Announcing a Growing Commitment to Workplace Inclusion; 2023 Holiday Observances to Include the King Holiday

January 17, 2022

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., a diverse non-profit social enterprise organization, recognized The King Holiday by announcing to its employees the observance will be added to the organization’s holiday benefits, beginning in 2023. The decision will provide an opportunity for Goodwill and its 5,000+ employees to serve the community in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. King and represents a continuation of the organization’s commitment to racial equity and social justice issues impacting its employees and the people it serves.

“Goodwill® believes everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive,” shared Jackie Hallberg, president & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. “’It Starts with Me,’ as a theme for this year’s King Holiday is personal. Embracing diversity as a leadership imperative has been an intentional learning experience for me and over 100 Goodwill leaders and executives since 2020. These efforts are reshaping the tone at the top including our vision, strategy and operating policies and practices."

Recognizing The King Holiday aligns with Goodwill’s 100+ year history of enhancing the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities. Goodwill is near finalizing its new long-term strategic plan which will seamlessly integrate diversity, equity and inclusion goals across every aspect of its organization. Goodwill provides a wide variety of employment programs and placement services serving individuals in 23 counties across Southeastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and Metropolitan Chicago. Its workforce includes exempt and non-exempt employees, federal contractors and essential service providers.

“As an organization working to reduce barriers to employment, we are making progress towards an inclusive workplace and community that is inspired by the significance of Dr. King’s work,” said Angela Adams, chief communications and diversity officer of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. “There is power in learning together! The 2023 King Holiday observance is an outcome of our DEI leadership learning journey; an example of the steps we are taking to create more equitable and inclusive workplace policies and practices.”

Since 2019, Goodwill employees have participated in Acts of Goodwill, the organization’s employee volunteer campaign. To date, approximately 150 Acts of Goodwill representing over 600 volunteer hours have been completed throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. This year, Goodwill is encouraging its 5,000+ employees to actively learn about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., grow through meaningful conversations around equity and inclusion and support the communities swhere we live and work through volunteer opportunities.