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
Oct 2, 2023
Employee Spotlight: Harold Brown
Maintenance Manager
Years of service: 10
JOIN US in celebrating Harold Brown as our Employee Spotlight Feature. As maintenance manager, Harold is a team-player, supportive, and held in high-esteem by his fellow employees. Employed at Goodwill for ten years, “Harold has this unwavering, cool and calm demeanor that even in the worst of situations he remains level headed focusing on the solution,” said Ryan Risley, operations director.
Harold is an exceptional leader who shows kindness and compassion to his team and everyone we serve. “Be kind to one another… get up, go to work, treat people with kindness, go home … repeat.”
Harold’s greatest role models are his parents Harold Brown Sr. and Darlene Brown who have been married for sixty-five years. Harold has always done handyman “stuff” with his dad. “If Dad was working on a car, it meant I was working on a car.”
Something people may not know about Harold; he used to drag race at Thunderbird Raceway and built his own cars. He still has a ’55 Oldsmobile 88. It’s red and white and he loves to take it for Sunday drives with his wife, Karen. Harold recently discovered a love for gardening and birdwatching; he especially loves the sound of the Whippoorwill.
Harold’s guilty pleasure is donuts. “I’ve never met a donut I didn’t love.”
In closing, Harold said he’s never worked at a place as great as Goodwill – “I love it here.”
Thank you, Harold, for all you do!
Employee Spotlight: Manika Banks
As receptionist, Manika is the first person people see when they walk in the door. Her caring demeanor helps clients and participants feel at ease.
Manika expresses, “I love the people I meet every day working at Goodwill. I enjoy having the opportunity to directly impact lives and change the outcome of someone’s day for the better.”
Achievers of the Year
At the Achievers Awards we celebrate community members who overcame adversity through the power of work, and the employers who supported them.
Success Story: Billy
Billy walked through the doors seeking work specifically in the janitorial field. Billy’s biggest obstacle to employment was lack of work experience but he was determined and eager to begin receiving a regular paycheck.
“He steps up to help teammates when they are struggling and is always seeking ways to improve efficiency,” says Goodwill Janitorial Manager Amy Cumings.
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.
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.
Goodwill is Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
