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Goodwill Industries

of Southwestern Michigan

We believe in people. positivity. success. collaboration.

What Do We Do?
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A Pathway To a Career In Childcare!

A paid apprenticeship for a new career!

Are you interested in a career in childcare where you can help families and children learn? Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan is partnering with YWCA Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Southwest Child Care Resources, and several other agencies to provide a career pathway for you!

As a program participant you will receive:

  • An individual plan to help you reach your goals
  • Professional development to help you gain and improve your skills
  • Academic and tutoring support to help you complete the program

 

The Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway is a great way for you to get started on your path to a career in childcare. A major part of this program is a full-time, paid, eight-month apprenticeship, which will result in a Childcare Development Associate (CDA) and employment as an Early Learning Professional at the Edison Children’s Center. YWCA will begin training staff as they are hired with CDA training beginning in April 2021.

Goodwill is proud to play an important part in helping you make progress toward achieving your career and academic goals. If you need help with earning a GED or some additional tutoring to prepare you for the Early Childhood Education apprenticeship process or connect you to other jobs, Goodwill’s Adult Education and Training Program, along with Kalamazoo Literacy Council, can help. All services are free.

Learn more about this exciting program where you can get paid to complete your training and work in this exciting career.

Get started today! 

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Ending Poverty through Life Guides.

Our mission is to improve the community and help families escape poverty. The main components of this are employment, education, job training, and support services. Escaping poverty is no easy task, so we designed a program to help. Life Guides is a 20 year commitment to families that want a better life. Team members focus on skills and support for life’s most important areas. Areas of focus are jobs, safe housing, access to education, and financial literacy. The end goal is for families to no longer rely on government help. To become happy, self sufficient, and lead a fulfilling life for them and their family.

What Is life Guides?

Help For Anyone!

As the need for help has increased recently we’ve looked for ways to expand and meet the needs of our community. As of today, we are launching Get Help at Goodwill. This service is designed to help those that have a challenging time finding resources and filling out forms/applications/paperwork that is often required to get the help they need.  

The best part? This service is available to EVERYONE!

What can we help with?

  • Filling out and submitting applications (Not computer savvy? No computer?)
  • Finding resources (Not sure where to go to get the help you need?)
  • Navigating paperwork or the application process (Not sure how to fill out a required section?)

And much more! Do not hesitate to call, email, or text us. We will get you the help you need!

Email: gethelp@goodwillswmi.org
Call Us: (269) 422-0327
Text Us: (269) 422-0327

 

This wouldn’t be possible without our awesome community partners! 

United Way Battle Creek Kalamazoo Logo

What We Do

We are more than just a thrift store and a place to drop off your old clothes! As a nonprofit organization our main focus is helping people escape poverty through education and employment so they can reach their full potential. The main programs that are designed to do just that include: Forklift Certification, Basic Computer Education, Adult Education (GED), Job Development, and Workers On Wheels. We live by our mission, “Tailoring employment, education, training, and support services to individual needs.” These programs are funded through donations, thrift store sales (92% of every dollar goes into our programs), supply chain solutions, and helping small businesses and startups get off the ground. Support our mission by finding a retail store near you and find out why we have the best thrift stores in Michigan

By The numbers

Community Impact

1
Volunteers
1
Services Provided
1
Families in Life Guides
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Platinum Guidestar Rating

Our commitment to being as transparent as possible, to earn your trust and the trust of the communities we serve! Search Goodwill of Southwestern Michigan.

People Services

Nonprofit Programs Designed Around Our Community

Adult Education - GED​

Education is paramount to improving someone’s life. We know this at Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, that’s why we go the extra mile to help adult learners obtain the necessary education to pass their GED exam. 

Workers On Wheels

We offer safe and affordable vehicles to residents. Transportation is still a major barrier to getting a job for those in poverty. Our goal is to remove this barrier so those that want to work are able to. This is a step away from dependency and a step closer to self-sufficiency. The donation process is easier than you’d think!

Forklift Training

Barriers to employment have been our focal points when helping people find jobs. Often times forklift certification happens on the job, but what if that’s whats holding you back from getting hired? Thats where we come in.

Job Development

This is no generic “show up and fill out paperwork” program. We’re here to personally see you succeed by providing one on one job employment attainment services tailored specifically to individual vocational goals. 

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Supply Chain Solutions

Saving companies (on average) between 35-50% of their current costs.

This wouldn’t be possible without our community partners.

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© Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan 2020 All rights reserved

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this for? ¿Para quién es este?
People who want a career in early childhood education. Personas que quieren una carrera en educación infantil.
What is it? ¿Qué es?
A career pathway with support to help you reach your long-term career goals. Una formación vocacional con apoyo para ayudarlo a alcanzar sus metas profesionales a largo plazo.
What is an apprenticeship? ¿Qué es un aprendizaje?
An apprenticeship pays you while you get trained for the job. Un aprendizaje le pagará mientras le capacitan para el trabajo.
When will it begin? ¿Cuándo empezará?
You can apply for this apprenticeship beginning January 2021. It is full-time. Puede aplicar para este aprendizaje a partir de enero de 2021.La posición es a tiempo completo.
If I’m offered a position where will I be employed? Si me ofrecen un puesto, ¿dónde trabajaré?
YWCA Kalamazoo Children’s Center Centro Infantil de YWCA Kalamazoo
Why is this opportunity being offered? ¿Por qué se ofrece esta oportunidad?
To have more people with credentials to work in early learning and child care programs in the neighborhood. To help create more home child care slots in the neighborhood. Tener más personas con credenciales para trabajar en programas de educación temprana y guarderías en el vecindario. Para ayudar a crear más espacios de cuidado infantil en el hogar en el vecindario.
Why should I apply? ¿Por qué debo solicitar un puesto?
You should apply if you want a career where you can make a difference in the lives of children and families in your neighborhood. Debe presentar una solicitud si desea una carrera en la que pueda marcar una diferencia en la vida de los niños y las familias de su vecindario.
How can I apply? ¿Cómo puedo solicitar un puesto?
Complete this form. Complete este formulario de interés.

Like Saving Money?

(Let's be real, we all do!)

50% off sales at least once a month, then there’s the random sale we give our community members (possibly you?) a head’s up on!