Category: Goodwill Employment

Goodwill: Ability First program

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WORK MATTERS

At Goodwill Industries of Michiana, we understand many times the first step to finding a job is understanding your skills, interests, and abilities. We also understand matching employer needs with your unique skills is one way we can help bring the value of employment to you and your family.

Ability First services allow Goodwill staff to walk alongside individuals and employers as they address the unique challenges of employment for persons with cognitive or physical barriers by providing any needed job coaching, job training, advocacy or assistance with situations that may arise in the new position. The length of personal assistance is dependent upon the needs of both the individual and the employer.

To find out how Ability First can meet the employment needs of people with disabilities, contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Services office.

Every 38 seconds of each business day
someone earns a job with Goodwill’s help.

Every eight seconds another person accesses
Goodwill opportunities to build their career
and strengthen their family.

You can be next!


text 2017 all rights reserved

What Does Goodwill Really Do?

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GOODWILL – MORE THAN A STORE

Goodwill’s Mission is to strengthen communities by empowering individuals and families through Education, Training and Job Placement.  That is why Goodwill exists in our community.  That is why there are Retail Stores…the stores not only fund these programs, but also provide jobs.

WORK MATTERS!

Often the first step to finding a job is understanding your skills, interests, and abilities. That’s what the Goodwill Career Centers can help you with.  Once you have an understanding of your strengths, you can begin thinking about the career track that’s best for you. We have specialists who work with you to understand your prior experience as well as your job and career goals.

You can meet face-to-face at a Goodwill near you or visit our virtual community online. Together we’ll design a strategy to bring your plans to life, while connecting you with other community resources, like housing, reliable transportation, and childcare.

Every 38 seconds of each business day someone earns a job with Goodwill’s help.

Every eight seconds another person accesses Goodwill opportunities to build their career and strengthen their family. You can be next!

 

There are several programs to help you take your first step to a career. Community Career Centers bring services to both individuals and businesses. We host Job Fairs and Hiring Events for employers and assist individuals in the job search process. Resume writing, interview preparation, and development workshops are just a few of the free services that are made available to the community.

Goodwill Works opens a pathway to our complete employee development courses and work experience. This service is open to anyone seeking personal development when entering the workforce. Whether an individual has a gap in employment, little or no experience, or is seeking to learn new skills, this program can be beneficial.

To join the program, an individual can be referred by a Community Career Center Manager.

Ability First services allow Goodwill staff to walk alongside individuals and employers as they address the unique challenges of employment for persons with cognitive or physical barriers.  This is accomplished by providing any needed job coaching, job training, advocacy or assistance with situations that may arise in the new position. The length of personal assistance is dependent upon the needs of both the individual and the employer.

To find out how Ability First can meet the employment needs of people with disabilities, contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office.

2nd Chance @ Work provides a fresh start for those who have been incarcerated. We believe that anyone who wants to go to work deserves a chance, and we understand the challenges people face when they are looking for employment.  Whether an individual has been incarcerated, is under employed or has been out of work for some time, we are here to assist. With this in mind we offer focused services for men, women and young adults who are committed to getting their lives back on track.

For more information, call Goodwill at 574-472-7300 or obtain a referral through your probation or parole officer.

*Currently available in Elkhart, Lake, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties.

 

Out of School Youth is provided through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). For youth ages 16-24, the program provides services beginning with career exploration and guidance.  It offers continued support for educational attainment, opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations; and the program culminates with a good job along a career pathway.

For more information, call WorkOne at 219-344-1013.

*Currently available in Lake, LaPorte, and Portage Counties

Nurse Family Partnership pairs first-time parents with caring maternity and child health nurses who deliver the support moms need to have a healthy pregnancy. A Goodwill Case Manager insures child medical care until age 2, and case management for parents until age 5. Mothers also receive assistance with finding good jobs so they can support their children.

For more information, call 219-444-2000 or visit https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/.

*Currently available in Lake County.

GOODWILL SUCCESS STORY! Meet Jakelia Taylor

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Jakelia Taylor is a 23 years old mother of 4. She is the Industrial Services Supervisor at Goodwill Industries of Michiana.

Jakelia got her start with Goodwill through a program called 2nd Chance @ Work.  This program is designed to help people with criminal backgrounds gain career skills with a goal of achieving full-time employment. In Jakelia’s words, “Had it not been for the compassion of the caseworkers and staff running this program I really don’t know where I would be in life right now.”

Through a string of events and bad decisions, Jakelia turned to a life of crime and drug abuse that led to a conviction and criminal record. As part of her conviction Jakelia found herself required to obtain employment to pay for court fees or face jail time. This is when she reached out to the 2nd Chance program. After 12 weeks in the program, she was ready for a work-place experience. This stepping stone of the program offers hands-on experience in a given field.

Jakelia was able to secure a full-time job and many other resources that aided her in her recovery. She explains the next phase of her journey:

I was released from Community Corrections for good behavior. After about 7 months of working I ran into child care problems and I was forced to stop working for about 2 months. I became very discouraged and I figured the odds were against me. I felt there was no way to get ahead in life with a criminal background. During those 2 months I reached out more than ever to different government assistance programs, again I was turned down because of my prior. I began to slip back into my old habits, doing the only thing I knew to make money. As time went on I began to just see life for what it was. I knew if I sat back and did nothing about the situation I was in, no one would help me. So again I began to ask around for help. Finally I was offered child care. I then was able to get back into the program and start where I left off.

She worked hard and was offered a position as the Industrial Services Coordinator at Goodwill Industries of Michiana. She has held this position for over a year.  Her current goals include starting school.  Jakelia sums up her story by saying, “Who would have thought me, a 22 year old ex-felon, could overcome the odds I overcame. This is really just the beginning of my story. I have not closed my book yet and I am ready for a new chapter in life and very thankful for the chapters leading up to this. I want to give Goodwill thanks for the amazing helping hand to not only me, but my family.”

For more information about the 2nd Chance @ Work Program, please click HERE.

Goodwill Success Story – Joseph Johnson

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Goodwill Industries of Michiana’s 2nd Chance @ Work Program provides individuals with barriers to employment with an opportunity to re-purpose their lives.

Those involved in the program include ex-offenders.  These individuals need tools to achieve their employment and life goals. The intense classroom and hands-on training have been helpful to the success of our clients.

Recently a client, Joseph Johnson, received job placement in the community at MTI (Manufacturing Technology Incorporated). His goal upon entry to his present job was to apply his knowledge of welding. Since his start date (over 2 months ago) he has quickly risen from a position of general laborer to machine operator.

Thank you MTI and congratulations, Joseph!

If you would like to help those in our community by donating to Goodwill, visit our Donation Page to make your contribution.

Goodwill Success Story – meet Brent Biddle

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Goodwill Industries of Michiana is a place where client successes are celebrated.  It is a place where the notion of turning lemons into lemonade is part of every-day operations. That mantra is exactly what Goodwill client Brent Biddle has done. 
 Brent was unemployed for 4 years after suffering a heart attack. In 2013 he decided it was time to return to work.  Despite significant physical limitations, he was determined to re-enter the work force. He applied to Vocational Rehabilitation and was referred to Goodwill for employment services.
Brent worked closely with the Goodwill staff and his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to develop a career goal that met his needs.  He knew he would thrive in a position that allowed him to work with people and accommodate his limitations.  Through career assessment, he determined a position in the customer service field would be perfect for him. 
After meeting weekly with his employment specialist, Brent developed a resume and began his job search.  He applied for a variety of positions in several industries.   During one of his weekly meetings, he learned of a floor supervisor opening at the Goodwill Store in Elkhart. He submitted an application and was interviewed a few days later. 
Brent began working at the Goodwill Store in Elkhart as a floor supervisor.  He has been a valued member of the team at that store for over 6-months. His current career goals include working hard and moving forward within the Goodwill family, perhaps applying for a management position. He is very happy to be working at Goodwill and proud to be a part of the Goodwill mission!