For more information or a referral to any of our programs please call 382-0490

Vocational Evaluation

Paper and pencil and work sample testing intended to assess academics, skills, abilities, and interests of participants, in addition to identifying strengths and potential barriers to employment. Includes recommendations for future programming to help address a participant's specific needs.

Situational Assessment

A hands-on, simulated work environment assessment intended to identify a participant's work readiness skills and employability limitations within a specific field identified by the referring source.

Work Adjustment Training

A hands-on work assessment intended to increase vocational potential of trainees through the provision of vocational and work behavior based training. Specific individualized goals are created for each participant, and targeted case management is provided to assist participants in reaching these goals.

Job Development and Placement

One on one job placement assistance intended to assist participants in obtaining permanent, competitive employment. Services can include assistance with resumes, job leads, interviewing, employer contacts and job retention.

Supported Employment

One on one job placement assistance intended to assist participants with severe mental illness in obtaining and maintaining employment. Services can include assistance with resumes, job leads, interviewing, employer contacts and job retention, including long-term coaching as needed.

Job Coaching

Assistance with training an employed participant using structured intervention techniques to help the participant learn to perform tasks to the employer's specifications, as well as work on interpersonal skills or other areas for improvement.

Career Camp

A three week program intended for transition youth, to provide them with hands-on paid vocational exploration in a variety of settings as well as classroom based soft skill learning opportunities.

Transitional Work Program (TWP)

A 75 day, 20 hour/week transitional work experience program provided to participants who are engaged in long-term Goodwill programming (LifeGuides, job development, GED/ABE, or the Financial Opportunity Center) intended to assist consumers in increasing their work readiness skills and transitioning into community based competitive employment.

Retail Training

Training targeted to prepare individuals for employment in a retail environment through classroom and workplace experience.

Computer Skills Training

Training teaching participants computer skills—from entry-level/basic skills to advanced Microsoft programs.

Helping Individuals Re-Enter through Employment (HIRE)

A Partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)

12 weeks of paid work experience for MRS clients who are ex-offenders, coupled with intensive case management services to assist in addressing needs, including employment, housing, finances, and other needs as they arise; participants receive job development services throughout the course of their participation.
 

Life Guides

Established to assist families decrease generational poverty. Families with children ages 0-3 over a 20 year period will be provided with individualized coaching, goal setting, and will create supportive networks.  The Life Guides Initiative will provide incentives to families based on their individualized goals, with the flexibility to meet needs not otherwise covered in the community.
 

Y Work
A Partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)

Provides 180 hours of paid work experience to youth who are exiting the school system. Coupled with case management, placement, and job coaching services, the goal is to assist participants in obtaining permanent, competitive employment.

Financial Opportunity Center
A Partnership with Local Initiatives, Support Corporation (LISC) and Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services (KNHS)

Established to assist participants to increase their income through three legs of service—employment coaching , financial coaching and income supports coaching (.  The coaches view each person as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole, while providing support to people to meet their self-determined goals.
 

Tax Counseling Initiative

Goodwill provides free tax preparation to people in Kalamazoo County with a household income of $51,000 or less.  This service is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program through the IRS.

The Family Stabilization for Educational Success Program

A Partnership with Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI), Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), The Seimer Institute for Family Stability, and the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

Aims to decrease homelessness and increase the stability of home environments for school aged children and their families so each person can realize their full potential.  The program connects families to income, school and housing services based on their individual needs.
 

Adult Literacy Programming
A Partnership with Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) and the Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Provides literacy services to adults seeking a GED.  Provides remediation for those seeking a GED who lack the literacy skills (9th grade reading and above) to enroll in GED preparation courses.

Workers on Wheels

Transportation has been identified as the most prevalent barrier to employment. Workers on Wheels provides participants with reliable vehicles for the purpose of maintaining or gaining employment.

Participants receive:

• Vehicles that have been inspected and are affordable and reliable
• Quarterly vehicle inspection and service
• Participant training to ensure that the vehicle owner has basic car care and preventative maintenance skills

Your Vehicle Donations are Needed!
Your donation provides someone with the transportation that they need to become self-sufficient and donations are tax deductible. Consider donating as an option to trade-in.

Call our Program Manager today, at either (269) 382-0490 or 1-800-343-0174, to donate your vehicle or to request more information.

Donor Information
In accordance with the new 2005 Tax Laws, if it is determined after mechanical inspection that the vehicle can be used by the program for a participant, the donor will receive a Tax Credit Certificate (4284) for Auto Donation (State), which is a $50.00 credit for individuals and a $100.00 credit for husband & wife filing jointly or single business tax. They will also receive a (1098-C) form, (Federal) an Acknowledgement Letter from the program containing the vehicle identification number and Kelly Blue Book value information to aid them in assigning their own fair market value which the donor would be entitled to a percentage of based on their tax bracket. (Goodwill does not assign the vehicle value, this information is provided only as a courtesy to the donor).

If the vehicle cannot be used by the program for a participant which would generally be due to the agencies inability to make the vehicle roadworthy and safe within a reasonable cost, the donor would receive an Acknowledgement letter from the program containing the vehicle identification number, the (4284) Tax Credit Certificate (State), and the (1098-C) form (Federal) both containing the amount that the vehicle was disposed for which the donor would be entitled to claim a percentage of depending on their tax bracket.

In either case, we will retain in our records a copy of what the blue book says the vehicle is worth at the time of donation and/or the amount the vehicle was actually disposed for if it was not used in the program. This information will be sent within 30 days or less from the time of vehicle pick-up. The program is looking for mechanically sound vehicles that need minor or no repairs. However, we do in rare cases accept non-running vehicles if they provide the means to repair an existing program vehicle, or need minor repairs to become mechanically sound.

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