Goodwill Mission Stories

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, several members of Goodwill’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team and one of Goodwill’s employer partners have been recognized for their achievements in helping people with mental health concerns better their lives through employment.

IPS is an international evidence-based program that helps people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders find and keep jobs. The program can also assist with educational goals that will lead to employment. Goodwill operates IPS services throughout Milwaukee County.

The IPS Awards are given out each year at the annual Wisconsin IPS Learning Collaborative Conference. Winners are nominated by their peers, supervisors and community partners.

Goodwill was recognized in the following categories:

Award Winners  

IPS Champion Awards

The award recognizes people for their commitment to the principles, implementation and quality improvement of IPS in Wisconsin.

2021

Julie Loth, Employment Specialist IPS

Deshon Fanaka, Employment Specialist IPS  

2020

Erika Eykmans, Supervisor IPS and Community Employment

Theresa Edwards, Employment Specialist IPS 

2021 Winner of the Global Pandemic Award

The award recognizes Wisconsin IPS providers based on the data they submit quarterly. Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin received this award for their work to increase the number of job seekers served by 16% in 2020 despite facing challenges presented by the global health pandemic.

2021 Winner of the Employer Champion Award

The award recognizes employers who have hired IPS participants, are committed to collaborating with IPS and supporting job seekers with disabilities, are committed to the principles of IPS and advocate for an inclusive workforce.

This year’s winner was Colton Grebe, executive vice president of operations at Grebe’s Bakery a family-owned bakery and deli operating since 1937. As an employer partner of Goodwill, the nomination was submitted by Keith Schroeder, Goodwill Supervisor IPS and Community Employment who shared:

“Grebe’s Bakery has been a champion for IPS consumers. They have been open to Temporary Work Experiences, tours of their facilities, pre-employment meetings and many more ways to help our consumers succeed through employment at Grebe’s Bakery. Colton is a member of Disability:IN Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County Business Advisory Council. He welcomes anyone who wants to work and is willing to work with Grebe’s Bakery to the make an employment opportunity possible.

Goodwill truly appreciates the time and effort that Grebe’s Bakery has put into supporting their workforce and creating a healthy and diverse place of employment.”