Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
people were provided workforce development and support services in 2023
people placed into competitive jobs in the community
average hourly wage ($) of people placed into jobs through Goodwill
News
The Sustainability Champion Award celebrates leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the “Triple Bottom Line” principles of people, planet, and prosperity. Hoyer’s receipt of this award underscores her dedication to advancing sustainable practices and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship within the community.
The grant allows Goodwill Industries of West Michigan to provide programming to support employment and reemployment of at-risk individuals, and to remove barriers to employment for low-income Michiganders.
Goodwill Industries International was recently named as one of the nation’s top 100 charitable organizations in The Nonprofit Times coveted ranking for 2023.
“Talking is Teaching” is a national public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions — like describing things while walking outside, singing songs together during bath time, or shopping at a Goodwill store!
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is pleased to announce the recent hire of Steven Jackson as the nonprofit agency’s new retail operations director.
Goodwill was awarded a $100,000 Community Impact Grant and an additional $2,500 gift in support of its new plastic recycling initiative with HydroBlox Technologies.
Goodwill was recently awarded a $500,000 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Market Development Grant in support of its new joint-venture, plastic recycling initiative with HydroBlox Technologies.
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.
Goodwill’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Services of West Michigan program processed a total of 1,750 free income tax returns for eligible low- to moderate-income individuals and families this past tax season, resulting in nearly $3 million to the West Michigan community.
“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.
April's talents include strategic planning, budgeting, marketing research, digital advertising, and social media.
The new store will be brighter and more open with new lighting, flooring, a glass vestibule, and more.
Goodwill is partnering with the MAISD and their “Read early. Read often.” program to create learning opportunities for young children in several Goodwill retail store locations.
Increased earmarked funding from the State of Michigan recently resulted in an expansion to the MI Tri-Share Child Care pilot program launched in March.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan received its 16th consecutive, three-year accreditation from CARF International through a rigorous peer-review process.
Changes to leadership include Kristin Garris, who was recently promoted to chief workforce officer, and Nick Carlsonas, who was recently hired as the agency’s new business development director.
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.
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.
Through a collaboration of generous community donors, Goodwill recently received a 12-passenger van that will assist with work-related transportation needs.
Muskegon is one of four cities nationwide to participate in the new Goodwill LifeLaunch: Ignite reentry program, which is designed to provide job skills and career training services for those ages 18 to 24 with a past criminal history.
Goodwill donation centers and stores in Michigan announced safety plans and precautions as they plan for reopening June 4, 2020, following Governor Whitmer's order.
Goodwill reopened seven of its donation drive-thrus to serve as designated donation drop-off sites for urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE).
Goodwill has committed to donating much-needed children’s books to RERO in support of their outreach programs and collaborating partners
Goodwill is pleased to announce their commitment to opening a child care center within its headquarter facility located in Muskegon.
The event offers free financial workshops and helps Muskegon area residents connect to information on free tax income assistance, banking, financial counseling, and other resources. Free food and drinks will be available along with the chance to win prizes.
The VITA program helps people claim and keep all the refunds they are entitled to, including significant state and federal tax credits they might not be aware of.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan will be opening its first outlet store inside the former Kmart building at 1501 East Apple Avenue in Muskegon Township.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is pleased to announce the recent hire of Dan Broersma as the nonprofit agency’s new environmental sustainability manager.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is planning a Grand Re-Opening Celebration at its Whitehall store on Friday, December 7 at 9:00 a.m. Festivities include a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, prize drawings, and refreshments.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer was recently elected to serve on the Goodwill Enterprise Sustainability Program (G-ESP) Steering Committee. The initiative was formed in 2007 by Goodwill Industries International (GII), a network of 161 independent, local Goodwill organizations throughout North American, as well as a presence in 13 other countries.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan recently received a combined $32,000 in support of its MoneyWorks programming which includes free tax preparation services (also known as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA) and other financial services such as budgeting, debt management, banking, and more.
Chad has held leadership roles in numerous manufacturing fields and is well-versed in quality systems, continuous improvement, and safety regulations.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Services for West Michigan – a coalition of area nonprofit organizations led by Goodwill Industries – provided free income tax returns for eligible low- to moderate-income individuals and families this past tax season. Trained and IRS-certified volunteers processed 2,791 returns resulting in $3.4 million to the West Michigan community.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. (GIWM) recently received its 15th consecutive, three-year accreditation from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) International. The award includes both Goodwill service-delivery locations — its Corporate Headquarters in Muskegon, as well as the Goodwill Employment & Training Center in Holland.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is pleased to announce the recent hire of Kristin Garris as the nonprofit agency’s new human resources director effective March 19.
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan was recently awarded a $213,678 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the purchase of two handicap-accessible mini-vans and two light-duty buses. These vehicles will be used to transport individuals with disabilities to job sites, community outings, and local events.
Success Story: Caleb
Caleb’s journey with Goodwill has been nothing short of inspiring. Caleb embarked on a path of skill building that illuminated his determination and kindness. Caleb’s dedication shone through every task.
“Caleb is an extremely hard worker, and he is ready to take on new responsibilities,” says his Career Coach, Meg Barry.
Hoyer receives international sustainability award
Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer receives the prestigious Goodwill Industries International Sustainability Champion Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to advancing sustainable practices and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship within the community.
Employee Spotlight: Kathy Krajkiewicz
For Kathy, Goodwill isn’t just a workplace — it’s her second home. Through her employment at Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Kathy has achieved the dream of homeownership. Kathy’s infectious laughter and smile illuminate every room she enters.
Kathy shares her wisdom: “Find a job and get something you like – like I have at Goodwill.”
Goodwill awarded Barrier Removal and Employment Success grant
Goodwill was recently awarded a $568,595 Barrier Removal and Employment Success (BRES) grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to provide vocational certificate training in HVAC, forklift, and customer service.
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.