Blog Posts

At Goodwill, employees find work-life balance, a sense of fulfillment from contributing to the mission and an opportunity to grow their career. Those reasons appealed to Jamie – a single mom who wanted a flexible job that allows her to spend time with her daughter while also building a career.

The North Riverside Goodwill Store & Donation Center partnered with J. Sterling Morton West High School in Illinois to provide students the opportunity to learn job skills and gain life experience that will help them successfully achieve employment.

Learning the right skills to be successful at a job is important. Perhaps even more important is having the confidence to know you are ready for whatever lies ahead. It’s learning these types of life skills that make Project SEARCH so impactful.

Project SEARCH is a national business-led, school-to-work transition program that includes hands-on training and career exploration internships that empower young adults with disabilities to build skills and confidence to enter the workforce.

Jo Ann takes pride in creating a positive experience for shoppers and donors. She is a long-time Goodwill shopper who is not shy about being 80 years old. Jo Ann’s life experiences are helping Goodwill build a supportive community.

Jordan received an on-the-spot job offer after gaining the skills and confidence to ace the interview through Goodwill’s Empower Youth program.

The Employee Empowerment Network extends our mission services inward from the outside to our store and donation centers.

Ceasar works as a line cook at Goodwill Great Lakes, which provides food service, administrative and logistic services to Sailors and Recruits at the U.S. Navy’s only bootcamp, Naval Station Great Lakes, in Great Lakes, Illinois.

This summer’s Community Days included two impactful events in the Chicago suburbs. Both events were focused on ensuring under-resourced communities have food and other essential items.

TalentBridge combined its proven track record in the education sector, its expertise working in other industries, and a thorough understanding of the client’s specific needs to stem the turnover tide for a charter school network’s six facilities in southeastern Wisconsin.

Case managers are the heart of the Empower Youth program, guiding participants in realizing their potential, overcoming obstacles and becoming a trusted source and mentor throughout the job process.

Mental health challenges can show up at work in many ways. Learn how employers can support employees and managers when creating a mental-health friendly workplace.

Goodwill hosted three Community Days events his month, all focused on serving our communities and neighbors. Events included Junior Achievement, Midwest Veteran's Closet and Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The Empower Youth: Career Training and Development program provides job readiness training and placement support to help teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 prepare for and find their next job.

1 in 5 adults have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Learn the facts about mental health in the workplace to create and support your employees on the job.

Jonathan found a community that helped him embrace his identity, vocalize goals, and promote inclusivity and self-acceptance through Goodwill’s Empower Youth program.

For Billy, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program opens the door to possibility, purpose and independence. His employment specialist connected him to the DVR to partner in his support and help match Billy’s interests, abilities and skills to different types of work.

Ronnie gained skills and confidence through our Workforce Connection Center as he worked towards his goal of obtaining employment.

April is National Volunteer Month and Earth Month. Goodwill celebrated with 38 volunteer events that gave 327 employees the opportunity to give back 556 volunteer hours to their communities in 11 counties.

Did you know that you can also enjoy a unique thrifting experience at the Goodwill Outlet? Outlets offer merchandise from our Goodwill Store & Donation Centers a second chance to sell at bargain-priced by-the-pound rates before being recycled.