Peoria Standard

The McDonough County Voice recently reported that Goodwill is the official recipient of the Heart of Illinois United Way’s Community Impact Fund Grant. 

“Along with the sale of donated goods, we rely on agencies like the United Way to help fund these free programs, Goodwill President and CEO Don Johnson told the Voice. “They have always been a gracious partner and we continue to rely on their generosity.”

With the influx of new funds, Goodwill can now provide digital-skills training, youth mentoring and employment services for the more than 300 Goodwill workers in Central Illinois. The company has teamed up with more than 300 local employers to provide career-building assistance and resources like job placement and help with creating a resume, according to its website. 

Don Johnson | https://www.goodwillpeo.org/

Other job-search services provided included computer-skills training, people-skills training, employment services centers and hiring events. The company also offers the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans, a 15-bedroom home that was initially opened in 2005 and provides customized holistic programs to help meet the needs of individual residents.

Youth services that Goodwill offers include the GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program for ages 12-17, various workshops and activities, and assistance with finding sufficient employment.

“Our employment services are vital, especially now, which makes this funding mean even more,” Goodwill Director of Program Services Lori Johnson told the Voice. 

Goodwill of Central Illinois also took to its website to thank the Heart of Illinois United Way for its assistance.

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has locations at the Chillicothe Donation Center, Canton, East Peoria, Galesburg, Goodwill Commons, Grand Prairie, Kewanee, Macomb, Minooka Donation Center, Morris, Morton, Pekin, Pekin Employment Services Center, Peoria-Pioneer Parkway, Peoria-University, Peru, Prairie Lakes Crossing and Washington.