Blog Posts

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.

Thrifting or shopping secondhand is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint while finding some really cool and unique items that you wouldn’t be able to get elsewhere.

We launched the Employee Empowerment Network with the goal of confidentially engaging employees facing barriers to employment.

Goodwill’s Empower Youth program provides teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 from the Chicagoland area with job readiness training, skill building and support to prepare for and find their next job.

After being incarcerated, Antonio was driven to pave a new path and achieve a fresh start through employment but needed support and guidance to get there.

Goodwill believes in and supports the workforce of the future. Our support extends beyond our jobs programs for teens and young adults to include our employee volunteer efforts.

We’re invested in helping the workforce of the future take the first step in shaping their lives by providing the tools needed to navigate employment challenges and achieve their goals. To do this, we developed the Empower Youth: Career Training and Development program.

With the support of Goodwill TalentBridge, Seneca was provided a job with a liveable wage within 24 hours of interviewing.

Goodwill continues to recognize the value that volunteer work brings to our employees, our organization, and our communities.  Two recent events focused on advancing our commitment to youth by supporting literacy skills and another on creating healthy communities.

To find a good career fit, Gunther partnered with our Goodwill funded by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as a job developer through our Temporary Work Experience program.

Matthew Ellis is a graduate of Goodwill’s first Boys and Men of Color program cohort where he participated in an eight-month learning and mentorship experience focusing on workplace skills and personal development.