Information that's Good to Know
[Detroit, MI], [February 21, 2022] – Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities, and economic sustainability through personal and professional development, has received a grant from Bank of America to support the need for stability and growth for local businesses, their employees and the community.
Goodwill Detroit’s work is cemented in its founding belief in helping people, and their families move from poverty and dependence to prosperity and independence through our best in class workforce programs. Goodwill provides job training, supportive social services, employment placement, and retention services to thousands of metro Detroiters living with mental health challenges or developmental disabilities, returning citizens, and residents who have been chronically under or unemployed.
The $50,000 grant from Bank of America will be used towards Goodwill’s Surge Center, a program model that recognizes that employees who are struggling with issues in their personal lives may also struggle while at work. The Surge Center works directly with employees, confidentially, to remove barriers to employment and find the resources that they need in order to be able to keep their jobs and take care of their families. The Surge Center team partners with other organizations, businesses to help employer partners reduce turnover and build a strong workforce.
“Bank of America’s support of the SURGE Center will allow us to help more vulnerable front-line employees retain and succeed in their jobs when faced with challenges outside of work. We are grateful for the support and the impact that it will have on our community,” says Dan Varner, President & CEO of Goodwill Detroit. “We appreciate Bank of America’s generous award and continued support of the community.”
The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to Economic Mobility addressing basic needs, workforce development and community development.
“Life’s day-to-day challenges don’t stop when you are on the job,” said Matt Elliott, President, Bank of America Michigan. “We know that supporting all aspects of our own employees’ physical, emotional and financial wellness is critical to success in the workplace, and we applaud Goodwill Detroit’s efforts to provide these resources through the Surge Center.”
About Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit: Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is a nonprofit organization that provides personal and workforce development programs for residents of the 5-county metro Detroit region. The organization has a long and successful history with social entrepreneurship, and currently operates a Tier 1 automotive assembly and kitting business called Goodwill Integrated Solutions; Goodwill’s Green Works, a wholly-owned subsidiary engaged in industrial recycling; and its fabled thrift/resale stores. Its social enterprises provide training opportunities for vulnerable populations served by the organization and financial resources for the organization’s major programs, including workforce training and personal development programs for people who are justice-involved, unemployed or underemployed, and people living with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. In 2020, Goodwill Detroit served nearly 27,000 individuals. For more information about Goodwill Detroit, please visit www.goodwilldetroit.org.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
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Reporters may contact:
Tonie Stovall
Marketing & Special Projects Manager
P313-920-8936
tonie.stovall@goodwilldetroit.org