Believing in People and the Power of Work

You might recognize Goodwill as a place to thrift for a good deal or donate unwanted items. Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) is a non-profit organization that provides a shopping experience beyond that of a traditional retail store. Every donation and purchase supports creating career pathways for individuals in the community through skill-building.

The Goodwill philosophy of providing a hand up, not just a hand out, dates back to 1902. Reverend Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator, collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of Boston. He trained and hired individuals who were struggling to mend and repair the used goods before reselling them or giving them to those individuals.

Goodwill NCW started addressing the needs of local communities in 1971. We serve 35 counties across northeast, north central and northwest Wisconsin with 28 retail store locations, including our outlet store.

Our mission is elevating people by eliminating barriers to employment. We provide pathways to the underserved, underrepresented or disadvantaged with a goal of building job skills that lead to sustained employment and improved financial stability. We partner with local businesses to create opportunities for individuals to secure and sustain employment and continue to offer guidance tailored to their unique needs that will help them reach their goals. Pathways may include:

Up-skilling through classroom style courses or certifications with on-the-job training within a Goodwill NCW location or local business.

Guiding participants through the stages of seeking and securing employment while sustaining success at work through career exploration, resume building and goal development.

Providing post-employment support through one-on-one coaching, job goal tracking, wrap-around services for challenges outside of work, and advocacy or coordination with their employer.

In 2023, individuals served by Goodwill NCW's mission programs increased their collective annual income by $4.6 million across north central Wisconsin.

We plan to continue strengthening  and growing our mission impact through partnerships and resource-sharing as we look to the future.

For more information about locations, programs and services, visit goodwillncw.org.