Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.
total people served in 2020
people placed into jobs within area businesses
program participants who worked and earned paychecks at Goodwill
Muskegon is one of four cities nationwide to participate in the new Goodwill LifeLaunch: Ignite reentry program, which is designed to provide job skills and career training services for those ages 18 to 24 with a past criminal history.
Muskegon is one of four cities nationwide to participate in new program
PRESS RELEASE
MUSKEGON, MI — Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) is helping young adults with criminal backgrounds in the Muskegon area transition to new jobs as part of a new training program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The Goodwill LifeLaunch: Ignite reentry program is designed to provide job skills and career training services for those ages 18 to 24 with a past criminal history. GIWM is one of four Goodwill organizations in the country to offer LifeLaunch: Ignite, along with Goodwills headquartered in Atlanta, GA; Louisville, KY; and Pittsburgh, PA.
“Landing job opportunities for people with criminal histories has always been challenging, but never more so than now,” said GIWM Workforce Development Director Kiesha Guy. “Given the tough job market due to COVID-19, those in our community looking for a second chance will benefit greatly from LifeLaunch: Ignite.”
The new reentry program will serve approximately 100 local young adults with criminal backgrounds. A total of 415 youth will participate across all four cities involved in the program. GIWM was chosen to operate under this grant based on community need, its experience in reentry and young adult services; and its strong partnerships with community colleges, local criminal justice systems, and employers.
“We are seeing tremendous disruptions in the job market, both here in Muskegon and across the country,” said Guy. “With the addition of LifeLaunch: Ignite, Goodwill will be able to help many young people focused on turning their lives around for the better.”
Each of the four participating Goodwill organizations will have employment training programs that focus on in-demand jobs in their local communities. In Muskegon, that includes manufacturing personnel, machine operators, and electrical maintenance workers.
Among the program’s goals are to keep recidivism rates at or below 20 percent, to help 60 percent of participants attain a credential, and to assist 75 percent of participants to gain measurable skills. Goodwill will track program participants after completion of LifeLaunch: Ignite to accurately measure program success.
The program will operate for approximately 24 months with a 12-month period for follow-up services. As part of the DOL’s Young Adult Reentry Program, LifeLaunch: Ignite will strengthen Muskegon by helping participants become productive, contributing members of the community; gain long-term, financially sustaining employment; find stable homes; and address any potential substance abuse or mental health needs.
“This grant opens the door for making significant, life-changing shifts in young people’s lives,” GIWM President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer said. “We have a chance to further combat systemic poverty and inequality in our community through education, training, and opportunities.”
The Goodwill LifeLaunch: Ignite Reentry Program is made possible with a $4.5 million grant award from the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration,covering 93 percent of operating costs, from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Goodwill Industries International and the four local Goodwill organizations included in this grant are contributing leveraged funding valued at $324,762 to cover remaining 7 percent of operational costs.
← Return - News
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.
Success Story: Bruce
After spending 30 years in prison, Bruce returned to a town he didn’t recognize and faced the daunting task of starting a new life. Goodwill’s Offender Success (OS) program worked with Bruce to define and achieve the goals he set for himself.
“Thanks to Goodwill, I have been given a new opportunity,” he said.
Senior leadership changes announced
Kristin Garris was recently promoted to chief workforce officer, a new position that oversees Goodwill’s workforce development and human resources departments, as well as GoodTemps Staffing Solutions.
Goodwill Industries is also pleased to announce the recent hire of Nick Carlson as the agency’s new business development director. Carlson will provide operational oversight and business development of Goodwill’s Janitorial Services and Industrial Services business-to-business contracts, as well as lead the organization’s sustainability and recycling initiatives.
Virtual awards ceremony shared with community
Goodwill’s Achievers of the Year in-person celebration was cancelled again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We enlisted the help of Andy O’Reilly and Derek Wong from the Muskegon Channel to record a virtual event. We taped each award winner separately and safely, and then stitched them together with our video achiever profiles recorded back in March of 2020.
Congratulations to Achievers of the Year: Kawan, Tim, Quentin, and Hailey; Employer Partners of the Year: Northway Lanes, SRS Fiberglass, and McDonald’s of Hart; Contract Partner of the Year: Spectrum Health; and Volunteer of the Year: Susanne McGee.
View the awards ceremony video and the individual stories from our Achievers of the Year page:
Achievers of the Year
Each year we celebrate community members who overcame adversity through the power of work, and the employers who supported them.
GIWM named regional facilitator hub for MI Tri-Share Child Care Program
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is a new innovative approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families. The “tri-share” model splits the cost of child care three-ways — between state funding, employers enrolled in the program, and eligible employees.
New electronics room in Apple Avenue store
On March 1, the Goodwill retail store at 1501 E. Apple Avenue opened a new "Electronics Room" in a previously unused space just off their regular sales floor.
"Previously owed desktop and laptop computers, stereo systems, speakers, TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, video game systems, PC parts, and more, are for all for sale at great prices," said E-Commerce Manager Adam Kragt.
"It's an excellent resource for customers," added Team Leader Clayton Burch. "Everything has been completely tested and ready to go for customers."
Check out the WZZM-TV video story with Jon Mills here:
View our annual report
Our 2020 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. The annual report also recognizes the four 2019-20 Achievers of the Year and tells their stories.
View our annual report pdf.
Goodwill is Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Goodwill Career Center
Currently open by appointment only. Call 722-7871.
- Job search assistance
- Résumé development
- Career exploration
- GoodTemps application
- Resource assistance
Masks are required for entry.
271 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon