Mission
Goodwill provides training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence.

Vision
Our vision is to be the recognized leader in helping people with disabilities and other barriers to employment develop work and life skills, find work and successfully perform that work.

Links
Milwaukee Homepage www.goodwillsew.com
Chicago Homepage www.goodwillchicago.com
Goodwill Career Site
Shopgoodwill.com

History

1920s
Milwaukee Goodwill was incorporated on October 6, 1919; headquarters were located at the Summerfield Methodist Church on East Park Place. Its mission was "to provide a chance, not charity," to people society had labeled as unemployable, including thousands of soldiers returning from WWI. Goodwill responded by creating employment opportunities for veterans with disabilities and older workers displaced by the return of younger individuals.

1930s
When the Great Depression of the 1930s caused unemployment rates of 25% in Milwaukee County, Goodwill's innovation led to a cooperative effort with the Red Cross that distributed food and clothing to 30,000 needy Milwaukee families. Goodwill also served as a temporary employer of hundreds, enabling men and women to provide for their families.

1940s
During WWII, Goodwill focused on the growing number of persons with physical disabilities. Goodwill developed the internationally acclaimed "case management" model that extended personalized service to program participants.

1950s
Goodwill in the 1950s collaborated with local agencies, expanding services through Jewish Vocational Services and Curative Workshop, to provide on-site psychiatric, occupational and physical therapy services.

1960s
As the 50s ended, the Racine, Fox Valley and Madison Goodwill divisions were formed. Reflecting these changes and a growth in services, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center was built on the northwest side of Milwaukee. At its opening, this facility was the largest, freestanding Goodwill building in the nation. Individuals were referred for services from throughout Wisconsin as well as surrounding states.

1970s
In the 1970s, Goodwill used community resources to provide innovative programs. Goodwill established neighborhood campuses to provide work experience and support services for individuals with disabilities.

1980s
The idea of community-based services evolved in the 1980s, as 10 additional centers for adults and seniors with developmental disabilities were established. Continuing to expand services to the community, Portal Industries, a rehabilitation facility in Ozaukee County, became a Goodwill affiliate in 1986.

1990s
At the onset of the 90s, Goodwill identified a growing need for workforce development. The changing urban communities in which Goodwill operated required an innovative response, prompting Goodwill to help launch job centers in Kenosha and Milwaukee Counties. In 1999, Goodwill organizations in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago merged to create the largest Goodwill in North America. The primary goals of the merger were to increase the number of people served by Goodwill, unify the Goodwill brand in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, and create growth opportunities within the marketplace.

2000s
Goodwill's expansion continued into the next decade with the completion of several major building projects. The Goodwill Community Service Center in Waukesha houses both a retail and rehabilitation center. Goodwill Store & Donation Centers have become mainstream retail outlets specializing in a wide selection of high-quality resale goods. Retail Services has expanded to 24 stores, ten in Illinois and 14 in Wisconsin.

Human Services is why Goodwill exists. The agency has multiple locations across southeastern Wisconsin serving thousands of people, including adult day programs, independent living apartments, vocational and employment services, adult education and skill training in Business Careers, Light Industrial, Food Service, Forklift and AbilITy Connection. Senior Services helps individuals maintain their independence by providing case management, home-delivered meals and shopping and errand services. Goodwill's Work Services has on-site employment; providing experience in packaging, assembly and inspection for persons with severe and multiple disabilities.

Goodwill Great Lakes has experienced substantial growth, many new galleys opened creating more employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For over a quarter of a century, the U.S. Navy has partnered with Goodwill whose contracts include laundry, administrative and food service.

Goodwill's Commercial Services is considered a vendor of choice for manufacturers like SC Johnson, Briggs & Stratton and Kelch. SC Johnson formally recognized Goodwill's commitment to quality by honoring them with a "Partners in Quality Awards" for continuously exceeding expectations in packaging and service levels.