Welcome to your journey of personal and professional transformation! If you’re reading this, you’re likely seeking more than just a job. You’re looking for a holistic approach to career development, financial stability, and personal growth. You’re in the right place. Goodwill Central Coast is here to guide and support you every step of the way. In this blog post, we’ll explore the comprehensive services offered by Goodwill Central Coast, designed to empower you and transform your life beyond just employment.
Understanding Goodwill Central Coast
Goodwill Central Coast, a beacon of hope and opportunity, has been serving the communities of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties for many years. Our mission is multifaceted and impactful – we aim to help individuals with employment needs become successful, provide financial coaching for long-term stability, and offer job readiness training, all while preserving the Earth’s resources through innovative enterprises. We believe in the transformative power of these comprehensive services and their ability to change lives for the better.
Anyssa’s Story
Our success stories are a testament to our commitment. Consider Anyssa, a dedicated team member who has experienced significant personal growth within the company. Through her role at Goodwill, she has gained valuable experience and the ability to provide for her daughters without struggle. With a favorable work schedule, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm, she can spend more quality time with her daughters on weekends.
Anyssa’s story also highlights the lesser-known aspects of Goodwill. Beyond our retail side, we offer job placement assistance and have a career center for resume building. There are various job opportunities available at Goodwill, from donation processing to administrative roles. Anyssa encourages everyone to take Goodwill home with them, symbolizing the transformative impact Goodwill can have on individuals and families. These are just a few examples of the countless lives we’ve helped transform.
About Mission Services
Under the banner of “Mission Services”, Goodwill Central Coast offers a wide array of programs and services designed to empower individuals beyond just employment. From comprehensive job assistance to financial coaching and specialized training programs, we’re committed to fostering personal and professional growth in our community.
Employment Services
At Goodwill Central Coast, we understand that finding a job is more than just submitting applications—it’s about finding a role that aligns with your skills, interests, and career goals. That’s why we offer a range of comprehensive employment services designed to support you at every stage of your job search.
Career Center Services – Our Career Centers are your one-stop-shop for all your job search needs. We offer a variety of complimentary services, including resume services, job search assistance, job placement, mock interviews, and assistance with online applications. We also provide free computer usage for job search activities. But that’s not all—each of our Career Centers has a dedicated Career Center Coordinator available to assist you. They’re there to provide personalized support and guidance, helping you navigate your job search with confidence.
Work Experience – At Goodwill, we believe that hands-on experience is one of the best ways to learn and grow. That’s why we offer a variety of work experience programs through various community partners in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo County. These programs provide opportunities for community service, volunteer work, and paid work experience, giving you the chance to build your skills and experience in a real-world setting.
Job Placement – Our ultimate goal is to help you find the job you’re looking for. Our specialists are here to assist with job search, placement, and retention, ensuring you find a role that aligns with your skills and career goals. We’re committed to supporting you through every program and service we offer, helping you transition smoothly into your new role and succeed in your career.
Opportunity Platform
The Opportunity Platform at Goodwill Central Coast is more than just a financial coaching service. It’s a comprehensive program designed to help you achieve financial security and independence. Our team of Goodwill Resource Specialists provides one-on-one financial coaching to help you achieve your personal money goals. We commit the time and support to help each member enrolled in our Opportunity Platform to pursue their long-term financial dreams, gain job security, increase income, and become debt-free in a structured and compassionate way.
In addition to financial coaching, the Opportunity Platform also offers free tax preparation services. In collaboration with the United Way, the IRS, and many other non-profit agencies, we provide a free tax filing service to our employees and the community. You can prepare your taxes in our Career Centers and other locations in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties using these services:
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) – This program offers free tax help to people who generally make $57,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.
MyFreeTaxes.com – This program provides free federal and state tax preparation and filing assistance, both online and in person, to individuals and families with household incomes of $64,000 or less in 2016.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – The amount of EITC you can claim varies by income, family size, and your filing status. On average, qualifying individuals received $2,401 through this credit. If you made less than $52,427 this year, you may qualify for EITC. Even if you have no tax to pay, you can file a return to claim your credit.
To see if you qualify for free tax preparation or EITC, to find a location near you, and to set an appointment, call 2-1-1.
Our Resource Specialists can also personally connect you with other trustworthy organizations and services in our Active Referral Network to help you along the journey. Membership is free and counseling is confidential.
Other Mission Services
In addition to our Employment Services and Opportunity Platform, Goodwill Central Coast provides a range of other Mission Services designed to support individuals in their career journey.
Department of Rehabilitation Employment Services – These services assist DOR consumers in making informed decisions about employment opportunities within the community. They are individualized to help a person choose employment outcomes and career development opportunities based on their preferences, strengths, abilities, and needs.
Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Short-Term Supports – This program provides clients in subsidized employment with direct on-the-job support to help them learn the necessary skills, standards, and processes required by their employer.
Department of Rehabilitation Situational Assessments (DOR) – These services provide information to a DOR consumer about their strengths and barriers to employment and help them choose an employment goal based on their preferences, strengths, abilities, and needs.
Department of Rehabilitation Student and Adult Work Experience (DOR) – This program helps DOR consumers identify their skills, interests, and career opportunities. It provides clients the opportunity to engage in real-world work to build their soft skills and prepare for unsubsidized employment.
Digital Literacy – This program provides a specialized curriculum to assist participants with navigating our increasingly technological world. It offers participants in Monterey and Santa Cruz County free-of-charge classes to educate them on various commonplace programs and applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Job Search Workshop – GCC provides CalWORKs participants with job search workshop activities to prepare them for competitive employment and aid them in preparing to search for suitable work.
KickStart – Goodwill Central Coast provides paid work experience programs to Monterey County Workforce Development Board-referred individuals working at a Goodwill store where they build the soft skills and gain work experience needed to succeed in any job or occupation.
Monterey County Community Action Partnership – This partnership provides employment and income and asset building services to low-income individuals and families living in the North County region of Monterey County. Services include resume/cover letter development, mock interviews, job application process, networking, and employment retention services.
Monterey County Office of Education Work Experience – Goodwill Central Coast provides paid work experience programs to Monterey County Office of Education students working at a Goodwill store or collaborating agency where they build the soft skills needed to succeed in any job or occupation.
Monterey Expanded Subsidized Employment Program – GCC provides expanded subsidized employment, training, supervision, intense case management, job performance evaluations, and subsidized job coordination for eligible CalWORKs Welfare-To-Work customers.
San Andreas Regional Center Supported Employment Program – This program provides specialized assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities in preparing for choosing, obtaining, and maintaining paid employment in the community.
Subsidized Transitional Employment Program (STEP) – STEP services aid eligible CalWORKs participants in gaining work experience and learning new employment skills during short-term, paid employment as a 16-week placement.
Temporary Employment to Meet Participation (TEMP) – TEMP is a unique program offered by Goodwill Central Coast that aids eligible CalWORKs participants in meeting their federally required work hours. This is achieved by providing a one-month paid, temporary employment with Goodwill Central Coast. This serves as a gap activity and provides participants with direct job supervision as well as valuable work experience.
WIOA Job Readiness Training – In collaboration with the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB), Goodwill Central Coast offers Job Readiness Training for eligible WIOA-enrolled participants. This training can be accessed both online and in-person, providing flexibility for participants.
Workability – Workability is a program that provides paid work experience to Department of Rehabilitation consumers. Participants work at Goodwill where they build the soft skills and work experience needed to succeed in any job or occupation.
These services are part of Goodwill Central Coast’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to individuals seeking employment and career development opportunities. They are designed to meet a variety of needs and to help participants gain valuable skills and experience.
How to Get Started with Goodwill Central Coast
Getting started is easy. Simply visit one of our Career Centers in Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Luis Obispo County. Our friendly Career Center Coordinators are ready to assist you. You can also visit our website to learn more about our services and programs. Remember, our goal is to help you find the job you’re looking for. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Conclusion
Embarking on a journey towards personal and professional growth can seem overwhelming, but remember, you’re not alone. Goodwill Central Coast is here to guide and support you every step of the way. Our comprehensive services, from employment assistance to financial coaching and job readiness training, are designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to succeed. Whether you’re a first-time job seeker, looking to transition into a new career, or seeking financial stability, we’re here to help.
Remember, every journey begins with a single step. Take that step today with Goodwill Central Coast. Together, we can transform your life and create a brighter future. Thank you for choosing Goodwill Central Coast. We look forward to being a part of your transformation journey.