Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.

Good Afternoon, Everyone –

My greatest hope is that this finds you all well. I have been thinking a lot about the impact of all of this on our mental health. As humans, we generally need some ability to be in control and to make decisions, we need a sense of community and connection to others, and we need a sense of purpose and effectiveness. This crisis negatively impacts all of that for most of us, and it can leave us feeling at the mercy of others and of uncontrollable and unseen forces. Depression and anxiety are natural responses in this circumstance. 

In spite of all this, there are things we do have control over. We can honor the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and go out for only our most urgent needs. Doing so is the only way that we can stop the threat in its tracks. When we do go out for groceries, or work that is critically important, or to walk the dog, we can control how well we adhere to precaution guidelines.  At home we can find daily things we can control, whether that be in calling a family member who is alone, cleaning out a closet, playing a game with our kids, or checking something off on our to-do list. When we focus on what we can control, it helps us to move forward through our days with a little more purpose and a sense of well-being.

At Goodwill, we are doing the same. Our retail store management continues to handle donations that are being illegally left at our doors. Transportation began helping Spectrum with redistributing PPE (personal protective equipment) yesterday. New work in Industrial Services includes an opportunity to clean and disinfect the totes that have been used to transport PPE.  We have cancelled our Achievers of the Year luncheon in May, and will look to reschedule this in late summer or fall. VITA staff is working on establishing a date to resume tax work, and GoodTemps is concentrating on developing relationships with local big box stores in order to support their need for staff and to offer opportunities to our people who have been laid off. 

We are staying very aware of the legislation that is being passed, and tracking all of the possibilities, different pieces and parts of legislation, and opportunities that arise that would be helpful to our staff. We are committed to making decisions that have the greatest positive impact for the most people in an environment that is constantly changing and incredibly complex. I am very aware that there are some of our staff who are not eligible for unemployment, and that some are already dealing with financial hardships. We continue to refine how we are going to provide targeted assistance through the Employee Assistance Fund in light of the new proposed legislation and will distribute funds so as to help the most of you in most immediate need.  We care about what is happening to all of you during this time of uncertainty.

Those still working are in good spirits, and are touching base with all staff through group chats, phone calls, and texting.  I am hearing that already many of you can’t wait to get back to work! You miss your co-workers, the family you have found at Goodwill, and your sense of purpose in working each day as part of an organization that serves a greater good. We can’t wait for that day! In the meantime, this is the first of Friday updates from me. You can sign up with our new text message system to get an alert and link when they come out. Text GIWM to 484848 to sign up!

Jeanette