Oct 18, 2023
Success Story
Edward
Edward Genson came to Goodwill in December 2022. “My life was misguided and unsatisfying. I was trying to find employment and a safe place to live,” Edward said.
Edward was referred to Goodwill from the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and enrolled in Goodwill’s Offender Success (OS) Economic Stability program. The program assists parolees returning from MDOC with employment assistance, including work experience training and job placement. Each participant is supported by a Goodwill career coach who provides job-readiness coaching, job-placement support, and follow-up services for 12 months after placement (often longer because of the relationships that are established). The career coach provides ongoing support to both the program participant and the employer to ensure success on the job.
After learning about Edward and his situation, Goodwill Career Coach Greg Borgman worked with him to prepare him for employment. “He wasted no time and was aggressive about becoming gainfully employed,” Greg said. Within a month, Edward received a job offer as a plenum operator at SRS Fiberglass in Muskegon.
“Goodwill gave me names of places that would help me. They helped me write my résumé and the interview coaching was a great learning experience,” Edward said.
“He has an incredible attitude,” Greg said. “He took all of my recommendations well. He was incredibly respectful and was verbally grateful for our help in the entire process with job development.”
In June — less than six months after landing the job at SRS Fiberglass — Edward was promoted to supervisor. His employer describes him as being incredibly hardworking, and attributes his work ethic, and diligent efforts to learn and be successful to his promotion. Edward is humble and thankful for the opportunity. When asked what he likes most about the job, Edward said, “Everything! The hours, the pay, the responsibility of everyday things. I have way more confidence now than before I came to Goodwill.”
Edward’s advice to others struggling to find or keep work is, “Do your job, show up, and do what is asked of you. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
“Thank you, Goodwill, for all you do for others and myself. I don’t know what would have happened without Goodwill.”
Offender Success
The Offender Success program (formerly called Prisoner Reentry) is a state-wide strategic approach to creating safer neighborhoods and better citizens through the delivery of a seamless plan of services, programming, support, and supervision for prisoners re-entering the community. Program participants are referred by the Michigan Department of Corrections Parole Board.