Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
total people served in 2022
people placed into jobs within area businesses
program participants who worked and earned paychecks at Goodwill
Nov 30, 2019
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 explore her capabilities.
When she came to Goodwill, Hadley had very limited work experience. “She loves volunteering, but she never held a real job.” said Goodwill Employment Specialist Tabatha Glezman. Together, Hadley and Goodwill would change that.
Tabatha set up a job evaluation for Hadley at the Shop-N-Save Food Center in Ludington. During the evaluation, Tabatha worked with Hadley to learn how to face shelves which meant bringing product forward to make shelves look neat and full. As she learned, Hadley’s ability to stay on task and perform the job requested were assessed. She worked hard. Within one month Hadley secured employment in the stocking department at Shop-N-Save where she continues to stock and face shelves.
After she was hired, Tabatha worked with her Shop-N-Save supervisor to set hours that worked best for Hadley who lives with her parents. Along with Goodwill services, Hadley was assigned job coaching services through partner organization Michigan Rehabilitation Services. The job coach assisted Hadley with staying on task, understanding break times, and learning how to use the time clock. She did so well, that after one month, she no longer needed the job coach.
Even though Hadley did her job well, she sometimes had difficulty interacting appropriately with others. Tabatha worked closely with Shop-N-Save and Hadley’s mother Mary Ann to learn how to help Hadley when she became upset. This extra investment from Hadley’s employer and family has been instrumental in her success and she continues to do very well.
“She comes home and expresses she liked her job,” Mary Ann said. “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.”
Tabatha still checks in on Hadley from time-to-time and finds Hadley happy in her position and always working hard.
“It seems this new position is a perfect fit for Hadley,” Tabatha said. “She gets high praise from her employer and coworkers. They love the work that Hadley is doing.”
Hadley’s parents now have every confidence in their daughter’s abilities. Mary Ann says this is thanks to Goodwill. “Goodwill believed in her ability to be successful on the job even when I had doubts.”
Supported Employment
Targeted primarily toward people with developmental disabilities or mental impairment, this model of service provides one-on-one training and on-going support for a successful transition to community-based employment. The program combines community job development, job coaching, and long-term follow-up to maximize employment potential. Participants are referred through Michigan Rehabilitation Services.
Success Story: Kaylyn
Kaylyn’s career coach, saw something special about her from the beginning. “Kaylyn has a strong desire to succeed. She's hungry, and once she finds her thing, she'll be a world changer,” Joe said.
“Goodwill placed me in a work experience that was focused on assembly which not only helped me learn to work as a member of a team, but also show me the importance each person on that team,” said Kaylyn.
Employee Spotlight: Jaime Hughes
Jaime brings enthusiasm and an eagerness for learning to her work as accounts payable specialist at our corporate headquarters. Employed at Goodwill for 3 years, Jaime began her career with Goodwill working in our electronics recycling department before transitioning to her current role.
Jaime loves it at Goodwill. “I like the people here. They are very human. I’ve never worked at a place like this before – it’s so great.”
Business Development Director named Innovator of the Year
The annual award recognizes and celebrates the most innovative ideas of the lakeshore area. Nick Carlson championed and coordinated Goodwill’s unique joint-venture partnership with HydroBlox Technologies, a plastics recycling company that manufactures products that aid in stormwater drainage infrastructure.
HydroBlox Technologies and Goodwill Industries of West Michigan announce plastic recycling partnership
“In keeping with Goodwill’s focus on sustainability and the triple-bottom line, we are excited to launch a new business line that diverts landfill-bound plastic, while also providing good-paying jobs,” GIWM President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer said.
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.
