A meaningful job can be the first step toward a brighter future. Through paid work experiences and personalized support, Goodwill’s Launchpad program helps people build skills, gain confidence, and work toward their goals. For James, it opened the door to a career and a more stable life.
What Is Goodwill’s Launchpad Program?
Finding a job can be challenging for people facing barriers to employment. Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin’s Launchpad program helps individuals gain the experience, skills, and support they need to move toward long-term, sustainable employment and financial stability.
Launchpad is a transitional jobs program designed for people navigating significant life changes or challenges, including formerly incarcerated individuals, single parents, refugees, people with disabilities, and those experiencing long-term unemployment.
Through paid work experience, professional development, and personalized guidance, participants have opportunities to build on their strengths and take meaningful steps toward their employment goals.
How Does Launchpad Work?
Launchpad provides participants with up to 3 months of support and hands-on work experience to help prepare them for future employment. The program focuses on three key areas:
- Paid, Hands-On work Experience: Participants gain practical experience in a workplace while earning income.
- Personalized Support: Participants receive guidance tailored to their individual circumstances, strengths, and employment goals.
- Job Readiness: Participants develop skills and prepare for the next steps in their careers.
Goodwill partners with many local organizations like Forward Service Corporation, which helps connect individuals to Launchpad and other employment support services.
Depending on the needs of each participant, Goodwill often begins working together by updating their resume, accessing their current job skills and providing updated job skills and training as needed. Launchpad also help participants by conducting job searches, assisting with job applications, preparing with mock interviews, and more.
By combining real-world experience with individualized guidance, Launchpad helps participants build a foundation for their next employment opportunity.
Who Can Benefit From Launchpad?
For someone facing barriers to employment, gaining experience in a supportive environment can be an important step forward. Participants have the opportunity to discover their strengths, develop new skills, and prepare for future career opportunities.
Launchpad also recognizes that employment is connected to other aspects of life. Greater financial stability and a consistent routine can help individuals work toward personal goals and build a stronger foundation for the future.
For James, Launchpad became an important part of that journey.
Meet James: From Launchpad Participant to Property Supervisor
For James, a meaningful job became a path toward stability, purpose, and a place to call home.
His journey with Launchpad began during a difficult chapter of his life, when he was experiencing homelessness and working toward stability. Through the program, James strengthened his computer and graphic design skills and gained hands-on experience working with Goodwill’s Marketing team.
These experiences helped James build on his strengths and take steps toward his employment goals. His journey ultimately led to a full-time position as a Property Supervisor with Goodwill.
Today, James has meaningful work, a daily routine, and a home of his own.
He even participated in Goodwill’s RISE Leadership Development Program, continuing to develop his professional skills and explore opportunities for growth.
His experience illustrates how employment opportunities and the right support can help someone move forward during a challenging time. What began as an opportunity to gain work experience became part of a larger journey toward independence and stability.
James’s story also highlights the importance of recognizing each person’s potential. When people have opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow, they can discover new possibilities for their careers and their lives.
Success looks different for everyone, but having the support to take that next step can make a meaningful difference.
Helping People Move Forward
Launchpad is one of the ways Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin works to help people in our community live, work, and thrive through employment, housing, and supportive services.
By providing paid work experience, personalized support, and job-readiness opportunities, the program helps participants work toward sustainable employment and greater financial stability.
James’s journey is a reminder that a job can be more than a place to work. It can be a starting point for personal growth, independence, and a brighter future.