In the shoes of a Goodwill employee A job at Goodwill is more than a paycheck...it’s life!

"Just because you start at the bottom, it does not mean it will take you longer to get to the top."--Iyanla Vanzant

Last week I walked in the shoes of a Goodwill Industries employee. Many of you may be shocked to know Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin is more than a chain of retail stores that resell clothing and furniture.

It’s much bigger than that, doing many good things throughout 23 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois where they contribute as an employer, service provider and business partner.

The multi-multimillion dollar quasi nonprofit and commercial corporations proudly touts its mission "to provide training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages, who seek greater independence," Goodwill has been doing it since 1919.

Goodwill Industries Southeastern Wisconsin is the largest in the nation. It was incorporated on October 6, 1919. Its first headquarters was 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 World War I.

Goodwill responded by creating employment opportunities for veterans with disabilities and older workers displaced by the return of younger individuals.

Each decade since its inception, Goodwill Industries has responded with action to those who only needed a hand-up, thus becoming a hero to many.

Presently under the direction, of President and CEO, John L. Miller, who is backed by an excellent executive team, a board of directors from all walks of life, 3,485 smiling employees along with 1,458 heroic disabled employees; Goodwill continues to touch the lives of many with a strong belief in the "power of work," serving people with the human compassion of dignity.

Just like Star Trek’s Starship Enterprise, Goodwill continues to seek new frontiers to explore that will provide even more opportunities for people in need. Goodwill has forged partnerships with Walgreens, the largest pharmacy company in the Midwest.

Goodwill has also developed a new relationship with MATC, jointly establishing a program called "Opportunity Worker," which provides employment opportunities and support for high school graduates with severe disabilities. The program helps provide a solution to a long waiting list for those graduates seeking employment.

Just like any other business, Goodwill partakes in the competitive bidding process like any other private company, promising quality, quick turn-around time, etc. I’ve seen some of the work of the employees and they can compete with the best.

The excellent work at Goodwill has not gone unrecognized. They have received numerous awards and recognitions, the "4 Star" Exceptional rating in 2006 from Charity Navigation, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities, as well as the three-year CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and recognition by the Chicago Common Council for their "Yes, Father Project" whose goals are to stop the cycle of poverty by educating fathers to become good parents and assist with employment.

As I traveled through department after department, I could visibly see the challenges and barriers many of the employees would face in the broader work community. Due to the severity of their disabilities: blindness, loss of limbs, birth defects and the mental challenges. But despite those challenges, no one--neither I or anyone else could have told them that they were different from other human beings on this planet. I’ve seen hope, y’all, human beings of great dignity, displaying unlimited purpose in life and being productive human beings just like everybody else. Moreover, they are treated with such dignity.

I stopped to chat with some of the workers who were stuffing inserts in plastic bags for the "Journal/Sentinel." Though what they were doing looked like piecework and man, can they move the pieces! They are good and they really appear to enjoy it.

I then moved into a department where the employees were doing piecework for Briggs and Stratton. The workers greeted me with such friendliness. The first to greet me were Debra and Rita (only first names are being used to identify the workers), hourly workers who are packers. They shared with me that they loved their job and with packing, you really have to concentrate. Combined, the two women have been employed with Goodwill for 23 years.

Bill is a label fitter and boxer. When I watched him, he was labeling the pieces for the lawn mower engines and oil filters for Briggs. David is what is known as a "floater." He knows how to do all the jobs. Mary does labels. She used to be a packer, but she could not keep up. They all say they love their jobs and it was genuine.

I met a young man named Juvenalis Asantemungu from Tanzania who is doing an internship with Goodwill. He is studying to get his Ph.D. at Marquette University. After doing his dissertation, he will be returning to his homeland to implement many of the things he has learned at Goodwill. "Goodwill is a wonderful organization," Asantemungu said.

"I have been at other nonprofits. But none is like the Goodwill, particularly with their mission and vision. We have so many who need this kind of help."

Vernora and David are box makers. David has been with Goodwill for 19 years and yes, he loves his job. Terrell loves his job as well doing heat shields.

I was then taken over to the Kelch assembly line. Here is where the little tops are inserted onto juice bottles. You must wear hairnets and have clean hands to do this job.

The laundry is also a commercial spot. Here they do sheets and gowns for the Veterans Administration and Froedtert Hospital.

Our next stop was the cafeteria where staffer Erma Jean works. Most of the employees are referred by DVR for training and rehabilitation, as well as receive food service certification, allowing them to work in restaurants and other kitchens.

The cafeteria also serves as a teaching place where other employees who are challenged learn how to become independent: purchasing meals when out, count money, learning how to function out in the broader society socially.

Being at Goodwill was a real revelation for me. Many of the disabled employees live in supervised group homes or with a relative, very few live on their own.

They are taught all the skills that go with a job, including how to be flexible on the job.

They must perform just as they would at any other job, except they are provided special accommodations if needed and an understanding of their special needs. There is an on-site medical department with a nurse on duty at all times.

Many of the employees are taught how to manage money, shop and socialize, all the little things many of us take for granted. They also receive individual therapy. There are a number of volunteers working with the participates in basic skills such as reading, writing and math.

What is a day with all work and no play. I was taken to the activity and therapy room. As I entered the room, I could see it was a dance class where the participants were doing the bunny hop, I loved it. They were on walkers, in wheel chairs, or blind. Nia teaches this class, she states this is enrichment and wellness.

"The place we do our exercises, we do yoga, music, all kinds of activities." All of the participates in this class have a developmental disability ranging from mild to manageable.

In the wellness environment, I was greeted by Willie, Paula, Mike, Steven and Steve N. who is blind but can play the keys boards as if he was Stevie Wonder or the late Ray Charles, he was playing the "Bunny Hop" and had the whole room jumping. Steve then played the rock ’n’ roll classic, "Love Potion #9" and had us all rockin’. He was wild and he could sing.

I had so much fun with all of them. Everyone was so free spirited and very welcoming. The Goodwill has a small choir and they have performed at Mayfair Mall, Goodwill Christmas parties and for the Goodwill in Waukesha. They get together once a month. Steve accompanies the choir on all sets. He has some amazing talent.

There are many social things for the employees and participates to partake in: Monthly field trips, cook-outs, parties and programs like the retirement party for one of the disabled workers who retired after 40 years of service to the company.

Yes, the disabled at Goodwill may not receive an employee benefits package and many are paid wages that are small to keep their needed healthcare.

But to them, working is more than receiving a paycheck. Working to them is a reason to get up in the morning to live life no matter what the adversities are.

Next Week: Goodwill Staffers whose lives have been changed and retail stores.