Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana’s Mission is: Goodwill empowers and prepares people for independence through training, personal growth and work. The good that Goodwill is able to accomplish begins and ends with people in our northeast Indiana community. People generously donate household goods to us, we sell it in our stores and online, and use the money we raise to open doorways for people who need jobs, but lack job skills and opportunities.

We focus on people in the greatest need who are ready to transform their lives – offering our clients “a hand up, not a handout.” Goodwill’s free services benefit people with disabilities, youth with disabilities, recipients of public assistance, ex-offenders and people with limited education or work history. Services are tailored to each individual and could include benefits analysis, work evaluations, job placement, retail and workplace training, supported employment and follow-along services.

We do not use the Special Minimum Wage Certificate nor operate sheltered workshops. Goodwill supports over 270 jobs that range from entry level, hourly positions starting at $13.50 to professional, salaried positions. Full-time employees receive an array of benefits to choose from including medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, holidays and a matched retirement plan.

The Better Business Bureau says that a good charity channels at least 65% of its revenue into mission-based services. At Goodwill, 91.9 cents of every dollar we spend is reinvested back into our northeast Indiana community through jobs, services and program related expense.

Donations stock our stores to support Goodwill’s Mission, but there are real costs associated with each donation. An attendant unloads donations, processors sort and price items, cashiers help customers, janitors keep the stores’ clean, truck drivers and material handlers transport goods to the stores, excess and seasonal goods are warehoused and every store location has operational expenses (rent, utilities, technology, insurance, maintenance, equipment, fixtures and fire/burglar alarms).

Goodwill is a private not-for-profit organization. Our services to you and the employer are free. Our funding comes from Indiana’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services, revenue generated through Goodwill store sales, people who “Round Up” their change at the stores’ check-out counters and grants. We are nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an agency that sets quality standards of performance for various non-profit organizations.

Goodwill serves youth, adults with disabilities and disadvantages who are referred by Indiana Family & Social Services Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

For Indiana FSSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services information, please visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/rehabilitation-employment/vocational-rehabilitation-employment/.

For additional information about Goodwill’s services, please contact Randy Wolf, Goodwill Client Services Director at 260-478-7617 extension 1019 or [email protected].

We help people find jobs in the community, wherever that may be, based on each individual’s specific needs. We work together to find jobs that match an individual’s strengths, skills and abilities in all types of industries. We have helped people find employment in retail, manufacturing, warehousing, office settings and etc., from professional to entry level.

Goodwill staff are willing to meet at times and places that are convenient for our clients: our office, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, any Goodwill store, libraries, restaurants, or wherever they choose. However, we do not typically meet in client’s homes unless their disability makes it necessary.

Our Employment Specialists have between 3 – 14 years’ experience with Goodwill. They generally come from either a Human Resources background, Education/Teaching, or other professional job placement service such as temporary services or job search agencies.

Goodwill Employment Specialists receive additional training in placing people with disabilities from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, receiving a certificate in Employment Specialist Training. They also have Benefit Information Network (BIN) training as a BIN Liaison through the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Center on Community Living and Careers. This allows them to support people with disabilities with information on how working may impact an individual’s state or federal benefits.

Our Job Coaches have varied professional backgrounds, but usually are selected to work at Goodwill because of their training/teaching experience.

Goodwill provides additional staff training throughout the year and staff read industry publications and periodicals. Everyone has First Aid and CPR Certifications and ongoing safety training.

All staff members adhere to a strict code of values and ethical conduct emphasizing confidentiality, professional behavior and avoiding conflicts of interest.