An Everyday Mission Supporting Everyday People
![man in a suit](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/3616/9808/0143/Michael.jpg)
A Message from Michael Wirth-Davis,
President and CEO of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota
Since 1919, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota has helped eliminate barriers to work and independence. What does that actually mean in everyday life for everyday people?
As President and CEO, I see our mission at work every day. I often get asked, “So many businesses have hiring signage posted and cannot find workers. Why don’t people want to work; isn’t getting a job easy?”
My answer is people absolutely want to work. But not all job seekers have access to the same start line; here is context to consider:
- The digital divide. Digital literacy, including reliable internet access to apply for jobs, disproportionately impacts seniors, low-income individuals, rural communities, people with disabilities and non-native speakers. We partner with Literacy Minnesota to provide free, one-to-one digital skills tutoring at our computer lab in St. Paul. Read more.
![typing-on-a-laptop](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/8416/9774/6497/computer_skills_tutoring-.jpg)
![man-standing-with-arms-wide-open](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/5916/8779/4528/Chris-ReEntry-edit-570px_tiny.jpg)
- A past affects a future. Chris lost his barber’s license while incarcerated and accessed our Re-Entry services to get his license reinstated, find mentorship support and is now thriving back in the barber shop. Meet Chris.
- Navigating a disability. One in 4 adults in Minnesota, or 23% of our population, has a disability that can require public benefits planning, job support or workplace accommodations. Leone got support from our job placement program when she was laid off. Meet Leone.
![woman-sitting-on-a-bench](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/3316/9323/7915/Leone-tiny.jpg)
![student graduate](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/4216/9237/4464/Dagme-tiny.jpg)
- Youth need extra support. Dagme stopped going to high school to provide for his newborn daughter. Catching up and getting a diploma is challenging, but with a little support from our YouthBuild program he went a long way. Meet Dagme.
- Equitable workforce opportunities. There are thousands of driven, talented Minnesotans who are often overlooked for careers with family-sustaining wages. Our Employer Accelerator training uses data-driven tools to teach more equitable hiring processes and inclusive resume evaluation to Minnesota’s employers. Learn how.
![employee-workers-together](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/8516/9774/7420/employer-accelerator-tiny.jpg)
Finally, every day we live our mission as an employer. I’m launching “I am Goodwill” employee profiles to shine a light on employees who embody our mission.
![woman-standing-outside](https://gesmncdn.azureedge.net/prod-website-cdn/1016/9774/7436/polina-tiny.jpg)
I am Goodwill. Polina is a Brooklyn Park Outlet Assistant Store Manager, working on a U.S. Humanitarian Visa from the Ukraine. She brought her experience managing a thrift store in the Ukraine to our organization as a new American.
“Goodwill gave me my first job in the United States. I can support my family back home in a safer environment. I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Polina said.
Employment is multi-faceted and it looks different for everyone. We see you. And we are here to help people who want to enter or advance in Minnesota’s workforce, every day.