Goodwill Supported Employment Celebrates 500 Jobs!

Maria Lopez (mother) and Christina (daughter) are empowered by Christina’s employment in the community.

For individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, it takes perseverance, commitment to personal growth, and determination to overcome obstacles. For many, a job in the community is a goal that can be years in the making. On October 18 in the Peck Center at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Goodwill and its clients, along with Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Wisconsin’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), dignitaries, supporters, employers, families and friends came together to celebrate the milestone of our Supported Employment Program’s 500 jobs secured for people with disabilities.

Goodwill’s Supported Employment offers a range of services that are organized to assist individuals in choosing, obtaining and retaining employment matched to their vocational interests and abilities. From initial skill discovery and career profile tools, to resume building, interview skills and travel training, this first important step of the process allows a person to find their passion and get ready for work. The person can then move onto paid temporary work internships to put these skills to the test and find the best match for employer and employee. Once hired, we then provide long term job coaching to the employee to ensure success.

Staff and employed individuals celebrated 500 Jobs – an amazing accomplishment for Goodwill’s Supported Employment!

It was just four years ago that Goodwill Supported Employment celebrated our first 100 jobs. So much has been accomplished in such a short period of time, and the impact of that work is far reaching and long lasting. According to Jackie Hallberg, President and CEO of Goodwill, “Over the last few years, there’s been something very positive happening in our communities and organizations. People with unique, diverse abilities are stepping into the community in new ways – through employment, volunteering, connections and relationships.”

With three out of five working-aged individuals with disabilities unemployed, this largely untapped workforce can certainly be a resource for employers, especially when considering Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is at a low 3%. That, coupled with perceptions about people with disabilities in the workforce changing, means that we’re seeing more employers thinking outside the box when it comes to hiring individuals with disabilities. Molly Gilgenbach, Director of EmpowerOne, said, “Together, we truly are creating a richer, more diverse and united community.” Christine Schulz, Manager of Community Employment and Connection, added, “Today - this celebration – is a testament to the hard work and dedication each person puts in every single day. I’m honored to be a part of this organization.”

Left to Right: Dan Depies (Senior Vice President, Mission Services), Molly Gilgenbach (Director of EmpowerOne), Christine Schulz (Manager, Community Employment and Connection), Jackie Hallberg (President and CEO), Delora Newton (DVR Administrator), Curtis Cunningham (DHS Assistant Administrator of Long Term Care Benefits and Programs)

Goodwill works closely with those individuals, partners with employers to meet their business needs, and collaborates with DVR, Wisconsin Family Care and IRIS to support these employment efforts. Goodwill’s Supported Employment program serves about 300 individuals across four counties in Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee. Schulz added, “This journey began in 2012 when we started off as a very small team, supporting about 20 people in community jobs. We celebrated our milestone of 100 jobs in 2014 and have continued to set new goals for ourselves each year. It takes great team effort to achieve this kind of success and we thank everyone who contributed.” Theresa Brugger, Job Coach Supervisor, pointed out that Goodwill is working with over 200 unique employers and over 250 individuals in their community jobs. “Now we have a dedicated team of 40 people – Job Developers, Job Coaches, Case Managers – all working together to help others advance in their goals of greater independence and community inclusion.”

Additional speakers at the event included Delora Newton, DVR Administrator, who explained the benefits of supporting innovative services and getting people with disabilities out into the community working. Curtis Cunningham, Assistant Administrator of Long Term Care Benefits and Programs for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, complimented Goodwill for its services that make a difference in so many people’s lives and discussed the importance of true integration for people with disabilities in our community. Joe Minton of Black Duck Partners, owners of Planet Fitness, talked about the positive impact on the company’s culture by employing people with disabilities. He said, “It’s amazing how much influence these individuals have on the work environment just by their presence. Their good work ethic and genuinely happy attitudes affect everyone around them!”

Goodwill is committed to moving employment forward through programs and services that get all people in our communities working. For more information on Goodwill’s programs and services for people with disabilities, or if you know a business that is looking for an energetic, qualified workforce, please contact Christine Schulz, Manager, Community Employment and Connection, at (414) 847-1954 or cschulz@goodwillsew.com.

Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition Holds Voting Practice Event for People with Disabilities

Jermaine C. (left) shows off his “practice” ballot that and City of Milwaukee employee Elvin Momon (right) helped to generate at the accessible voting machine.

It’s election season, and you can’t miss the signs. Calls, mailings, yard signs and debates greet us at every turn. Most of us know our polling place and will exercise our right to vote on November 6^th. But have you ever thought about what it’s like for a person with a disability to access the polls and vote? Did you know that the State of Wisconsin is a leader in accessible voting for its citizens?

Goodwill and the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition held a Voter Presentation and Learning Session at the James O. Wright Center for Work and Training in Milwaukee. Goodwill employees and individuals receiving Goodwill services were encouraged to attend and learn about accessible voting. Voter registration assistance also was provided. The goal of this nonpartisan effort was to increase electoral participation of people with disabilities. 

In addition, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission graciously provided an “AutoMark” accessible voting machine, which individuals could use as practice for actual voting. City of Milwaukee employee Elvin Momon demonstrated interest and patience in helping attendees understand the machine and voting procedures and options.

“For a person with a disability, sometimes the unknown can be scary. To be able to see a voting machine and practice takes some of that fear out of the process. People with disabilities want to participate in the electoral process, and with this training are able to do so just like everyone else,” says Christine Schulz, Manager of Community Employment and Connection.

According to Barbara Beckert, Disability Rights of Wisconsin, “We want voters of all abilities to be aware of their voting rights, to ensure that every voter has the opportunity to exercise their vote.” In Wisconsin, there are over 340,000 people with disabilities who are eligible to vote.

For more information on our programs for people with disabilities, please contact Christine Schulz, Manager of Community Employment and Connection, at (414) 847-1954 or Christine.Schulz@goodwillsew.com. 

Goodwill Community Day Highlights Local Mission Impact

Goodwill’s inaugural Community Day, held this fall throughout Goodwill’s service territory, attracted hundreds of community stakeholders to our Store & Donation Center locations for a behind-the-scenes experience of our store operations. Goodwill employees and local community and business leaders engaged in rich dialogue connecting to one another and creating a closer connection with the Goodwill mission - to provide training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence.

Angela Adams, Vice President of Community Relations, shared that the connection between Goodwill and the Community is key to delivering on our mission and maintaining successful operations. “Goodwill is creating meaningful impact in the community and for our own employees every day,” says Adams. “Community Day resulted in new connections and more solid relationships with hundreds of local business and community leaders across our territory.”

Goodwill Community Day highlighted its mission and local community impact data for each county where we operate businesses.

“Goodwill Community Day gave me a new understanding of the intricacies of the organization and their innovative approaches to advancing impact in our communities,” said Erickajoy Daniels, SVP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Advocate Aurora Health. “My new awareness raised my interest and a sense of responsibility to be a voice of connection so that more partners, particularly in corporate spaces, understand the rich value proposition Goodwill offers.”

By serving the community, we continuously learn and help others value the talents, unique abilities and the potential of all people. “People are at the heart of what we do and Community Day helped strengthen our relationships with community stakeholders,” says Jackie Hallberg, Goodwill’s President & CEO. “Our strategy is to tell our story so people better understand our role as a workforce development organization and how that links to our local mission impact in the community.”

Some of our most notable guests:

• IL State Representatives Margo McDermed and David Olsen
• Oak Creek City Clerk Catherine Roeske
• Mundelein Township Mayor Steve Lentz
• South Suburban Chamber Executive Director Barbara Wesener
• City of Milwaukee Department of Administration Sharon Robinson
• Former Wisconsin State Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd
• Waukesha Common Council President Aaron Perry
• Village of Menomonee Falls Trustee Bonnie Lemmer
• Franklin Public Schools Board President Janet Evans
• Grafton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam King
• Carpentersville Village Manager Marc Huber
• Historic Third Ward Executive Director Jim Plaisted
• Village of Skokie Trustee Karen Gray-Keeler
• Forward Janesville President John Beckord
• Oak Creek Treasurer Barbara Guckenberger
• City of New Berlin Alderman Joe Stribl and many other community leaders

For more information on Goodwill Community Day, or other Community Relations initiatives, please email contact Angela Adams, Vice President of Community Relations at  Angela.Adams@goodwillsew.com.

Goodwill Receives Wisconsin DWD Partner Recognition Certificate

This fall, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin received recognition from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for a successful partnership in supporting individuals with disabilities to gain and retain jobs in the community.

The awards ceremony was held at the James O. Wright Center for Work and Training, on the northwest side of Milwaukee. “Holding the event at the JOW location was important because it is one of our main integrated work and training hubs where we provide real jobs and training through our social enterprises, including Retail, Laundry, Café 1919, and our Custodial Services,” says Laura Romens, Manager of Government Programs.  “For many individuals referred by DVR [Department of Vocational Rehabilitation], this location becomes the starting point to develop skills and confidence in their journey to a job out in the community, among our many employer partners,” says Romens.

Chris Hagerup, DWD Deputy Secretary, said one of his favorite parts of his job is the success stories from individuals – like Isabella at Starbucks. He said that she loved her job so much, she would gladly work for free. Isabella is 25 years old and lives in a group home. Her dream was to have a job she could look forward to and be responsible for, every day. Hagerup said of the recollection, “I’m telling you, Goodwill does wonderful things and works in a wonderful realm.” He added that statistically speaking, 16,000 individuals with disabilities are working through the DVR and DWD partnerships every year. In addition, half a billion dollars of earned income, upon which taxes are paid, can be attributed to this group.

According to Dan Depies, Senior Vice President of Mission Services, “There is much work still to be done. Only about two of five working age individuals with diverse abilities are actually working, even though many more want to work. The Goodwill partnership with DVR and DWD, in collaboration with employers like Walgreens (REDI program), FedEx (train and place model), and Milwaukee County (two Project SEARCH sites), have proven a strong model.  If we work together, we can do great things. We are grateful to the State of Wisconsin for its continued support of our mission.”

Goodwill’s partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is one of our longest and strongest relationships, and goes far beyond advocacy and funding. We are proud to call the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development a trusted and valued partner.

For more information on Goodwill’s Workforce Development programs, please contact Dan Depies, Senior Vice President of Mission Services, at (414) 847-4880 or dan.depies@goodwillsew.com.