Goodwill Industries has played an essential role in providing jobs, skills development and economic prosperity for people who face challenges to finding employment such as poverty, disability, skills deficits and other disadvantaging conditions.
In 2018 Goodwill Industries, Essex Kent Lambton (Goodwill EKL) celebrated 85 years of mission services, workforce development, and training to help individuals find meaningful employment.
Prompted by changes in the economic landscape and timely transitions of leadership, Goodwill EKL, serving Sarnia, Windsor, Chatham and the surrounding regions, and Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes began collaborating over the past year to find synergies and efficiencies to foster continued success, promote sustainability and maximize opportunity to invest in people and mission.
A merger between the two Goodwill organizations came into focus as they worked together and realized the potential for more effective delivery of service and operational efficiency.
“It became clear that coming together as one Goodwill makes good sense,” said Lynne Cram, Chair of Goodwill Great Lakes’ board of directors, in a media release.
The board of directors and management of both organizations united the two Goodwill organizations within Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes effective March 31.
“The organizations will be stronger as one,” said Dave Watson, Chair, Goodwill EKL board of directors, “sharing a common mission, methods of operation, programs and brand.”
He said for the vast majority of team members, clients, mission services, stakeholders and business operations, little will change in the day-to-day workings of the merged organization.
“Growth is at the top of the agenda — creating more jobs, not fewer,” said Michelle Quintyn, Goodwill Great Lakes’ President and CEO. “The aim is to continue to create work opportunities for people who need them most, and advance individuals, families and communities toward economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.”
With roots and history in Essex, Chatham-Kent and Lambton that run deep, she said Goodwill will continue to have satellite corporate offices in the Sarnia-Lambton communities where it was founded, and where partners have been loyal and strong.
Goodwill Great Lakes is committed to building on the legacy of EKL to change lives through the Power of Work.
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