Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa is dedicated to promoting employment opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Through our training and job placement programs, we help our clients and their families live more independently while allowing them to make positive contributions to their communities. It is important to remember that Goodwill clients don't choose their specific situations. Our mission of empowering individuals and families with barriers to independence through training, education and employment gives clients the opportunity change their lives for the better. It is important to keep in mind that we only open the doors to better opportunity. With courage and determination, our clients consistently pass through those doors to success. Below is a brief overview of the programs that make that happen:

Supported Employment Program
The Supported Employment Program offers job development, placement and follow-up services for clients who wish to work in the community. It is a program that basically helps clients find and keep a suitable job. In this program clients are also taught job seeking skills such as interviewing and resume writing. Once a new job is found, the client receives on-the-job support from a Goodwill job coach.

Work Adjustment Program
The Work Adjustment Program serves clients in a “on campus” work environment. In this program, clients are evaluated on their work skills and work attitudes. One goal of the Work Adjustment Program is to help individuals understand the meaning and value of work so that they may develop personal characteristics that enable them to realize their potential. The other primary goal is to allow the individual to move on to a more independent work environment.

Work Development Program
The Work Development Program takes place in what we traditionally call our “sheltered” work environment. This program is primarily geared towards people with disabilities, as it offers on-site work stations where clients can work at their own pace and ability. In this program clients receive ongoing training and counseling to help them achieve independence and reach performance goals.

Work Experience Program
Our Work Experience Program offers assessment and work habit training to individuals who are vocationally disadvantaged.  A person who is vocationally disadvantaged is one who, in the absence of intervention and assistance, has limited access to education, employment, housing, socialization, health care, or the political process. Vocationally  disadvantaged individuals include dislocated workers, recovering substance abusers, homeless individuals, ex-offenders, welfare recipients, chronically unemployed, school drop-outs, or at-risk youth.

Day Services
Day Services provides qualified clients with a structured day designed to develop, maintain, increase or maximize independence in areas of self-care, physical and emotional growth, socialization, communication, education and work skills. Participation in Day Services allow for reintroduction into the community, the opportunity to meet and interact with peers, and the chance to work through personal difficulties.

Case Management
Case Management is a service provided to individuals with a disability who are eligible for Medicaid. Case management is an individually focused process through which clients are assisted in identifying, securing, and sustaining resources necessary to live as independently as possible.