Goodwill Industries of Tulsa

Goodwill Industries of Tulsa has provided services to those in need since 1927, and the number served continues to grow. In 2022 thousands of individuals used Goodwill Industries of Tulsa's employment programs, job training and placement services, and financial resilience programs to better their lives. Goodwill Industries of Tulsa's operations had a $46.1 million impact on the regional economy in 2022. The primary programs operated by Goodwill Industries of Tulsa are described in detail below.in 2022 Goodwill Industries of Tulsa embarked on the first year of its three-year strategic plan, designed to position the organization for long-term growth. We brought on new staff, expanded existing community partnerships and formed new ones, fine-tuned our operations, refined programs, and adopted new board practices. These meaningful changes will make it possible for Goodwill Industries of Tulsa to serve the community in new and better ways. Individuals who use Goodwill Industries of Tulsa's services bring hard work and ambition to the table, and we strive to reward their efforts with quality services and assistance. Our programs include the following:employment programs: the work opportunities for people with disabilities or other employment barriers referenced in Goodwill Industries of Tulsa's mission statement relate to our employment programs. These programs encompass a wide variety of positions, including the following:- jobs related to collecting, processing and selling goods donated by the public in our donated goods program.- jobs performed by supported workers with disabilities and a job coach, in small groups at local hospitals (providing paper shredding and light custodial services) and at specific Goodwill donation sites.- jobs related to packaging, collating, and assembly work for local companies, completed by Goodwill employees with disabilities in Goodwill's center-based contracts business.goodwill Industries of Tulsa employed more than 750 individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers in 2022. These individuals earned more than $12 million in wages and benefits during the year.goodwill tulsaworks career academy (twca): training provided by twca is designed to lead to credentials and certifications that prepare graduates to fill in-demand jobs in the community, in fields that provide career pathways.in 2022 twca offered career training in information technology, hospitality, private security, and forklift operation, in addition to ged preparation classes. More than 400 individuals received services through twca in 2022 earning more than 1,000 credentials and certificates. All classes are available in person; many classes also are available virtually. Each twca participant is assigned a career navigator to assist with issues that affect their ability to attend or complete training, provide job placement assistance, and follow up after employment. The average starting wage for tulsaworks graduates placed into employment in the community was $14.97 per hour.goodwill job connection: job connection offers free, in-person job search assistance, providing computer access, reliable internet, and one-on-one help from trained staff. 420 job seekers took advantage of this service in 2022. Staff members help individuals recognize their talents and translate their experience onto a resume and into interviews. In addition, job connection hosts hiring events and career fairs to connect job seekers with local and remote employers that are actively hiring; it also maintains an online job board. The job board saw more than 5,800 visitors in 2022.training programs for individuals with disabilities: Goodwill Industries of Tulsa operates several training programs designed to serve individuals with disabilities, including the following:- school-to-work transition services for high school juniors and seniors. The program curriculum provides students with disabilities the skills they need to enter the workforce. The program has been expanded to address individuals on the autism spectrum. (note: this program was on hiatus for the 2022 school year due to staffing shortages and is expected to re-launch in 2023. )- employment & retention, and supported employment. Both programs are designed to place individuals with disabilities into competitive jobs in the community by working with employers to develop potential jobs for program participants. Twelve individuals were served in these programs in 2022.financial resilience programs:- volunteer income tax assistance (vita) serves low- and moderate-income taxpayers by providing free federal and state tax return preparation. In 2022 Goodwill Industries of Tulsa vita volunteers helped file 3,270 tax returns, resulting in more than $5.5 million returning to the local economy. - in 2022 Goodwill Industries of Tulsa served as the non-profit partner for the city of Tulsa for the Tulsa financial empowerment center. This program, funded with public and private dollars, strives to provide professional long-term financial counseling to tulsans at no cost to them. Financial counselors partner with clients individually to work on achieving financial goals. In 2022 this program provided 1,115 counseling sessions to 425 clients.- bank on Tulsa is designed to connect people with safe and affordable bank accounts. Program goals include (1) increasing the number of area financial institutions that offer low-fee, fully functional, safe accounts and (2) encouraging unbanked and under-banked customers to use them. Goodwill Industries of Tulsa works with ten financial institutions that offer bank on certified accounts. This program is supported by private foundation funds and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa.