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Goodwill Mission Stories

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Shari

When Shari first started working with Individual Placement and Support (IPS) in November of 2022, she was experiencing some challenges at her current place of employment and was ready to find a new work opportunity. Her job left her feeling uncomfortable as a result of some safety concerns, but she kept the job to support her family and was unsure if she wanted to resign.

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Johanna

Johanna had entered Milwaukee County’s Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program, employed at a job that was jeopardizing her health and recovery. After being in the CCS program for 2 months, she began to speak with her Care Coordinator about wanting a new job. She wanted a job that would not be as stressful as her current job, and one that would allow her some accommodations while working, such as being able to sit and stand on occasion. In February of 2022, Johanna began working with Employment Specialist, Saprina Johnson, with Goodwill’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Program.

Johanna was working part time as an activity assistant with a nursing home. At first this job excited her, but as time went on, it began to tax her recovery. Johanna was feeling overworked and in need of a new job to protect her mental health and recovery.

Once Saprina began meeting with Johanna, she knew right away that the motivation factor was high, but Johanna needed some guidance and support for her to reach her job goal. Saprina and Johanna started with updating her resume. Johanna was serious about wanting a new job, and she was willing to stay at her current job until her new opportunity arrived. Saprina helped Johanna understand the ways in which one can be professional while still sticking up for oneself and also helped Johanna with presenting her best self on applications and during interviews. Saprina and Johanna would continue to meet each week to update resumes and cover letters and apply to jobs together.

Johanna began to talk with Saprina about a past job in security that she had liked. Saprina had a connection with a security company called, Par Mar Security, where she knew one of the managers. Because of this connection, Johanna was able to apply and interview for a security guard position for the company. They offered her a position that she began on March 8, 2022 and were accommodating with Johanna on completing their onboarding procedures After successfully working 90 days, Johanna notified Saprina that she no longer needed IPS services Saprina was proud of Johanna and the growth she had shown since they began working together. Saprina let Johanna know that IPS would be available if she ever needed employment help again. Johanna was successfully discharged from Goodwill’s IPS Program on April 25th, 2022, employed as a Security Guard.

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Michelle

A Roadmap to Independence Through Goodwill’s IPS Program

When Goodwill's Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment specialist, Julie Loth, began working with Michelle in late January 2021, Michelle was eager to return to working in the food service industry. She also wanted to renew her state approved ServSafe certification, which verifies food safety knowledge that protects the public from foodborne illness.

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Goodwill Wins Multiple Awards at Annual IPS Awards

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:

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Shawn

Shawn lives by himself and enjoys the connections he has with his church, watching TV (Knight Rider is his favorite) and daydreaming.  

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Zeudi

Goodwill's Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program is a partnership with the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Wisconsin Division of Rehabilitation (DVR), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

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Demetrius

Making People Smile

“Demetrius brings a positive energy to work everyday!”

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Joey

The name’s Fun…Mr. Fun

Whether it’s sharing laughs with his coworkers at Serb Hall, riding his bike around Milwaukee, or playing basketball, Joey has a good time in any situation- even cleaning his house!

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Gino

Gino's Success Story

Working Hard at Hardee’s

Gino is a man of many talents and as he started his path with Goodwill’s Work Services program, he soon expressed how he wanted something different and more for himself. Gino was able to find that at Hardee’s Restaurant. As a combined food preparation and service worker at Hardee’s, Gino assists with food preparation, unloads trucks and puts items away, double checks the inventory sheet, changes ice/soda machines, brings food out to the customers and helps out with keeping the lobby area clean, especially during the very busy classic car shows.

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Charlie

Charlie S. was recently hired at a local Mobil One gas station. Charlie was able to obtain this job with help from Goodwill’s Supported Employment Program and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The Supported Employment Program is all about job developers helping individuals find employment in the community. Once placed, a job coach continues to provide training and support to ensure success and build independence.

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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