Program areas at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Donated goods/retail operations Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids' donated goodwill/retail operations is a social enterprise consisting of 17 retail stores, an outlet center, and an aftermarket recycling center. These operations provide transitional paid work experiences for individuals while giving them opportunity to access programs and services including (but not limited to) work and life skills training, job skills training, connection to resources to address work barriers, and supportive services to reach their career goals. Employees at stores in the retail operations are also offered access to "blue print", an employee development program designed to grow the earning power of individuals though skill development and training that qualifies workers for promotion within Goodwill or a better job in the community. Donated goods/retail also generates funds that support Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids' many workforce development programs serving the community participants as described in part iii section 1.
To solicit, collect, receive and administer funds and make expenditures exclusively to or for Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids' workforce development programs focus on helping people prepare for the workplace and provide skills training programs for high demand positions such as certified nurse aide training. In 2023, Goodwill served 1,802 people from the community (in addition to our employees) helping them with services such as life skills building through our achieve program, resume writing and interview skills, resolving barriers to employment i.e. Transportation, career exploration, skills training, job placement assistance, and job retention support. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids serves transitioning youth with disabilities, people coming out of incarceration, people with disabilities and other work barriers, people living in chronic poverty, people recovering from substance abuse and homelessness, and others who need assistance to obtain and maintain employment.