Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries

Workforce development program service:goodworks program. Goodwill believes that the integration between workforce development and retail is integral to its success. It launched the goodworks program in 2022, which offers three (3) distinct tracks: community integration, internship and advancement.community integration; job connection centers. The community integration track focuses on providing services to members of the community to assist with basic skill development aimed at employment. This track is provided within community partner settings and delivered via the six (6) job connection centers operated by goodwill.job connection centers provide job seekers resources to support finding employment and engaging in skill-building to support increased earning potential and career advancement. Services are free of charge and available on a drop-in or appointment basis. These services include: identifying local and regional job leads; career skills and interest assessments; online literacy support, including assistance creating an email address, online search success and safety tips, and submitting online job applications; assistance obtaining appropriate work-ready identification; resume and cover letter development; interview preparation and practice; provision of job-specific or interview clothing; and transportation assistance to interviews. Goodwill's first job connection center opened in medford in 2012, and goodwill now operates six (6) job connection centers, including the new ashland location. Internship. The internship track focuses on supporting individuals with challenging life circumstances to gain basic skills and relevant work experience utilizing positions within the organization. Internships are eight (8) weeks, during which the intern is assigned a paid role in one of goodwill's retail stores and is also paired with a coach to assist with barrier removal. Interns learn important job skills while under the support and guidance of both goodworks staff and retail store staff. Advancement. The advancement track is focused solely on goodwill's 320 employed associates. At the heart of this program is the belief that as a mission driven organization, goodwill's responsibility is to not only support individuals in the community, but to also support its associates. Through the advancement track, goodwill offers four "pathways" associates may voluntarily participate in: promotional, certification and education, health and well-being, and financial freedom. Together, these pathways are designed to support employees in their professional growth and personal development. Certification and education: this pathway is designed to support associates and their families in achieving their educational goals through obtaining certification and educational qualifications that enhance their skills and career prospects. This is supported through one-on-one coaching, access to tuition assistance (including the next generation fund) and access to additional support and services to equip participants with the resources to achieve their goals. In 2024, goodwill funded $73,711 in tuition assistance. This pathway served 93 individuals in 2024, with 26 of those participants also receiving support through tuition assistance. The next generation fund is a scholarship fund supported in part by retail customers; during the third week of every month, retail customers can contribute "round up" dollars toward the fund, which is reserved solely for relatives of goodwill associates.health and well-being: this pathway is designed to support the physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of an associate. It emphasizes the importance of one's overall wellbeing and provides access to relevant resources. This includes access to employee assistance programs, one-on-one coaching and goal setting sessions, classes and support services, and other areas that support an associate's holistic health. Financial freedom: this pathway is designed to support associates in achieving their financial literacy and independence goals. It equips individuals with the knowledge and access to resources they need to manage their finances effectively, make informed decisions, and work towards their long-term financial goals. In 2024, a total of 4,707 individuals were served through one of goodwill's employment and training programs or through goodwill's community partnerships. Of those people, 1,607 individuals were served through one of goodwill's employment and training programs and 3,100 people were served through a third-party community partner using goodwill funds.of the individuals in goodwill's employment and training programs, 187 gained employment with an average wage of $17.62 and worked an average of 27.02 hours per week. Goodwill's job connection centers recorded 4,217 visits from people seeking assistance with gaining employment.of the individuals in goodwill's employment and training programs, 187 gained employment with an average wage of $17.62 and worked an average of 27.02 hours per week. Goodwill's job connection centers recorded 4,217 visits from people seeking assistance with gaining employment.