Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) helps people with mental health and/or substance use conditions find and keep jobs.

At Goodwill, we're not just about second-hand goods; we're about first-class transformations. Through job training, education, and employment, we're proud to share how we’ve supported your neighbors in weaving success stories out of sheer determination.

Kat Jasper holds a rare position: a full-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. She is the manager of Goodwill Great Lakes’ ASL interpreting department and provides ASL/English interpretation for approximately 40 employees who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

The Home Delivered Meals program is a free service for homebound older adults over 60 that includes delivery of hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday.

Goodwill convened community leaders to focus on the regional economy and the power of workforce development to help job seekers connect to essential resources and opportunities that fuel the growth of individuals, businesses and communities in Chicago.

To help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness for participants of Goodwill’s Home Delivered Meals program, we collaborated with Milwaukee-based nonprofit, TimeSlips Creative Storytelling, on their “Beautiful Questions” project.