Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, inc.'s retail program helps people with disabilities or other disadvantages obtain and maintain employment at one of its 66 stores throughout Kentucky by providing employment, training opportunities, and access to programs and resources that address barriers to employment. The stores sell a variety of merchandise (donated by the general public) to the community at discounted prices to create jobx, to divert items from local landfills, and to generate funding to support employment counseling, educational programs and job training services, and other barrier reduction programs. During 2023, 2,494 individuals with disabilties or other disadvantages particpated in the retail program, and the program paid wages to individuals with disabiliities and other disadvantages totaling $29,184,660. Additionally over 50 million lbs were diverted from landfills.

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc. senior community employment service program (scsep) through a national department of labor (dol) grant is designed to link low-income, older workers to on-the-job training that can help them move into paid employment. Through scsep, Goodwill matches eligible individuals age 55 and older with nonprofits or public agencies for on-the-job training in a professional work environment, paid by the scsep program. The scsep program served 355 individuals, made 11 full-time job placements, 37 part-time job placements, while paying over $1,481,404 in mission-related wages.

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, inc.'s opportunity centers and mission integration services provide pathways to improved job status and greater self-sufficiency for individuals facing barriers to achieving or maintaining employment such as those with limited education, those recovering from addiction, former offenders re-entering society from incarceration, at-risk youth, the homeless or unhoused, and others experiencing chronic poverty. The 12 opportunity centers and young adult opportunity center provide personal counseling and job coaching, skills training, assessments, job placement and retention services, and access to additional barrier reduction programs and community partner resources. These programs made 4,029 full time job placements (including 1,566 individuals achieving improved job status such as a promotion, higher pay, or increased benefits), and 630 part time job placements. The programs delivered 16,068 services, including 2,830 individuals receiving soft skills certificates, 4,187 expungements, 100 receiving housing placements, 191 receiving financial literacy certificates, and 419 individuals completing higher education or an other recognized credential.

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc. (Goodwill) employs persons to provide janitorial and custodial services under contracts. These services are performed with a workforce comprised of more than 85% of persons with significant disabilities. This program is consistent with Goodwill's mission. These contracts employed 77 persons, and paid $888,396 in mission-related wages.the cars to work program helps individuals obtain affordable transportation to achieve and maintain employment. Participants receive financial counseling and guidance to help them properly budget for and maintain their vehicle. Upon program completion, participants are eligible for down payment assistance and a loan through a dealer partner which is collateralized by Goodwill. Loan interest is reimbursed to participants successfully making all payments at the end of the loan term. Families are also enriched by access to transportation as clients' children may be able to participate in after-school activities, perhaps for the first time. In addition, clients have the opportunity to build their credit rating and improve their credit score. During 2023, 123 vehicles and $130,944 in down payment assistance and interest payment reimbursement were provided. In addition to vehicles, the cars to work - last mile to work program repairs and provides bicycles to participants with transportation barriers. The last mile to work program provided 311 bicycles to participants. Goodwill's excel center is a tuition free high school that gives adults ages 18-64 a second chance to earn a high school diploma. The excel center offers support services such as on-site child care, transportation assistance, college credit, and industry-recognized certification courses. Through access to additional Goodwill programs such as employment and disability services, a justice-involved reentry program, and services for first-time mothers, the excel center is able to help remove barriers to education and empower individuals to achieve their goals.