Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
people were provided workforce development and support services in 2024
people placed into competitive jobs in the community
average hourly wage ($) of people placed into jobs through Goodwill
Feb 12, 2020
Goodwill supports local reading programs with book donations
PRESS RELEASE
MUSKEGON, MI — Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) has partnered with Muskegon Area Intermediate School District’s “Read Early. Read Often.” (RERO) initiative in support of improving child literacy rates in West Michigan. Goodwill has committed to donating much-needed children’s books to RERO in support of their outreach programs and collaborating partners.
“Less than 40% of Muskegon County students reach adequate literacy level by third grade,” said Goodwill Resource Development Coordinator Kimberly Harsch. “Without an early strong foundation in reading, children are left behind at the beginning of their education and struggle to catch up. Goodwill knows that education is critical to earning higher wages in adulthood and in combating the cycle of poverty. It is imperative that children in the communities we serve are given every opportunity to be successful in their education so they can be set on a path to obtaining meaningful and self-sustaining employment.”
Goodwill’s supply of books are generously donated by the community for sale in its 18 retail locations. The revenue from the sale of these donated books supports Goodwill’s employment and training programs. Books that remain unsold after being in the stores need to be evaluated for quality, cleaned, and sorted into appropriate age groups. Once books are sorted, Read Early. Read Often. distributes them to non-traditional locations such as community services centers, after school programs, food pantries, doctor’s offices, and free book stores.
On February 1, Goodwill hosted its first book donation event at its headquarter facility. High school volunteers from Mona Shores Interact Club, Muskegon Public Schools, Oakridge Interact Club, Orchard View Interact Club, Pathfinders of Muskegon, and United Way of the Lakeshore joined forces to sort, wash, label, and package 1,333 books that were then donated to Read Early. Read Often. Books from the event also supported the newly formed, student-led “Reading Buddies United” program that matches trained student volunteers to read one-on-one with children in the community.
“We plan to expand on this initial book sorting event to a monthly occurrence,” Harsch said. “We hope to get as many books to kids who need them as we possibly can.”
If you would like to volunteer, or have locations that could use books for children, please contact Kimberly Harsch of Goodwill at (231) 722-7871 x 1057 or Allison Keessen of MAISD’s Read Early. Read Often. at (231) 767-7285.
If you are a student who would like to volunteer for the Reading Buddies United program, contact Dominique Bunker at United Way of the Lakeshore at (231) 332-4006.
Success Story: Keeria
Working with her Goodwill Career Coach, Keeria was provided job-readiness coaching, interview preparation, résumé assistance, and job-placement support.
View our annual report
Our 2024 annual report recognizes a year of providing community support as well as achievements in our business, our culture, and in changing lives through the power of work.
View our annual report pdf.
Employee Spotlight: Amanda Klug
Amanda began her journey with us at the Ellis store as a part-time associate, and through her dedication, she has become cross-trained in nearly all aspects of retail store operations. Her love for her job and the positive energy she brings to the team are truly inspiring.
“I see the difference Goodwill is making in the community,” Amanda says. “There are so many stories of how Goodwill has impacted people’s lives 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.
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.
