Feb 12, 2021

New Goodwill van to provide transportation for ex-offender services

Through a collaboration of generous community donors, Goodwill recently received a 12-passenger van that will assist with work-related transportation needs.

“We are so grateful to Bryan Betten and Chris Baker of Betten Baker Auto, Max McKee and The Mart Dock, and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous,” said Goodwill CEO and President Jeanette Hoyer. “We appreciate their faith in our mission of helping people in our community overcome barriers to employment.”

“The van will mainly be used for transporting participants enrolled in one of our programs designed to help people previously involved with the justice system,” said Goodwill Program Manager Dina Butler.

Goodwill operates a number of local, state, and federal programs specifically designed to help formerly incarcerated persons secure employment and successfully transition back to the community. Programs include: Offender Success (OS), Goodwill LifeLaunch: Ignite Reentry program, and Empowering Ex-Offenders in Transition (EXIT), as well as a partnership with the Muskegon County jail’s community work program Pay-it-Back. 

“Transportation is often a final barrier to employment,” Butler said. “This van will allow us to close that initial transportation gap if needed, but each participant will have a plan that includes a path to self-sufficient transportation like buying a car or getting their license back. The van will also allow us to help participants explore employment opportunities in other locations such as Holland and Grand Haven.”

Photo caption: Pictured (L to R): Betten Baker Auto Sales Consultant Colby Beckstrom, Owners Bryan Betten and Chris Baker, and Goodwill staff Greg Borgman, Dina Butler, and Shannon Judson.