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
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.
PRESS RELEASE
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) 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.
“We are so grateful to EGLE for their support of this exciting new enterprise,” Goodwill Business Development Director Nick Carlson said. “We have the opportunity to significantly reduce the amount of plastic going into our local landfills, while creating useful products, and providing good-paying jobs.”
Goodwill’s startup with HydroBlox Technologies, will manufacture “planks” made of 100% plastic to be used in stormwater management projects such as road construction, retaining walls, hydroponic farms, solar fields, green roofs, and other applications. Goodwill is currently in the process of purchasing an 80,000-square-foot building in Muskegon County with plans to produce and distribute HydroBlox products by late 2022.
“The work EGLE is doing to advance recycling through grants and its relationships with groups such as NextCycle Michigan, Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (MISBF), and the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC), is truly helping to change the landscape of recycling in Michigan. I am so proud of the collaborative effort and commitment to advancing recycling in our state,” Carlson said.
EGLE’s Recycling Market Development Grants are designed to create new markets or expand existing markets and create supply chains for recycled materials. They also aim to assist businesses that manufacture, market, and use recycled-content products.
For more information on HydroBlox Technologies, visit www.hydroblox.com
← Return - News
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.”
Success Story: Valerie
Valerie came to Goodwill’s Career Center looking for help in securing a job. She needed to earn money to maintain her livelihood and avoid foreclosure on her home.
Valerie’s advice for others seeking work is to visit the Goodwill Career Center. “I always tell them to call Goodwill,” Valerie said. “I tell them how I was treated. Thank you, LaTonya, personally for helping me.”
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.
Call 231-722-7871, ext. 8482 for more information.
