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Powering possibilities across Chippewa Valley and Coulee Region
When you donate and shop at Goodwill North Central Wisconsin, you’re powering what’s possible for individuals in our local communities across Chippewa Valley and Coulee Region 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 giving away books; you’re passing on stories that spark imagination.
The average donation creates about three hours of job training through Goodwill NCW Employment Services.
When you shop secondhand
you’re not just buying a new-to-you book; you’re opening the door to another world.
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 Morrigan!
Morrigan joined the School-to-Work program at the Lake Hallie Goodwill store during her senior year of high school while facing significant personal and financial challenges. Initially hesitant to enter the workforce and uncomfortable with customer interaction, she requested a production role to avoid front-line service responsibilities.
Through her experience in the program, Morrigan developed strong digital and workplace skills while improving her accuracy and confidence in cashiering and everyday problem-solving. Most notably, she demonstrated remarkable personal growth, becoming more confident, communicative, and comfortable engaging with both customers and team members.
Morrigan’s supervisor, assistant store manager Mary, shared, “Morrigan has gotten so much more independent, and her people skills have really improved. She’s always happy and talkative and greets people with a ‘good morning’ and a smile every day. She stays busy, looks for ways to help wherever she can, and never slacks off once a task is finished.”
Following her success in the program, Morrigan enrolled in the CNA pathway through Career EXCELerate and plans to begin classes shortly after graduating high school. She credits her School-to-Work experience at Goodwill NCW with giving her the confidence to pursue her long-term goal of attending Chippewa Valley Technical College and becoming a nurse.
Overcoming Barriers: Henry’s Journey to Independence
Henry came to Goodwill NCW through the Work Skills Training Program, where he set goals to improve his social skills, overcome transportation barriers, and achieve financial independence. Despite challenges with mobility, he consistently met his basic job responsibilities. However, when initially considered for hire, Henry was encouraged to demonstrate greater initiative and drive, leading to an extension of his training program. During this time, he showed significant growth in work ethic, proficiency, and physical mobility, along with a stronger commitment to his role. His progress resulted in being hired as a team member at the La Crosse Goodwill store.
Henry’s journey highlights the impact of skills training, persistence, and community resources in achieving long-term employment success.