Goodwill Executive Director Announces Retirement : News : The Ticker

July 23, 2015

Cecil McNally, leader of Goodwill Northern Michigan since 2003, has informed the board of directors of his intent to retire. No official date has been set. The board plans to begin an executive search for his replacement later this summer and anticipates a new director will be in place within the next 12 months. Following the hire, McNally plans to stay with the organization as senior advisor for an undetermined period of time to assist with the transition. During his tenure, McNally has expanded the number of retail operations in northern Michigan from three stores to nine. He also oversaw the construction of the new Goodwill Inn in Traverse City and established Patriot Place, a homeless veterans transitional living center, in Gaylord. He helped add Food Rescue and new food service and job training programs to Goodwill’s community outreach. Also under McNally's direction, the organization is building the Carson Square affordable housing development in Garfield Township. ...

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Goodwill Executive Director Announces Retirement : News : The Ticker

Goodwill Northern Michigan seeks Advancement Professional

Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan seeks a Director of Advancement to organize and implement a comprehensive philanthropic and marketing program for its charitable organization in the 10 county region.

Click here for job description.

Circulated through the Northern Michigan Fundraising Professionals group.

Contact Goodwill for more information.

Goodwill Opens Eighth Store : News : The Ticker

Goodwill Northern Michigan www.goodwillnmi.org will open a donation and
retail store this week in Charlevoix, its eighth location in the region. The store will be located just north of the Charlevoix Bridge at 402 Petoskey Avenue, formerly an IGA grocery store.

A grand opening will be held this Fri., Jan. 16, at 9am, following
months of renovation and remodeling work. Store hours will be Monday
through Saturday, 9am to 7pm and Sunday, 11am to 6pm.



Goodwill also has locations in Alpena, Gaylord, Acme, Traverse City, Cadillac and Petoskey.

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Goodwill Opens Eighth Store : News : The Ticker

Goodwill Doing Good Works

TC Ticker - 25 December 2014

by Ross Boissoneau

For Lauren Harmstein, every day is a gift. The single mother of two young children has survived job loss, homelessness, and divorce. This Christmas, she’s living in a stable home and working at a job she loves -- and she credits Goodwill for saving her and her family.

 It was just three years ago that things were falling apart for Harmstein. She was pregnant and staying at home to care for her young son when her husband lost his job. With no income, they fell behind on their bills and turned to the Goodwill Inn when all other doors were closed to them.

As the only shelter in the region that allows a family to stay together, the Inn kept the family close and provided hope. Harmstein’s daughter Loralei was born, and the Inn’s structured environment eased the transition for her son.

Aided by the Goodwill's case managers, Harmstein’s husband found a new job and the family found new, affordable housing. But just when things were looking up, Harmstein was dealt another blow when her husband left.

“When my husband left I found my way to Michigan Works,” says Harmstein, who also learned about Goodwill’s Hospitality Job Training Program. It’s a paid training experience where she eventually learned about food safety and the food service industry.
She graduated with a ServeSafe Certification and landed a job with Press On Juice, where she’s part of the crew producing fresh-squeezed juice blends.

“I’ve been there since October. Kris [Press On Juice owner Kris Rockwood] was looking for someone that had that certification.”
Rockwood says Harmstein is an inspiration to her. “She's unbelievable. Lauren was very open to learning and talking with me about the way the day-to-day business is run,” says Rockwood. “Using her training and experience, she was able to recommend changes that helped improve my business."

Harmstein says with support from Goodwill, she was able to pay off the debt attached to her divorce in just five months.

“My stepping stone was Goodwill. Working with the Goodwill Inn team helped me realize that I do have value. I just needed a little encouragement. I know I’m heading on the right path.”

Daughter Loralei is now a lively three-year-old, and next year begins school. That’s when Harmstein is looking to perhaps go back to school herself; she’s considering attending NMC this fall or next.

“My passion is healthy eating, teaching people how to eat healthy on a low budget,” she said. “To be healthy in mind, body and spirit starts with (good food).”

Harmstein is thinking positively these days, which she admits hasn’t always been the case. “I’m very optimistic. I was really down for many years. It took a while to figure out what I wanted to do.

“I thought very little of myself. Now I know I can grow and do better. Goodwill helped me set goals. It helped me get a home. It works.”

Paperworks Studio Reopens

by Lynn Geiger, TC Ticker

Just in time for the holiday season, Paperworks is back in business and has opened its first retail location, sharing space with Great Lakes Bath & Body (next to Brew) at 110 E. Front Street in downtown Traverse City.

The Utopia Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Paul Sutherland, president of Traverse City investment firm FIM Group, recently purchased Paperworks’ assets from former operator Goodwill Industries.
It was one year ago when Goodwill announced it was closing the Paperworks Studio – which produced popular handmade recycled greeting cards made by adults with disabilities – to refocus its energies into workforce development.


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Goodwill to host annual celebration

Published: Sunday, November 09, 2014 | Grand Traverse Insider

REGION – If you’ve ever wondered what becomes of the donations you leave at a Goodwill donation center, or where the money goes from shopping in one of its stores, an upcoming event will answer those questions.

Gather for GOOD, Goodwill Northern Michigan’s annual luncheon and celebration of its partners and program participants will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 at the Hagerty Center.

During the event hosted by Ron Jolly, attendees will hear success stories from each of the organization’s focus areas: Housing, Jobs and Food, applaud community leaders and volunteers that are making a big impact in the lives of those in need, and be inspired by guest speaker, John O’Leary.

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Goodwill Looks to "Fill The Freezer"

TC Business Magazine, e-newsletter, "The Ticker", 28 July 2014

Goodwill is turning to crowdfunding site Indiegogo to "Fill the Freezer" with healthy protein. The campaign aims to help local 4-H kids and put healthy local meat on the plates of people served by the Goodwill Inn, Addiction Treatment Services, Meals on Wheels and Food Rescue by raising funds to buy livestock at the Northwestern Michigan Fair 4-H Livestock auction on August 7. Every gift toward the $5,000 goal goes toward the purchase of an animal that will feed thousands. The cost to purchase and process a pig is about $600, approximately $1,500 for a steer. Permalink