Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
total people served in 2020
people placed into jobs within area businesses
program participants who worked and earned paychecks at Goodwill
Jul 13, 2021
Goodwill announces senior leadership changes
PRESS RELEASE
MUSKEGON, MI — 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. As in her former position as organizational development director, Garris will continue to provide leadership and forward momentum in the areas of strategic planning, performance metrics tracking, continuous quality improvement, and positive cultural development across the entirety of the organization.
“Kristin brings such depth of experience and vision to our organization and executive team,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “In her new role she will not only advocate for the growth and development of people we serve through our many job training programs and employment services, but equally for the advancement and well-being of our own employees. In her three short years with Goodwill, she has transformed our annual planning process and established a collective methodology for tracking our goals. She excels at team collaboration, problem solving, and program management.”
Goodwill Industries is also pleased to announce the recent hire of Nick Carlson as the agency’s new business development director effective July 12. In this newly created position, 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.
Carlson steps down from his position as vice president of operations at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids where he oversaw operations, program development, donated materials inventory, transportation, facilities and loss prevention, and contract management. He previously served as the agency’s director of environmental sustainability, leading the organization’s efforts in recycling and sustainability. His service with the agency spans 13 years.
“We are thrilled to have Nick join our team,” said Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “He fully understands the Goodwill business model and has lots of ideas and energy for growing our business lines. Sustainability is one of his passions and he is well-connected in the West Michigan environmental and recycling community. Our efforts in sustainability will grow exponentially with his leadership.”
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
Currently open by appointment only. Call 722-7871.
- Job search assistance
- Résumé development
- Career exploration
- GoodTemps application
- Resource assistance
Masks are required for entry.
271 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon
