Blogs

Did you know that when you shop at or donate to Goodwill, you are not only helping people earn jobs, advance their careers, and care for their families, but you are also making a positive impact on the environment? 

Goodwill® is doing its part during Second Chance Month to help people transition from justice involvement to advancing their careers and contributing to their communities, as it does all year long. The organization works to highlight opportunities for job training and social service offerings that help people who have been involved in the justice system find jobs and support their families and work to create safer communities.

When you speak with Chris Talton, you will undoubtedly open your mind to new thoughts and ideas about a variety of topics. As a person who thinks about the bigger picture, he also doesn’t bypass the small details.

Elizabeth McNally pictured with her nine-year-old chocolate Labradors.

Elizabeth McNally knows how important it is for women to cheer each other on and support one another in the workplace. In her newly appointed role as chief of staff & vice president – president’s office, she does just that and is honored to serve in a critical role supporting Goodwill’s President & CEO, Jackie Hallberg.

It is disheartening to talk about Women’s History Month and at the same time witness hard-fought workplace gains disappearing. It is well-documented that during the pandemic, women have experienced disproportionate job loss. More than 2.3 million women have left the workforce in the past year, compared to 1.8 million men, dropping the women’s labor force participation rate to 57 percent — the lowest it’s been since 1988.

For Elizabeth Villalobos, her life’s work has largely been centered around helping others. She has served as choir director for her church since the age of 14 and studied to be a missionary. And, for over 11 years, Elizabeth has worked at Goodwill which has proven to be a very fulfilling way for her to give back to the community.

Jeanine Fohl has spent over 30 years serving individuals with disabilities through her work at Goodwill. She leads with passion and her dedication to the organization and its mission has provided opportunities for personal growth along her career journey.

Both Brigette Sahlstrom, development manager and Katie Mattson, development administrator began their careers at Goodwill in 2018. Over the past few years, this all-woman team has worked hard to raise money to support mission programs and build relationships with the generous donors who support the organization.

In support of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign, two custom-designed game-worn cleats represented by the Green Bay Packers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the Chicago Bears Ryan Nall are being auctioned off now through February 15, 2021. All proceeds of the sales will benefit Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago.    

In September 2020, Goodwill partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee and Welcoming America on a multi-day Welcoming Week celebration of diversity and inclusion. The event brought together the multi-cultural population of more than 100 employees at the James O. Wright (JOW) Center for Work & Training on Milwaukee’s northwest side.