Katie Timmer became a program participant with Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) in June 2010, starting in the pre-employment training program at the Menasha Goodwill store. Her responsibilities included hanging and pulling apparel, as well as pricing new goods.

In the early years, Katie often worked alongside a teammate who helped guide her through the apparel hanging process. Adjusting to new tasks wasn’t always easy for her. However, with patience, support, and determination, Katie continued to develop her skills and confidence, taking important steps toward long-term employment.

As 2015 approached, Goodwill NCW announced a major renovation project for the Menasha Goodwill store. During this time, Katie was given a temporary work placement at the Ralph B. Shiner Jr. Center, where she transitioned to working with the Contracted Services team. This opportunity allowed her to expand her skill set beyond retail, gaining hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.

At the Shiner Center, Katie was introduced to a variety of new tasks, including small sub-assembly projects, collating, kit creation, sorting, labeling, and packaging. This setting challenged her to adapt to different workflows and refine her attention to detail. Through this experience, she continued to build confidence and versatility, demonstrating her ability to thrive in diverse work environments. Katie began demonstrating significant growth in her ability to take on new job tasks with confidence. She became more vocal in the workplace, speaking up for herself and engaging with her team. As she gained experience, her focus and efficiency became evident, quickly proving her ability to produce high-quality work at an impressive pace.

After renovations at the Menasha Goodwill store, Katie’s dedication and skills made her an invaluable part of the Contracted Services team at the Shiner Center. Initially splitting her time between both locations, Katie’s strong impression led her to transition fully to the Shiner Center, where she continued to thrive and inspire others with her hard work and perseverance.

Over the next few years, Katie’s hard work and dedication earned her well-deserved recognition. In October 2019, she was named Achiever of the Month, and in March 2020, she had the honor of representing Goodwill NCW as an honorary captain for a Wisconsin HERD basketball game!

In 2022, Goodwill NCW identified the opportunity to focus skill building through inclusion and community-integrated employment. This led to the creation of the Group Supported Employment (GSE) program, which shifted contracted work from Goodwill facilities to local businesses.

“We created Group Supported employment, and Katie was one of the first pioneers to join our group,” said Tina Schaffert, Mission Team Leader. Katie embraced the opportunity, splitting her time between improving her skills at the Oshkosh West retail store and gaining valuable experience at the GSE site, Silver Star Brands in Oshkosh.

Katie quickly began demonstrating greater independence at both her GSE site and the Oshkosh West store, requiring less support from her GSE employment coach and successfully achieving all the goals set by her case manager. When the opportunity to become a hired team member at the store was presented, Katie and her family agreed it was the right next step for her. With plans set in motion to support her in this goal, she interviewed for a part-time position in February 2025 and was officially offered the job!

“She’s been breaking barriers her whole life,” said John Timmer, Katie’s father. “So, this is another step. It’s a big one though and she’s really excited about it.”

Katie’s journey with Goodwill NCW is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and willingness to grow. From her early days in the pre-employment training program to gaining independence and securing a position as a hired team member, she has continued to break barriers and reach new milestones.

“Every parent wants their child to do well, and she’s exceeded our expectations along the way,” said John. “Now she’s part of the community.” 

She’s been breaking barriers her whole life

Her story is an inspiration to others on similar paths, showing that with the right support and determination, meaningful employment is achievable.

As Katie embarks on this exciting new chapter, we celebrate her achievements and look forward to seeing her continued success at the Oshkosh West store.

We celebrate Katie Timmer and her incredible journey with Goodwill NCW!