Goodwill of Greater Detroit’s award-winning Flip the Script program opens in Oakland County
Grand opening event celebrates expansion at new location in Pontiac
DETROIT (Jan. 26, 2024) – Goodwill of Greater Detroit today announced the opening of its new Flip the Script location in Oakland County. Goodwill’s Flip the Script is a nationally recognized, award-winning program that reduces recidivism and provides personal, educational and professional development services for individuals who are justice-involved. The new location at 440 N. Telegraph Road broadens Flip the Script’s reach beyond Detroit, increasing its impact to benefit residents in Pontiac and other Oakland County communities.
Friends of Goodwill of Greater Detroit, community partners and elected officials, including Michigan Sen. Sue Shink and Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, gathered today with the Goodwill of Greater Detroit and Flip the Script teams to celebrate the grand opening.
“Goodwill of Greater Detroit has been a leader in making a difference in people’s lives for more than 100 years,” said Dan Varner, president and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Detroit. “Our Flip the Script program, one of the most effective services of its kind in the nation, provides second chances and, in support of our mission, builds pathways to independence through personal development and the power of work. We are incredibly grateful to the State of Michigan and other partners for the continued support of Flip the Script and similar services that generate measurably better lives and communities for all who call Michigan home.”
Over five-thousand justice-involved individuals, including two thousand who were high-risk, have benefited from Flip the Script services, including workforce development, educational support, cognitive behavior programming, financial coaching, resource navigation and mentoring. The program has a remarkable success rate, with 92 percent of participants avoiding incarceration, 84 percent finding employment and 75 percent completing the program.
“The reentry and alternative sentencing programs that Goodwill’s Flip the Script program is known for play a crucial role in reducing recidivism in the state of Michigan, empowering individuals with an opportunity to build a better life,” said Michigan Sen. Sue Shink. “This second chance program not only saves money for our state, it contributes to a more inclusive, equitable and safe community for all of our residents. We are pleased to be a part of this expansion celebration and look forward to seeing the successful outcomes that we have seen in Detroit.”
“We are excited that Goodwill of Greater Detroit is expanding its Flip the Script program with a new location in Pontiac,” said Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “Flip the Script has a successful track record in Detroit of helping transform the lives of individuals who have been incarcerated or have otherwise been involved with the justice system, and we know they will make a huge positive impact in Pontiac. The city looks forward to working with Goodwill’s Flip the Script as they expand services to positively transform lives in our community.”
Flip the Script was launched by Goodwill of Greater Detroit in 2003, and its programs have continued to evolve and grow over the years. In addition to its reentry programs, the organization offers alternative sentencing diversions and educational remediation programs to help individuals overcome daunting obstacles they may be facing and lead more productive and meaningful lives.
