By Dan Varner, President and CEO, Goodwill of Greater Detroit
Today, many nonprofit organizations face an uncertain future.
An increase in public demand for services coupled with economic instability has created funding and resource challenges. Charities are asked to do more with less, while delivering meaningful impact.
The pressures to bridge the gap in services for our communities are on the rise.
In the U.S. alone, there are more than 1.9 million registered nonprofit organizations contributing over $1.5 trillion to the economy. Millions of individuals rely on these philanthropic organizations to provide critical services ranging from healthcare and education to food assistance, housing, workforce development and more.
So today, on National Nonprofit Day, we celebrate the relentless efforts of all 501(c)(3) organizations. Because without the power of community, we cannot continue to operate and serve those in serious need.
The Nonprofit Need in Metro Detroit
As a nonprofit organization ourselves, Goodwill of Greater Detroit is keenly aware of the need in our own backyard, and the way organizations continue to exemplify grit and ingenuity to serve at-risk demographics throughout metro Detroit.
According to recent U.S. Census data, 37.5% of Detroit residents are living in poverty. To put that into perspective, one out of every three people in Detroit struggle to make ends meet. More than half a million (506,376) working-age adults (age 18-64) in Michigan do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. More than 230,000 of those individuals are not in the labor force, 35,732 are unemployed and 124,331 are on public assistance.
These statistics underscore the need to offer enhanced access to personal and professional workforce development opportunities and the wrap-around services – such as transportation, daycare, housing support, career coaching and life-skills development – that sustain independence.
Four Ways to Drive Change for At-Risk Metro Detroiters
Four key needs are shaping the services required to help metro Detroiters access opportunity and achieve greater economic stability:
- Building Life Skills and Independence. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities need – and deserve – access to services that build independence, strengthen workplace readiness and develop essential skills, such as financial literacy and socialization.
- Creating Career Pathways. Our region, much like others across the country, is experiencing a skilled trades labor shortage. We can fill this need by removing employment barriers and offering access to careers via hands-on training and credentials that open doors to in-demand fields like welding, construction and customer service.
- Connecting People to Opportunity. This is about more than just landing a job. It is about offering the skills and resources needed to build a career, connecting job seekers to employers and providing workforce services and tools for long-term success.
- Supporting Reentry and Second Chances. Justice-involved individuals need comprehensive support, including access to education, behavioral health resources, financial coaching and job placement services to keep them from reoffending.
Together, these point to a larger truth: change requires a network of organizations committed to helping Detroiters access the support, skills and opportunities they deserve.
Shining a Light on Detroit Area Nonprofits
Fortunately, metro Detroit is home to many incredible organizations addressing critical needs and driving powerful outcomes throughout our community, including our own organization.
Goodwill of Greater Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been serving metro Detroit for more than a century, providing free education, training and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, justice-involvement and other barriers.
These are individuals who, without charitable support, would likely not have a chance to gain the skills required to earn a living through gainful employment.
To learn more, visit www.goodwilldetroit.org.
Goodwill of Greater Detroit also operates three nonprofit businesses, all designed to provide revenue for our mission and to provide training and work opportunities for those we serve.
- Goodwill’s Green Works recycles metals, oils, machinery, appliances and EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam to minimize environmental harm and give industrial waste a second life. Green Works also provides job training and employment opportunities for individuals with barriers. To learn more, visit goodwillsgreenworks.org.
- Goodwill Integrated Solutions combines a strong social mission serving individuals with barriers with high-performance industrial solutions, including assembly, kitting, inspection, packaging, distribution, rework and reverse logistics to manufacturing partners like General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. To learn more, visit goodwillintegratedsolutions.org.
- Goodwill Thrift Stores and Donation Centers make shopping and donating with purpose possible. When customers shop or donate gently used clothing they not only keep items out of landfills, but ninety-two cents of every dollar spent in our stores goes toward our mission, helping vulnerable Detroiters achieve prosperity through the power of work. To learn more, visit goodwilldetroit.org/the-good-we-do/donated-goods-retail.
Our work is enhanced by many partners, including other nonprofits, that are doing incredible work in our community. We have had the pleasure of collaborating with each of these, and many other, outstanding organizations.
- Forgotten Harvest is dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity in metro Detroit. They deliver 144,000 pounds of surplus food per day to local charities five days a week, providing families in need with fresh and nutritious food free of charge. Learn more at forgottenharvest.org.
- Focus Hope is a trusted community anchor built on the idea that opportunity can change everything. They provide an intergenerational and holistic mix of services to help disrupt the effects of racism, poverty and other forms of social injustice. Learn more at focushope.edu.
- Humble Design furnishes homes for families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and into stable housing. They create warm, welcoming environments that empower families to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Learn more at humbledesign.org.
- Go Team Dogs brings elite therapy dogs to provide comfort in a crisis at hospitals, airports, nursing homes and anywhere people could use love from a four-legged friend. Learn more at https://goteamdogs.org.
- Crossroads of Michigan provides emergency help, basic needs and advocacy with a focus on human dignity and personal connection. They provide an array of services, including food assistance, state ID and birth certificate retrieval assistance, counseling, advocacy and a safe place to be heard. Learn more at crossroadsofmichigan.org.
