Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin recently received a $50,000 grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to continue its robust employment and training programs to support people with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment in the community.

By Chris Hess, 
President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin

In the wake of COVID-19, the need for services in our communities has grown as more individuals face unemployment and uncertainty. During the Safer at Home order, Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (NCW) initiated new ways of meeting the immediate needs of the people we serve by adding virtual programming and getting innovative.

Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, our employment and work skills training programs will work to meet these growing needs. We are grateful for the extremely generous support from Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and United Way Fox Cities.

Goodwill NCW has been serving 35 counties throughout Wisconsin since 1971 and exists to provide opportunity to people with disabilities and disadvantages in the communities we serve through our mission of elevating people by eliminating barriers to employment. The lasting impact of the COVID-19 crisis will disproportionately affect those who have limited resources, options and access.

As we support people with barriers in their entry or return to a workforce that might look different following COVID-19, funding from the grant will support employment and work skills training through the following services in Winnebago, Calumet, Outagamie and Waupaca counties:

• Digital skills such as how to use email, perform video calls and use programs like Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Social skills such as learning stress management strategies, how to control attitude and be motivated, etc.
• Employment skills such as resume building, how to interview well and career exploration.
• Assistance with filing for unemployment benefits.
• Job coach and case management support as individuals return to the workforce needing guidance and training on required safety procedures.

We invite you to donate now to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. You can also learn about who has given to the fund, the fund’s grant recipients, and check out our latest news and updates.