For many people, finding a job is only part of the journey. The right support, encouragement, and opportunities can make all the difference in building a successful and fulfilling career.
Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin’s Supported Employment program helps individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment find meaningful work while providing the ongoing support they need to succeed. Through personalized services, job coaching, and partnerships with local employers, participants gain more than employment—they gain confidence, independence, and a greater sense of belonging.
What Is Supported Employment?
Supported Employment is a program designed to help individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment secure and maintain jobs in their communities. Participants receive long-term, individualized support to help them succeed in the workplace.
Best of all, these services are provided at no cost to participants or employers. Goodwill’s employment specialists work alongside both job seekers and businesses to help create successful, long-term employment matches.
Goodwill’s case managers and employment specialists work closely with participants to understand their strengths, interests, and career goals. From there, they help identify employment opportunities that align with each individual’s abilities and aspirations.
Support doesn’t end once a job is secured. Participants receive ongoing guidance and assistance from Goodwill job coaches to help them navigate workplace challenges, develop new skills, and build long-term success.
How the Program Works
Supported Employment is built around personalized planning, hands-on support, and strong community partnerships.
Skills Assessment & Job Matching
Participants complete a comprehensive skills assessment to identify strengths and align them with meaningful employment opportunities. Once matched, the participant becomes a member of the employer’s team, earning minimum wage or higher.
Worksite Accompaniment
Goodwill staff provide on-the-job support by working alongside participants in the workplace. This ensures individuals receive real-time coaching and encouragement as they learn and grow in their roles. Flexibility is built into the program, with participants working anywhere from a few hours up to full-time schedules depending on their needs.
Supplemental Training & Ongoing Support
Goodwill provides additional training, supervision, and follow-up support as needed—at no cost to the employer. This ongoing assistance helps ensure long-term success for both the employee and the business.
More Than a Paycheck
A job is about more than income. For many Supported Employment participants, work also means:
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Greater independence
- Opportunities to build relationships
- New skills and professional growth
- A stronger sense of purpose and belonging
Meaningful employment allows individuals to contribute their talents, achieve personal goals, and participate more fully in their communities.
As one participant shared:
“Without the assistance of a vocational agency like Goodwill, I would not be able to work in the community. Staff encourages me to be independent and ask for help when I can’t figure things out.”
Supporting Local Employers
Supported Employment is not only life-changing for job seekers—it is also a valuable resource for local businesses.
Goodwill partners with more than 100 employers across South Central Wisconsin to help build inclusive workplaces. Employment specialists work alongside employers to provide guidance, training support, and resources that help create positive workplace experiences.
Employers benefit from:
- Reduced turnover and training costs
- Access to dependable, enthusiastic team members
- On-site support from Goodwill staff
- A stronger, more inclusive workplace culture
It’s truly a win-win: businesses grow stronger while individuals gain meaningful opportunity. Interested in becoming a partner employer? Contact us today.
How Supported Employment Supports Goodwill’s Mission
Supported Employment is a key part of Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin’s mission to help people live, work, and thrive in their communities.
By removing barriers to employment and providing individualized, ongoing support, Goodwill helps participants build brighter futures while strengthening local workplaces and communities.
Every success story reflects the power of opportunity—and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to work, contribute, and thrive.