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News & Events
Creating Career Possibilities Together
Winter/Spring 2025 Newsletter
Family Stability Programs Uplift Minnesota Parents
Family Stability Programs at Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) provide holistic support for parents and connect them to education, training and employment, making a direct impact on children and families. Holistic services help participants meet basic needs, learn to navigate government systems, and connect to jobs so they can build thriving careers.
“Career goals and family goals are intertwined,” says Andrew Freeberg, director of Family Stability Programs.
“When we support parents to overcome challenges that may be affecting their family, they are more likely to reach their education and career goals and achieve stability.”
The “whole family” approach that integrates many services and partners fosters positive change for parents, positively impacting the next generation – their children. FAST (Families Achieving Success Today) is one of the unique Family Stability Programs with an innovative approach to working alongside families. “The most impactful aspect of FAST is the professional team integration,” says Katie Wagoner, workforce development manager at GESMN.
“Each team member knows about each family, whether officially working with them or not, including the children. Team members understand each other’s areas of expertise at the surface level, so participants do not have to wait for a specific person or be turned away when they stop into the office or call with a question. We meet every week to discuss ways to support specific families. It’s both collaborative and integrated. Our collective thinking is much better than just one person’s brain.”
Your Support Matters
Gifts from you help fund programs that remove employment barriers to build thriving careers and stable families.
Participant Stories
GESMN Reentry Program helps Pedro secure a job and a fresh start
The Reentry Program at Goodwill-Easter Seals MN helped Pedro secure two jobs. April is ‘Second…
GESMN’s individualized job support helps Tammy succeed
Since 2013, Tammy has worked with GESMN to develop job skills, build confidence and maintain…
Finding the right job gave Justice renewed self-confidence
Justice worked in several fields including manufacturing, warehouses and fast food, but none lined…
2024 Annual Report Highlights
- 5,611 individuals from 70 MN counties served.
- Partnered with 62 schools and 18 colleges to help youth explore career interests and skills.
- 5,106 support services provided to meet needs for food, clothing, work tools, housing, childcare, transportation and technology.
Annual Power of Partnerships Event Honors Five Organizations
“Partnerships are the backbone of what we do,” said Sheila Olson, chief services and programs officer at GESMN, during the annual Power of Partnerships luncheon on December 3, 2024.
The event brought together over 125 local leaders, advocates and champions of workforce development to showcase the impact of collaboration and honor partner organizations that help transform lives by creating career opportunities.
GESMN Partner Honorees
- South Washington County Schools
- Rochester Family Services
- Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence
- Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
- Minneapolis Regional Chamber
GESMN Invests in the Future of Workforce Development
New Career & Services Campus
Opening in Fall 2025
The new Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota Career & Services Campus, located in St. Paul’s Energy Park neighborhood, will open in Fall 2025.
The expanded main campus will foster growth and innovation based on participant career paths and labor force needs. Each year, GESMN serves more than 5,000 people and works with over 500 employers, helping strengthen our local and regional economies, while addressing systemic barriers to accessible employment that persist in our community.
“The new GESMN Career and Services Campus will meet the needs of a changing workforce. I’m excited that our new facility and its design will help us create career possibilities together with employer and community partners to serve even more people for years to come.”
- Michael Wirth-Davis, GESMN President and CEO
New Career & Service Campus will:
- Provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for program participants, employees and community partners to work, learn, collaborate and gather.
- Deepen our service to families through training and employment programs and a Twin Cities-based home for family stability programs.
- Prioritize individualized career training and education for high-demand fields. We will launch new technology training in solar panel installation, heat pump installation and electric vehicle support equipment repair.
Make a Planned Gift
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Register Today!
Power of Work Annual Fundraising Event
May 8, 2025
Quincy Hall, Minneapolis
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