February 3, 2022  Michele Harris continues her nearly 30-year career in the Goodwill network by being named the new President/CEO for Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (SCWI). Harris’ most recent role was as the Chief Mission and Workforce Advancement Officer, Workforce & Family Services at Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest located in Spokane, Washington. She also served as the President of Good Works, Inc, a nonprofit incubated by the Spokane Goodwill.

“I have a huge passion for Goodwill. Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin was known within the Goodwill International network as a strong organization. I am excited for the opportunity to come to Madison and continue leading Goodwill SCWI toward building more mission impact with a great team,” Harris said. “Experiencing the Goodwill mission in action and hearing the stories of lives changed is what drives me. My commitment to Goodwill runs strong and I promise my new neighbors my dedication and partnership in service of their success.”

Harris’ accomplishments at the Inland Northwest Goodwill included a 106% increase in mission growth revenue and an 80% increase in the number of persons served. She also secured $8 million in state and federal grants. Harris received her Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development at the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and her MBA at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.

Her professional affiliations in Spokane show her commitment to the community and helping others: Human Services Advisory Board for the City of Spokane, Spokane Veterans Leadership Sub-committee, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Champion Committee and others. She looks forward to making connections in the communities Goodwill SCWI serves.

 

 

Nov 8, 2021 — Vicki Holschuh, President and CEO of Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (SCWI) announced her retirement effective in early January 2022.

Holschuh joined Goodwill SCWI in 2015. Prior to coming to Madison, she served for 18 years at Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee) in a variety of positions including her final role as Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer.

During Holschuh’s tenure at Goodwill SCWI, the organization saw incredible growth with the addition of four new retail stores and donation centers. The core of Goodwill’s mission is building skills and changing lives which is represented in the additional workforce development programs in Goodwill’s retail stores and support services Holschuh introduced. These programs serve those needing a “hand up’’ in the communities we support.

“I am grateful and honored for the opportunity to serve Goodwill. This has been an amazing journey with a remarkable team and a committed Board and staff,” Holschuh said.

“Since 2015, Vicki has played a critical role in the growth and success of the organization. With her unwavering passion for Goodwill’s mission, she has led significant contributions to our mission programs during some of our most challenging times,” Mary Theilen, Goodwill SCWI Board Chair said.

“She worked tirelessly to support our stakeholders, employees and the community by rolling out programs including Goodwill Works and Goodpaths. I want to thank her for her six years of dedicated service,” Theilen added.

The Goodwill SCWI Board announced that Michele Harris, Chief Mission and Workforce Advancement Officer from Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest, Spokane, Washington will succeed Holschuh as President/CEO starting in January. Additional information about Harris will be released once she begins her new career in Madison.

A Goodwill truck containing over 5000 pounds of items donated for Afghan refugees is bound for the Sparta Armory today, Thursday, November 4. Donations from community members have been collected for the refugees at Goodwill SCWI retail locations since September.

“A huge thank you to the generous community members who brought donations to Goodwill for the Afghan refugees,” Vicki Holschuh, President/CEO of Goodwill SCWI said. “The community has been very supportive of the refugees and Goodwill is pleased to play a role to ensure these donations get to the families and individuals who most need them.”

Goodwill will continue to collect donations of new and gently used culturally appropriate warm clothing including sweaters, pants, winter jackets and coats, shoes, boots, sleepwear, underwear and socks for men and women in small and medium sizes.

Most needed items for men: shoes sizes 7-9 and pants waist size 30 and smaller

Most needed items for women: shoes in smaller sizes

Needed items for infants and children include all sizes of new and gently used warm clothing, socks, underwear, sleepwear, shoes and boots.

Most needed items for kids: toddler clothes 2T-5T and shoes for both genders.

Team Rubicon, the organization coordinating donations has also requested laundry detergent pods, shaving razors, Vaseline, baby power or oil, soap and bodywash which can be brought to Goodwill. Donors should tell the Goodwill donation attendant which items are for the refugees so they can be held for delivery.

Visit goodwillscwi.org/refsupport to find the updated list and additional information.

Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (SCWI) is providing an easy way for area residents to help Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy.

Goodwill SCWI Donation Centers are serving as collection points for NEW items as identified by Team Rubicon, the emergency organization coordinating donations for the refugees.

Visit goodwillscwi.org/refsupport to find the list of the most-needed items.

Gently used donated items will, as always, be gratefully accepted to support the programs of Goodwill SCWI. Used items will not be forwarded to Fort McCoy per Team Rubicon’s request.

Goodwill SCWI is pleased to serve as a collection point for items to support the Afghan families and individuals as they are welcomed into area communities.

Goodwill SCWI is celebrating Earth Day 2021 with the Goodwill SCWI’s Earth Day #50lb Challenge.

Due to the global pandemic, we couldn’t celebrate Earth Day’s milestone anniversary last year. So, this year we’re celebrating Earth Day AND our 50th anniversary in South Central Wisconsin with an event that will help keep the planet green.

We’re challenging individuals, groups, and organizations to donate 50lbs of clothing or other goods to promote global sustainability and help save the planet. Take a photo of your donation and tag @goodwillscwi on social media with the hashtag #50lbChallenge. You’ll have a chance to win one of two gift bags we’re giving away.

According to the EPA, the average Americans throw away about 81 pounds of clothing each year. Those clothes end up in landfills where they pollute the earth and the air. Donating to Goodwill helps keep the planet green by continuing the cycle of good. Through resale and responsible recycling, Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin keeps 16 million pounds of goods out of the local landfill each year. It can’t get much greener than that!

So, gather your 50lbs of goods and head over to your favorite Goodwill!

Spring cleaning is just around the corner and now is a good time to start clearing out your closet, basement, or attic of gently used clothing and household items that are ready for someone else to have a turn with. Through the resale of donated goods and responsible recycling, Goodwill SCWI keeps 16 million pounds out of the local landfills each year. Goodwill SCWI also partners with Dell to recycle computer equipment, working or not. 

 Our own David Johnson appeared on WKOW’s “Midday Madison” show to talk about how donating to Goodwill SCWI helps create the cycle of good and supports our local job training program. View the segment here and donate to support your local Goodwill SCWI today! 

 

Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin is celebrating 50 years of serving our neighbors right here in our community by helping people gain independence through the power of work.

 Since 1971, Goodwill SCWI has provided a hand up for anyone, throughout the 14-county region we serve, who wants to achieve independence through jobs, education, and skills training. 

 50 years of strengthening the community by helping staff members realize their potential, see and achieve their steps in the career pathways they set while providing support along the way. 

 50 years of service to the community by offering employment and training programs to assist those with obstacles to employment develop marketable skills and find meaningful employment.

 And during those 50 years, our 3 group homes have provided a safe, supportive way for hundreds of adults with mental illness regain their independence.

 But our impact in the community doesn’t stop there. Goodwill SCWI is also a green business, keeping 16 million of pounds of goods each year out of local landfills through responsible recycling.

 This is who we’ve been for 50 years. Goodwill SCWI is excited to continue our mission of providing services for people with obstacles to employment for another half century and beyond.

SPECIAL ONLINE EVENT: Get a jump on your Black Friday holiday shopping during Goodwill SCWI’s Facebook Live and Instagram Closet Sales!

Join us as we kick off these events with our Instagram Closet Sale on Monday, November 16th from 5 p.m. – 8.p.m. Shoppers can also take advantage of our Facebook Live Sale Wednesday, November 18th at 6 p.m.

During the Facebook Live event, viewers can bid on a variety of different items and take advantage of curbside pickup at our Verona Road store. It’s a safe and convenient way to check off all the items on your holiday shopping list this year from the comfort of your home.

Correctly answer Goodwill trivia questions for a chance to win a gift card!

It’s time for the annual Goodwill SCWI  Online Halloween Contest – the “Cost-Zoom” Contest!

Celebrate online with the Goodwill community. Let your creativity and expert Goodwill shopping help you win big. Halloween is that wonderfully fun and spooky time of year and we know things are going to look a little different. Bring some extra joy into your life as you get dressed up and have a fun and safe celebration this season.

Win a $100 or $50 Goodwill SCWI shopping spree! Entering is easy and this year we’ve expanded the contest for submissions of both Halloween costumes and Halloween decorations. To enter, simply post of photo of your spectacular Goodwill costume or perfectly decorated Halloween home on Goodwill SCWI’s Facebook page or tag @goodwillscwi on Instagram. The top two photos with the most likes win.

The contest start Friday, September 25, 2020 and ends at NOON on Monday, November 2, 2020. Entries must contain items purchased from Goodwill SCWI locations and you must be 18 years or older to enter. Goodwill SCWI staff are not eligible to enter.

Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin is your resource for all things Halloween. Love dressing up for Halloween, but can’t find exactly what your need for that perfect creepy costume? Are you planning a Zoom celebration with family and friends? We’ve got you covered! Browse DIY costume inspiration on our Pinterest page and complete your Halloween shopping list.

Remember, when you shop at Goodwill SCWI you’re getting more than a great deal, you’re making a difference in your community by supporting our mission. The dollars you spend in our retail stores help fund job training and employment services for individuals right here in our community!