Our mission
Helping people achieve their highest level of independence through the Power of Work.
Our mission is about building skills and confidence so that people in the community can attain success and independence. Because success looks different to each person, Goodwill SCWI provides the tools and support to remove barriers to employment and independent living.
When you donate and shop, you support our mission programs
Proceeds from the sales of donated goods at Goodwill SCWI’s 13 retail stores fund our life-changing mission programs and services for people facing barriers to employment and housing in our community. Thank you for your support!
Learn about our mission programs
Supported Employment helps adults with developmental disabilities gain confidence, build skills and enjoy greater independence working meaningful jobs at over 100 local employers. Goodwill SCWI provides job coaches at no cost to the employer or participant.
Calvin, one of our Supported Employment participants has been supported at work by a Goodwill SCWI job coach for 37 years. As a child, Calvin endured a brain tumor which impacted his development and hearing. When the job he held at a restaurant disappeared during the pandemic, he missed the camaraderie with his coworkers which had helped him build confidence.
Celeste entered Goodwill’s Supported Employment program in 2015 after graduating from a Madison high school transitional program at age 21. Celeste prefers to work alone as she is quiet and shy, her job at an insurance agency was a perfect fit. She was devasted when because of the pandemic, the job ended.
The Goodwill Supported Employment team knows that work needs to be fulfilling, fit the person’s work style and provide the right environment so the people we serve can thrive at their job. With this focus and their different work styles in mind, the Goodwill team helped Calvin and Celeste secure meaningful jobs they love at Tru Hotel in Stoughton. Both enjoy their new responsibilities and are valued as members of the team by their managers.
With your support, Calvin and Celeste are once again celebrating the Power of Work.
Supportive Housing supports adults with chronic mental illness learn the skills needed to live independently. At our group homes residents share communal meals and gain companionship. We also own and manage eight apartment buildings that provide permanent and affordable housing to low-income workers and others with chronic mental illness as well as low-income retirees. Goodwill employees are onsite at the group homes and apartments 24/7/365.
Stephen, a participant in the Goodwill SCWI Supportive Housing program experienced the joy of now having a place to call “home.”
Stephen came to live in one of our group homes after his parents separated. While in the group home, he learned important life skills including personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning to prepare him to live independently. Stephen beamed with happiness upon signing the rental agreement and receiving the keys to his own Goodwill apartment.
Your support helped Stephen achieve his highest level of independence.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) supports low-to-moderate income individuals. Goodwill partners with the IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue to offer free tax prep assistance saving participants close to a quarter of a million dollars in tax prep fees. Participants can use this savings to pay rent, medical bills, buy groceries and other essential needs. Each tax season, over 1000 returns are prepared by VITA volunteers who help participants get tax refunds.
Community Assistance Vouchers support hundreds of families and individuals to purchase needed items in our retail stores. Goodwill loads funds on the shopping cards which are distributed through health service agencies.
Thanks to your support, you’ve changed lives for the better.
