In 2022, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois served 22,663 people in many different ways, but with the same end goal – helping people create opportunities to enhance their lives.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois established the following goals–

  • Increase opportunity and efficiency in all our retail stores and mission service programs
  • Live our value of constant learning for all – our participants, our employees, and our community
  • Serve all of our communities with mission service programming, and
  • Position Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois as a leader among thrift retail, mission services, and employers

Workforce Programs

Supported Employment Program

  • We helped 1,084 individuals obtain employment in our communities.
  • 100% of participants surveyed were satisfied with our program.

One Stop Operator/Adult/Dislocated Worker Programs

  • Goodwill is a proud partner of The Workforce Connection, where we serve individuals in training, education, and employment in Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties.
  • Career Center Visitors – Served 9,828 individuals throughout all Career Centers with 28,913 visits.
  • 942 adults and dislocated workers enrolled in the training and employment program.
  • 155 individuals participated in paid work-based learning, exploring careers, and learning essential skills on the job
  • The Workforce Connection supported impacted workers that were laid off from the auto industry layoffs in Boone County, providing 21 onsite events and serving 1,449 people in rapid response services.
  • Satisfaction rate of 96% for secret shoppers at sites.

Elevate Youth

  • Serves youth ages 16-24 through the Elevate Youth Program.
  • We served 467 youth with career services, training, credentials, case management, and support.
  • 62 participants attended vocational training, including CNA, CDL, welding, and IT training.
  • 80 participants were able to earn and learn with work-based learning at area employers.
  • 136 credentials were received by our participants during this year.

Supported Work Programs

  • Program in 9 locations including Freeport, Rockford, Sterling, Ottawa, Huntley, Machesney Park, McHenry, Crystal Lake, and Beloit. We serve participants with disabilities and provide a supportive work environment, job coach, and continued training.
  • 125 participants provided earn and learn through the Supported Work program at Goodwill locations and community employers.
  • 80% of participants working in the community maintained their job for more than 120 days
  • 100% of our participants reported that they were satisfied with the Supported Employment program at Goodwill

Re-entry Programs

LifeLaunch

  • The LifeLaunch Program serves individuals ages 18-24 with legal system involvement and provides intensive case management services, work experience, employment readiness development, and support services.
  • In 2022, Goodwill served 110 individuals and of those enrolled, 63% received an Industry recognized certification.
  • Program participants’ recidivism rate is 1.15% (compared to the state average of 43%).

Community Navigation

  • Goodwill worked with 245 individuals in Winnebago County Jail and provided re-entry planning and resources during and after incarceration.
  • Goodwill began a Community Navigation program in Stephenson County in partnership with the county and probation and parole. Goodwill served over 300 individuals with justice involvement and provided services including assistance with housing, birth certificates and ID assistance, expungement referrals, employment services, and more.

Education Programs

GoodGRADS Program

  • GoodGRADS provides adult basic education, GED classes, and wrap-around supports including scholarship funding for GED testing.
  • In 2022, GoodGRADS expanded programming and now serves Winnebago County, Boone County, LaSalle County, and McHenry County.
  • 285 students were served in 2022 with 83.9% retention for students. 94.6% of students were satisfied with the program and 40% of students increased their math and/or reading scores each session.
  • We provided 932 GED scholarships for individuals to take the GED test in all communities and 170 individuals obtained their GEDs.

Round Up Community College Scholarships

  • Goodwill provided scholarships to individuals with disabilities and barriers to attend community college programs at Rock Valley College, Highland Community College, McHenry Community College, Kishwaukee College, Illinois Valley Community College, Blackhawk Technical College, and Sauk Valley College.

Support Programs

Community Partnerships and Vouchers

  • Provided vouchers for clothing, home goods, and coats for over 940 individuals in need – for employment clothing, clothing for kids, and household goods for individuals coming out of incarceration.
  • Worked with the Illinois Department of Corrections and NiReach to ensure individuals returning to the community have a place to live and household goods to begin their life anew.
  • Partnered with Freeport and Lena area schools to provide over 30 backpacks to elementary students.
  • Assisted with set up and stocking of various career closets including at Rock Valley Community Partners (Beloit, WI), Nashold School (Rockford, IL) and many others.
  • Through the Food Pantry program, Goodwill collaborated with Northern Illinois Food Bank and provided groceries and food for 3,496 families at the pantry at Machesney Park Goodwill Store.

Corporate Citizenship

  • In 2022, Goodwill diverted over 19 million pounds from our local landfills by recycling cardboard, shoes, clothing, and metals, and computers.

Retail Customers

  • In 2022, Goodwill retail locations had over 1 million customers at our 12 store locations. Goodwill has 12 retail stores and one attended donation center.

Financial Information