Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.

Hello Everyone -

Michigan continues to set new, one-day records for coronavirus cases – infections have skyrocketed in the last two weeks, with Michigan surpassing 200,000 cases on Friday. The best way forward is STRICT adherence to all safety measures: wearing a mask correctly covering nose and mouth, washing your hands frequently, and keeping a safe physical distance.  I hope all of you are understanding the shifts we have made in precautions to keep all of us safe: cloth masks must be worn at all times unless you can reliably maintain 12 feet of distance between you and any other person or there is a barrier between you (ie. plexiglass or wall), and face shields can only be used instead of a mask for HR approved medical reasons. Stay safe!

GoodWorks is a new program offering that will prepare candidates for employment that couples classroom and work-based learning. Our Workforce Development department would like to start our first session on 11/16/2020 and is looking for participants. If you know someone who might benefit, please make your referrals to Trinell Payne or Jessica Flores.

E-commerce, the outlet, and salvage all had a strong September, while collectively our stores continue to struggle with hiring new staff, shortened hours for some, and storage of the continued strong donation stream. We have secured new leased warehouse space that will help relieve that pressure, and will allow us to empty the trailers we have been renting over that last six months.

We continue to increase our IT resources so that we can work effectively during this time. All stores now have webcams and everyone who has them should use them as often as possible. Using the camera reduces feelings of isolation, makes you more engaged, and moves meetings along because facial expressions help deepen understanding. Using cameras help us to continue to function more like a team, so please turn them on! Plus we get to see dogs. And babies. And cats. The joy in this can’t be underestimated.

Last week many of us participated in a pre-CARF event with a consultant from Goodwill Industries International. We reviewed all of our business practices and four CARF accredited services that we offer through Workforce Development. CARF is the organization that accredits us and they will be coming in the spring. Thanks to Ron Baugh and to GII for getting us prepared!

Our country had a free and fair election since last I wrote. Free and fair elections are the most fundamental principle of every healthy democracy, to ensure that government authority comes from the will of the people. More than 74 million Americans cast their vote for Joe Biden, and he and Kamala Harris are now the President and Vice-President Elect. In Kamala Harris we have many firsts – the first female VP, the first Black woman, the first Asian American, and the first bi-racial person to hold the second highest position in the country. Her voice will matter in every decision put forth by this administration, and therefore the voice of more of us will be heard. Representation matters. The election was close, however, and the work we have ahead of us to heal our national and societal ills like systemic racism is daunting. Today I have faith that we are up to the challenge.

My best –

Jeanette