Goodwill is 100% Local and a 100% Nonprofit. There is no multi million dollar CEO. It has an umbrella organization of 162 Goodwill regions across the US and Canada. A smattering around the world. They are part of Goodwill International but act independently from all Goodwills.
Best known for its stores: 11 retail stores and donation centers serving 14 South Central Wisconsin counties. 26% of Goodwill shoppers are shopping because they have to be at that price point; all others are there to find treasures.
If things don’t sell within 4 to 5 weeks, that item probably won’t move. All of that goes to resale market, secondary market. People buy scrap metal, clothing, shoes, books; all gets recycled into things like carpet padding or something else. Electronics go through an electronic recycling program with Dell Computers. They do a quality sort before putting things out on the floor.
Retail is one of the things they do.
Business Model:
The real stores and donation centers that Goodwill SCWI operate serve as the economic engine for local community services.
More than 80% of the operating funds come from store sales. GW owns 3 group homes in Dane Co. for folks transitioning for up to two years.
Mission is helping people find their highest level of independence.
Supported Employment is the biggest program they have.
Doug and Dave
Supported Employment is not busy work, expensive for the employer labor intensive for the employer, just a “feel good”. Individuals are capable and excited to be in the workforce.
SCWI’s team partners with the job seeker to provide a thorough sills assessment to determine appropriate placement.
Targeted employment connections. Identifying the best candidate or each position.
Evaluate individual needs/wants and try to match that to a business in our community.
a. current employer/partner
b. referencing list generated by most supported employment organizations in Dane Co.
c. word of mouth
d. imagination
Working with Employer/Partners
People and places rematched in a space where potential employees may have barriers.
M3, Hotel Red, Ian’s, Prairie Athletic, Sujeo, Metcalfe’s, Kwik Trip, Land Rover/Jaguar are some of the employers they work with.
Proud to partner with over 110 local employer businesses who share this belief.
They are aware of things that would not be a good fit.
If any business in our club is interested in hiring GW employees, you can let GW know.
Sometimes, GW SCWI participants take on a slice of work that frees time for other employees.
Part of the process is identifying different aspects of a job from a new perspective.
Needed work is identified and existing positions are reimagined.
The low unemployment rate makes a good case for GW SCWI participants who are reliable, happy to work and in it for the long haul.
GW SCWI average retention rate for participants is about 9 years!
Story about Chef Evan from Lucille/Merchant taking David under his wing. David won a Wisconsin Job Honor Award. He is autistic and has communication skill issues but really blossomed from his work with Evan.
Go to goodwillscwi.org to watch the video on the NEWS page.
Spread the word about what Goodwill is!