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

Good Afternoon —

On Friday, the Governor extended the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 28, but modified it to be “Stay Safer at Home.” It allows for nonessential manufacturing and construction to open as long as it can be done safely – maintaining six feet of distance between people, using face shields and masks when six feet cannot be maintained, and performing daily health screenings with all staff, to name a few of the requirements. These are all things that we have already been preparing for and putting into play as parts of our business open. As the time arrives for each part of Goodwill to re-engage, we are well-equipped to proceed safely. We have developed a detailed Reopen Timeline and Checklist to ensure that we are moving forward intentionally and with great respect for everyone impacted along the way. 

The Governor also released the MI Start Safe Plan that details six phases to the pandemic, starting with Phase 1: Uncontrolled Growth and moving through to Phase 6: Post Pandemic. It describes each phase and gives the factors that will determine whether or not we can progress to the next phase. Michigan is currently in Phase 3: Flattening. This phase is defined as when COVID-19 case growth is gradually declining. Non-essential retail and offices can open in Phase 4: Improving. We will know that we can move to that phase when:

• Cases and deaths decline more sharply,
• Percent of positive tests is decreasing,
• The healthcare system capacity continues to strengthen, and
• Robust testing, contact tracing, and containment protocols are in place.

The things in the last bullet what our governor and health officials are working on now, so that we can move into the next phase. We hope that Michigan will be ready by the end of May. It is possible, however, to go backwards in the phases if the risk increases because we are not adhering to safe practices. So please! Keep up all the safety protocols that are possible for you. 

Our donation doors have been doing a brisk business. On Saturday in Grand Haven alone, we had 182 donor visits and filled more than 40 containers! The good news is that we will have product to sell when the stores open again, and we can funnel items to sell through ShopGoodwill immediately. The challenge is storing all those donations until we can reopen, but this is a challenge we are very willing to manage.

The ten Goodwill CEOs in Michigan have agreed upon a common marketing message that will let everyone know the safety measures that our stores will adhere to when opening.  Agreeing on a marketing message is not something we have ever been able to do before, so this is a really big deal. We will be able to let people know that regardless of which Goodwill store they go to, they will be able to expect protocols designed to ensure the health and safety of our customers and staff.

If you had an appointment with VITA to get your taxes done before the shutdown, please know that we now have a mobile option to get them done, and Carl and his team will be in contact with you. Workforce Development (Mission Services) continues to work toward providing our other services remotely.

Have a great week!

Jeanette