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