MENASHA, WI – This March’s National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month theme promoted by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is A World of Opportunities, which aligns with the belief behind Goodwill’s mission that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive through the power of work.​

As one of more than 150 members of the international Goodwill movement, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) offers employment services to those who are underserved, underrepresented and disadvantaged, including people with disabilities.

“Goodwill NCW celebrates the ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities,” Kayla Countney, Manager of Mission Relations said. “We are proud to serve all those who face barriers to employment.”

In 2023, Goodwill NCW’s mission impact included the following outcomes:

• 75% of people who secured meaningful employment through Goodwill NCW programs shared they have at least one disability. Goodwill NCW programs provide pathways into the workforce to address the 81% unemployment rate among people with disabilities.
• Program participants with a disability who received Goodwill NCW employment services increased their collective annual income by more than $2.6 million, improving their financial stability and combating poverty rates that can be up to three times higher than for those without a disability.

Goodwill NCW invites north central Wisconsin to recognize National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this year by supporting local efforts.

Employers can reach out to Goodwill NCW to explore a partnership. Goodwill NCW programs provide job-skills training and employment placement services.

Community members can support Goodwill NCW programs that help individuals with disabilities prepare to enter a competitive work environment by shopping and donating at their local Goodwill NCW store because an average of 90 cents of every dollar in store sales is reinvested into the mission.