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Powering possibilities across Central and North Central Wisconsin
When you donate and shop at Goodwill North Central Wisconsin, you’re powering what’s possible for individuals in our local communities across Central and North Central Wisconsin as they build job skills to sustain employment and improve their financial stability.
The Power of You & Goodwill NCW in Our Communities
When you donate
you’re not just passing along an outfit you no longer wear, you’re dressing someone for their next chapter.
The average donation creates about three hours of job training through Goodwill NCW Employment Services.
When you shop secondhand
you’re not just buy art. You’re surrounding yourself with beauty and inspiration.
On average, 90 cents of every dollar in sales is reinvested back into our mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment.
When you donate and shop, it means you’re powering possibilities for individuals with employment barriers in Central and North Central Wisconsin.
Meet Cole
Meet Cole! Cole first came to Goodwill NCW as a participant in the School to Work program at the Wisconsin Rapids store, followed by a year as a Work Experience Intern. This experience helped him build his employment skills, from getting used to a set work schedule to learning multiple different tasks and roles. Upon completion of his internship, Cole participated in the Project SEARCH program to further develop his work skills. After graduating from the program, Cole returned to Goodwill and applied for a position. His hard work and dedication paid off and he was hired as a Production Specialist at the Wisconsin Rapids store in spring, 2026! We’re proud to see Cole’s growth and to be a part of his journey.
Creating Pathways to Employment Through Partnership
Goodwill NCW is proud to partner with Aligned Employment to provide paid work experience opportunities for individuals working to overcome barriers to employment through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Together, we help participants build workplace skills, confidence, and experience in Goodwill retail locations across northern Wisconsin.
Founded by Tera Nicholson, a longtime employment advocate, Aligned Employment shares Goodwill’s commitment to creating opportunities that lead to lasting success. One example is Andy, a hearing-impaired former program participant who, with support from DVR and Aligned Employment, gained valuable work experience at Goodwill and is now a permanent team member. Partnerships like this demonstrate how collaboration can open doors and create meaningful employment opportunities that change lives.
Tera, founder of Aligned Employment shares, “I have been active with Goodwill since the day they opened in my little town over 19 years ago, both professionally and as a customer. The team is patient and offers guidance without hesitation. It is the reason that our partnership is as strong today as the day it opened. We collaborate and work hard to make great opportunities happen for others.”