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An Inside Look: Goodwill Great Lakes Federal Services

Posted by Mike Matus on October 1, 2014

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Working for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc. Great_Lakescan take you in many different directions but the common thread which runs through all is the feeling of a shared community committed to our mission – providing training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence. That commitment is evident throughout all of our mission operations and the training and work we perform on a daily basis. A wonderful example is our work with the U.S. Navy.

You will be inspired when you visit Naval Stations Great Lakes, the U.S. Navy’s only boot camp! Individuals with significant disabilities work closely with our trained professionals to provide a wide array of services to the U.S. Navy recruits, such as food, administrative, logistics services, as well as laundry services. Take a closer look at what we did in 2013:

  • Served nearly 8.5 million meals to the recruits
  • Handled 2.4 million pieces of mail
  • Issued 2.7 million uniform pieces to Sailors and recruits
  • Processed nearly 14 million pounds of laundry

Because of this work opportunity, we are able to provide these individuals a career path that enables them to become independent and self-sustaining in the communities they live.

A partnership between the U.S. Navy, Naval Station Great Lakes and SourceAmerica makes sense because the missions of each are aligned and integrated. Naval Station Great Lakes’ mission is to train and supply the Fleet with Sailors; Goodwill’s is to provide training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages, and SourceAmerica’s mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. For Goodwill, the installation means employment for 700 people with disabilities including visual, hearing and physical impairments; developmental disabilities; and mental illness.

The partnership also allows those unable to join the military the chance to serve their country by supporting every man and woman that enters the U.S. Navy.

Click here to learn more about Goodwill Great Lakes Federal Services.

Written by Mike Matus

Mike Matus joined Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin in January, 2013 as the Vice President of Sales & Strategic Solutions. Mike’s responsibilities include the development of an integrated Employer Outreach / Business Development strategy across the entire organization. In his role, Mike works closely with the Mission Operations staff of Goodwill TalentBridge, Goodwill Laundry, Goodwill Manufacturing, Goodwill DataShield and Mission Services to drive and coordinate business development efforts to expand the Mission of Goodwill. Mike has spent over 20+ years in executive sales management in varied industries including: Packaging, Graphic Arts and Metal fabrication. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for J.L. Clark, a Clarcor company, specializing in custom metal and plastic packaging. He has served on several boards and received his Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. Mike is currently a member of the MMAC, Executive Agenda, ACG and SAMA organizations.
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WISCONSIN
Mission Support Center
Tel: (414) 847-4200

James O. Wright Center forWork & Training
Tel: (414) 353-6400

ILLINOIS
Metropolitan Chicago -
Administration
Tel: (312) 994-1440