Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
total people served in 2019
people placed into competitive employment
program participants who worked and earned paychecks at Goodwill
Nov 21, 2019
Success Story
Amber
Prior to coming to Goodwill, Amber had some community work experience, but her employment always ended abruptly. It was the hope of her service coordinator at Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) that she gain additional skills that would help her hold onto a job when she was referred to Goodwill’s Janitorial Occupational Training (JOT) program.
“When Amber came to us she was gregarious and quick to smile,” said Goodwill Janitorial Services Manager Kathy Harris. “She has a sarcastic sense of humor, and enjoyed laughing and joking.”
Amber is very self-sufficient. She is able to drive and often picks up her younger brother, helps her grandmother with shopping, and helps her mother at home.
When training began, Amber was clearly able to understand and hold onto the material presented to her but supervisors began to notice some attention-seeking behaviors. She also revealed a tendency to cry easily when anyone had to redirect her behavior or tasks had to be repeated for quality. Arguments with team members began, and Amber was often described as being “bossy” or oversensitive. In addition to having some issues on the job, Amber’s personal life was strained when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment.
Her Goodwill trainers worked through these momentary missteps, and Amber began to thrive in the program. She still required support in order to be successful, but she was cleaning very well and building a positive team energy with her co-workers. When an opening on the janitorial mobile crew began available, Goodwill offered Amber a position.
Once the newness of the position wore off, Amber’s behavioral problems reappeared and she began to struggle with her work assignments. Things became so tense her teammates didn’t want to work with her. Amber received a couple of corrective action write-ups, and things began to look bleak for the likelihood of her remaining employed.
In a final attempt to help Amber recognize and change her difficult behavior, Kathy sat down with Amber and they wrote a personal improvement plan together. Amber accepted the specific items identified for improvement and began to work on her behaviors. She also sought some outside counseling for herself to work on personal issues that were bothering her.
“What was really amazing and unusual was what happened next,” Kathy said. “It took about three weeks but we all noticed results … fewer arguments among the crew, less stress and daily upsets, and Amber’s job performance required less and less rework and redirection. Finally, I started to hear positive compliments from her supervisors and coworkers. That was a turning point. This was not a temporary change either. Amber was in a positive growth spurt! She began to ask about what she needed to do to improve further, and how she would be able to get a promotion.”
In June, Goodwill Janitorial Services secured a new contract with Hackley Public Library. In the beginning, staff were rotated on the assignment, but because Amber could drive and was looking for an opportunity to advance, she was awarded the job as an independent cleaner.
Amber learned every aspect of the assignment and takes pride in the quality of her work. She also learned how to track her mileage, lock up and secure the building, and be responsible with the keys. Now the lead on the project, Amber even services the library on Saturdays with a teammate. She is doing an exceptional job cleaning, as well as setting the alarms correctly, and also performing a myriad of security steps back at Goodwill headquarters after the assignment.
“Amber proved to herself and to us that she is able to handle the responsibility consistently,” Kathy said. “We are all very proud of her commitment, her growth, and her tenacity to step forward on her own behalf.”
Amber now cites working with others as her favorite part about her job. “Goodwill is a good place to work and to find balance with yourself,” she said. Her advice to others who face challenges on the job is to “be yourself and try your best.”
Goodwill seeks Americorps worker
Goodwill Industries is currently recruiting an AmeriCorps member to help with its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. AmeriCorps is a great opportunity for a college student to help others by serving to meet critical needs of our community while also gaining professional work experience and earning money. The position begins in January and runs through July. Applications go through the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM).
For more information and to APPLY ONLINE visit:
October 28, 2020
Message from the president
New No Exceptions Mask Policy
The safety of our customers and employees is paramount. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, we have implemented a new “no exceptions” mask policy effective immediately at all of our locations.
We view this new directive as a positive measure, as it strengthens our efforts to provide a safe environment, and bolsters confidence — from both our customers and employees — that our stores are a safe place to shop and work.
For the people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask, we apologize, and ask that you not shop in our stores until we are through this difficult time. We do offer an online shopping experience through www.shopgoodwill.com. We have increased our ecommerce staff to provide an expanded selection of items for sale on the site.
The no exceptions mask policy also extends to our Career Center and Employment and Training Center. Remote service options are available for persons with medical conditions who are unable to wear a mask.
On behalf of Goodwill, we thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we strive to protect the health and well-being of our customers, program participants, and employees.
Jeanette Hoyer
President and CEO
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.
View our annual report
Although 2019 seems like a distant memory and reflects a vastly different landscape from where we are now, we would be remiss not to recognize this important year of growth and achievements in our business, our culture, and in changing lives through the power of work.
View our annual report pdf.
Goodwill is Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Goodwill Career Center REOPENED
M-F: 10am – 3pm or by appointment. Call 722-7871 to check in before entry.
- Job search assistance
- Résumé development
- Career exploration
- GoodTemps application
- Resource assistance
Masks are required for entry.
271 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon
Message from the president
We need to talk about the protests that are happening in our country and the underlying issue of racism. I write this because it is my responsibility as president to promote the vision and values of our organization.
Goodwill Industries partners with local hospitals to collect and distribute protective gear for health care workers
Goodwill reopened seven of its donation drive-thrus to serve as designated donation drop-off sites for urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE).
Success Story: Cedric
Life is all about choices. This is Cedric’s mantra. After his fourth incarceration, Cedric woke up one day and made a conscious choiceto change his life. In February of 2019 he began that change at Goodwill as a participant in the Pay It Back program.
Cedric held jobs prior to incarceration but was always lured back into life on the streets. “My life was full of ups and downs due to living the fast life,” he said.
As part of the program, Cedric was enrolled in Goodwill’s Work Experience Training in Goodwill’s Industrial Services Centerwhere he developed valuable work skills while earning a paycheck. Cedric learned various light industrial tasks such as packaging and assembly work contracted with area businesses.
Learn about Cedric’s full progression from program participant to full-time employment readiness trainer at Goodwill where he mentors others following the same journey.
Success Story: Hadley
Hadley’s parents were not sure if their autistic daughter could be successful in a “regular job.” After finishing high school, Hadley was referred to Goodwill’s Supported Employment program by Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) to develop her employment readiness skills. Her Goodwill case manager was able to find Hadley a stocking position at the Shop-N-Save Food Center in Ludington. After some time and job coaching, she now works independently. “She is happy because it allows her to see many people in her community and they always tell her she’s doing a good job. I believe it makes her feel productive,” her mother said.
Visitor entrance for Career Center services and GoodTemps
To better serve the community, all visitors will park and enter through the Apple Avenue entrance of our headquarter facility.
Career Center services and GoodTemps temporary staffing services have moved to the front of the building and use the main entrance. The current rear entrance off Sophia will no longer be used.
