiatives.
Virtual awards ceremony shared with community
Goodwill’s Achievers of the Year in-person celebration was cancelled again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We enlisted the help of Andy O’Reilly and Derek Wong from the Muskegon Channel to record a virtual event. We taped each award winner separately and safely, and then stitched them together with our video achiever profiles recorded back in March of 2020.
Congratulations to Achievers of the Year: Kawan, Tim, Quentin, and Hailey; Employer Partners of the Year: Northway Lanes, SRS Fiberglass, and McDonald’s of Hart; Contract Partner of the Year: Spectrum Health; and Volunteer of the Year: Susanne McGee.
View the awards ceremony video and the individual stories from our Achievers of the Year page:
Achievers of the Year
Each year we celebrate community members who overcame adversity through the power of work, and the employers who supported them.
GIWM named regional facilitator hub for MI Tri-Share Child Care Program
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is a new innovative approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families. The “tri-share” model splits the cost of child care three-ways — between state funding, employers enrolled in the program, and eligible employees.
New electronics room in Apple Avenue store
On March 1, the Goodwill retail store at 1501 E. Apple Avenue opened a new "Electronics Room" in a previously unused space just off their regular sales floor.
"Previously owed desktop and laptop computers, stereo systems, speakers, TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, video game systems, PC parts, and more, are for all for sale at great prices," said E-Commerce Manager Adam Kragt.
"It's an excellent resource for customers," added Team Leader Clayton Burch. "Everything has been completely tested and ready to go for customers."
Check out the WZZM-TV video story with Jon Mills here:
View our annual report
Our 2020 annual report recognizes a year of providing community support as well as achievements in our business, our culture, and in changing lives through the power of work. The annual report also recognizes the four 2019-20 Achievers of the Year and tells their stories.
View our annual report pdf.
Goodwill is Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Goodwill Career Center
Are you looking for a job and need assistance?
This community job resource center provides employment services and related supports to people looking for work, or those seeking help in advancing their careers.
- Job search assistance
- Résumé development
- Interview coaching
- Career exploration
- Training opportunities
- Basic computer training
- Financial coaching
- Resource referrals
- Workplace readiness
Call or visit today to set up an appointment with a Goodwill career coach!
Appointments are encouraged but not required.
(231) 722-7871
Open Monday-Friday, 1am-4pm.
271 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon
