Goodwill Great Lakes: Serving the Navy’s Only Bootcamp
Since 1974, the U.S. Navy, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, and SourceAmerica have partnered through the AbilityOne program to provide supported employment and job skills training for teens and adults with disabilities at the Navy’s only boot camp: Naval Station Great Lakes in Great Lakes, Illinois. Our employment program provides a unique opportunity for individuals to work together to support the Sailors and Recruits while at Navy bootcamp.
Goodwill employees create a home away from home for Sailors and recruits. We provide support throughout the Sailors’ and recruits’ day, empowering the Navy to focus on its mission while allowing us to serve ours: Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life.
Our employees take great pride in serving their country alongside the Sailors and recruits. They are especially proud to create a festive atmosphere during the holiday season when many young recruits are away from their homes and families for the first time.
Goodwill’s support for the Navy includes:
- Food and logistics services
- Uniform distribution
- Administrative, postal and environmental services
- Warehousing
With every service provided, our operations consistently focus on providing the best customer service possible. We regularly identify ways to improve processes and better service our customers, all with employee participation.
>8M
Meals served to U.S. Navy Recruits and Sailors in 2023
3M
Pieces of mail handled for U.S. Navy Recruits and Sailors in 2023
2.3m
Uniform items issued to U.S. Navy Recruits and Sailors in 2023
Providing Jobs for the Community
At Goodwill Great Lakes, individuals with and without disabilities work side-by-side to support the Navy. This meaningful employment—coupled with a comprehensive career ladder that encourages team members to grow and acquire new skills—helps employees build confidence in their work.
At the heart of Goodwill Great Lakes is the AbilityOne program, which provides meaningful jobs for people with disabilities to help them become independent individuals who contribute to their communities. The program is an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to gain valuable on-the-job training, real-world work experience, and the chance to demonstrate their skills, while earning competitive wages and benefits. Our operations at Naval Station Great Lakes have created employment for more than 600 people with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, and physical impairments, developmental disabilities, and mental illness.
At the same time, it’s about helping those who want to give back to their country, whether that’s by supplying jobs for veterans or creating opportunities for those who might have liked to serve.
Learn about AbilityOne
#WeAreGoodwill
See how Goodwill celebrates the abilities and potential of every team member at Goodwill Great Lakes, a place where "You can be yourself."
Goodwill Great Lakes Employee Receives National Award
Working at Goodwill Great Lakes program is rewarding, but one award is especially meaningful for one employee: Lysander Jones, who was recognized with the SourceAmerica's William M. Usdane Award in 2021.
This national award celebrates an AbilityOne program employee with a disability who has exhibited outstanding achievement and exceptional character—and that’s Lysander to a T. Among his many accomplishments is his attendance record: 500 shifts and counting without missing a day.
Lysander’s case manager Fred Williams says it best, “His value is a gift to Goodwill. Both the organization and community greatly benefit as he continues to serve and perform at the highest level of his abilities while on the job an in his life.”
Work at Goodwill Great Lakes
We have opportunities with immediate openings, and we're interviewing and hiring weekly.