Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.

We're excited to announce that we have a new LinkedIn page where we'll continue sharing the latest news and opportunities. Join us at our new page: Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago Thank you for your continued support of our mission: Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life. #WeAreGoodwill

To close out Social Wellness Month, we want to remind you of the importance of connection. Building support systems is vital to our sense of belonging and for our physical and mental well-being. Through the Home Delivered Meals program – our largest program for homebound older adults – drivers like Regenia (Gena) not only deliver nutritious meals but conduct wellness checks and provide important connection that combats loneliness and social isolation. For over seven years, Gena has been supporting the Home Delivered Meals program delivering meals to nearly 35 homebound older adults every weekday on Milwaukee’s northwest side. Gena became a driver after discovering that her father had received meals and knew it would be a good way to do something for the community. She now gets behind the wheel in his memory. #WeAreGoodwill

Last week, Goodwill and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County joined other nonprofits, business leaders and community members to celebrate the BizTimes Media's Nonprofit Excellence Awards program. Although we did not receive the Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year Award, it is an honor to be recognized as a finalist in the Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year Award category for the United For Good program which helps fill critical healthcare positions by training the next generation of certified nursing assistants. Congratulations to all of the award recipients whose work uplifts our communities.

Today for our Acts of Goodwill Feature Friday, we want to highlight Kay Gottardi, retail support administrator. Last year, Kay arranged 10 events with First Presbyterian Church of Racine. Through these events, 28 volunteers added 112 hours of impact to Goodwill’s 2023 total hours. “Food insecurity is a passion of mine so finding a food bank to volunteer at was wonderful. The impact of the food pantry and supporting those in need within our community is truly remarkable. Volunteering with them not only allowed us to contribute to a cause we care deeply about but it also offered us invaluable experiences and lessons in community service and empathy.” #WeAreGoodwill #FeatureFriday #ActsOfGoodwill #VolunteerSpotlight

As part of our ongoing Acts of Goodwill Feature Friday series, we are excited to highlight Steven Thorn, manager, food service finance, at Goodwill Great Lakes. Steven created two events with Northern Illinois Food Bank. Six volunteers engaged in 40 total hours of volunteerism.  “I enjoy volunteering because I find that it allows employee engagement, as well as community engagement on different levels. It helps to create new relationships and build on existing ones. It is amazing when we can build relationships, beyond those in which we are accustomed.”   #WeAreGoodwill #FeatureFriday #ActsOfGoodwill #VolunteerSpotlight

Goodwill leaders had a great time attending Chicago Jobs Council's 43rd Annual Meeting. They were able to unite with Chicago’s community and institutional leaders to learn about the work Chicago Jobs Council is doing, alongside Chicagoland workforce development organizations, that are removing barriers and helping job seekers access quality jobs. #WeAreGoodwill

Thanks to your support through purchases and donations, Goodwill has done some amazing things in the last year, including 4,000+ employment placements across southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago. We are grateful to all of our shoppers and donors for helping us fulfill our mission: Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life. Learn more about how you can help: https://ow.ly/Hjb750Sqp9f

We are excited to celebrate 50 years of making a difference with SourceAmerica! Goodwill is proud to be part of SourceAmerica’s network of nonprofit agencies that help create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Read more about Lysander Jones from Goodwill Great Lakes, one of the thousands of individuals with disabilities who’ve inspired others with his perseverance, professionalism and passion: https://ow.ly/wWcQ50SAKuH #50YearsofStories

As part of our Feature Friday series, we’ve been highlighting employee volunteers who have made a significant impact through our Acts of Goodwill program. Today, we want you to meet Terry VanParys, director, support services at Goodwill Great Lakes. Terry arranged a large volunteer event with 15 Goodwill volunteers, resulting in 45 combined volunteer hours, at Catholic Charities Christmas Gift Program in Lake County, IL. “I really appreciate the opportunity to assist partner agencies who have helped Goodwill and the people we serve. I enjoy working with my Goodwill Great Lakes teammates from other departments, as well as those who are from the retail division. Goodwill has been fortunate to have such great support from the communities where we operate. It’s nice to be able to make such a visible impact.” #WeAreGoodwill #FeatureFriday #ActsOfGoodwill #VolunteerSpotlight

Ensuring our services reach the heart of the communities that face the most pressing needs, Goodwill leaders attended Be the Light, an evening celebrating survivors and the Sojourner mission to transform lives impacted by domestic violence. We have provided job search assistance to help Sojourner Family Peace Center clients find work, referral resources and job training and support since 2015. The organization is one of the Goodwill Workforce Connection Centers’ community access points. #WeAreGoodwill