Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, the City of Toledo, and Mr. Snow Removal and Lawncare launched an intergenerational initiative to reduce neighborhood blight and prevent youth violence. Seniors and residents with disabilities in Junction, Englewood, and LaGrange/North End receive free lawn care, while youth ages 14–24 gain paid job training and life skills through the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE). The participants also are receiving job coaching and career development support through Goodwill, and will receive training in Rewire CBT through MONSE. Together, we’re building safer, stronger communities—one lawn at a time.
November 1, 2025 is Good Turn Day – Make a Donation, Earn a Patch Help Goodwill Transform Lives Through Donations. Goodwill is partnering with the Boy and Girl Scouts for the scouts to do a ‘Good Turn’ for the community by collecting used clothing, books, housewares, and other items to be donated to Goodwill. We just request that your Scout bring 3 small grocery size bags of donations to any NW Ohio Goodwill location. To recognize doing a good turn in these neighborhood service projects, scouts earn a patch. The items collected are sold in Goodwill’s retail stores to support its mission of improving the lives of people with barriers to employment through job training and job placement opportunities.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Goodwill organizations offer a range of support services to individuals with disabilities, including occupational skills training, job readiness assistance, soft skills development and rehabilitation programs to aid in physical recovery.
Goodwill’s Community Employment Services Co-Managers, Cason Welly and Yusuf Gardner, facilitated a refresher training for the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) team to reinforce best practices and ensure staff are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to deliver the highest quality services. Their commitment to continuous professional development is strengthening the team and enhancing service delivery.
Joseph came to Goodwill from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Joseph is originally from Michigan and had work history, but he also went through some hard times and ended up serving time in prison. Joseph used that time wisely and took advantage of programs that taught him valuable lessons. When he moved to Toledo he needed to find employment. Joseph faced some health setbacks when he first came to Goodwill, but he didn’t let that stop him, and now he has the job he always wanted at Advance Healthcare Center. Congratulations Joseph!
The Goodwill Ind. of NW Ohio Foundation adds funding for specific programs for individuals throughout NW Ohio. The main programs that the Foundation helps fund are:
Youth and Young Adult for ages 14-24
Individuals that are aging out of foster care
The Benefits Bridge Program
Goodwill’s Reentry Program
To read more about what these programs are and how very important they are to NW Ohio, follow this link to the Blade’s article: https://bit.ly/3XOHb6R
To see how you can donate monetarily to The Foundation, please visit this page on our website; https://bit.ly/44eEzmx
It feels good to give back. Whether it’s supporting a neighbor in need or donating to a local non-profit, there are many ways you can help others and spread kindness this holiday season and Giving Tuesday is the perfect day to take action!
This year, Giving Tuesday is on December 2nd, and Goodwill invites you to participate and celebrate generosity. Take a look at these easy ways you can help support Goodwill this Giving Tuesday:
Make Goodwill your holiday shopping destination
Goodwill is the place to shop for unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your list! From trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories to home décor, kitchenware, board games, books, and toys, you can find it all at Northwest Ohio Goodwill stores, and for much less than traditional retailers.
Overview of the Newest Goodwill Store 10027 Fremont Pike Perrysburg, OH 43551
Most importantly, every time you shop at Goodwill, you help fund the many different job training programs and employment services we offer for individuals facing barriers to employment, including:
Youth & Young Adult Program
Resume and interview help
Job coaching and placement
Reentry Programs
Soft skills training
And much, much more!
Holiday shopping is easy at any of our convenient at Northwest Ohio Goodwill stores, or you can shop Goodwill online anytime at www.shopgoodwill.com
Donate unneeded or unwanted items to Goodwill
You may already know that Goodwill is a great place to drop off donated goods, but do you know what Goodwill does with your donations?
Donations = Job Training & Placement
When you donate to Goodwill, your items are sorted and prepared for sale in our 15 Northwest Ohio retail stores, where they’ll be given a new life with a new owner! The funds raised from the sale of your donations help fund Goodwill’s vital programs and services. Clear out your closets and donate to Goodwill this giving season.
Support Goodwill with a financial gift
If you’re looking to give financially on Giving Tuesday, Goodwill Industries of NW Ohio, Inc. makes it easy and secure to donate online and make a tax-deductible gift. Even a small amount can make a huge difference in the lives of people in your community. Goodwill’s programs and services are needed to help people get back on their feet and find meaningful community employment. With your generous donation support, Goodwill NW Ohio is able to continue our mission and continue to meet the needs of people in the NW Ohio region!
When you give to Goodwill, you make the season bright for so many people in your community! Your donation and shopping support powers the Goodwill mission to provide job training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other barriers and challenges to finding jobs. Every year, Goodwill helps thousands of local people find employment, all thanks to you!
In August, Goodwill proudly participated in the OFat’s AutoSpa Backpack and Back to School Event, where our dedicated Mission Services Team Members, Melody and Jess, provided valuable outreach and support. Collaborating with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, essential school supplies, backpacks and more were provided to students, Goodwill offered support services to each participating parent. This event not only highlights our collaborative efforts with local business and organizations but also showcases the impact we can achieve together by helping to empower students and families in Northwest Ohio.
Goodwill and Cardinal Stritch High School teamed up to offer students the opportunity to earn an associate degree at Lourdes University. Students attend classes at Lourdes each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Goodwill’s Good Rides Program provides transportation to and from school for the students.
This initiative not only highlights the importance of education but also emphasizes community engagement and partnerships that uplift our youth. Goodwill is particularly proud to be a part of the wonderful program, which ensures they have reliable transportation to and from school. By breaking down barriers to education, Goodwill reaffirms its commitment to fostering opportunities that lead to meaningful employment and personal growth.
Lagarius comes to Goodwill through the Youth and Young Adult Program (YYA). Lagarius is a high school junior and was extremely interested in a welding career. Goodwill helped connect him to a condensed welding workshop in which he was able to take an accelerated course and get firsthand knowledge about the field and what to expect going further. He has completed the course and is working with program staff to advance. Goodwill cannot wait to see Lagarius fulfill his dream of becoming a welder!
Starting a new job can be daunting, and dishwashing was not necessarily Jazmyne’s first pick. However, at Frisch’s Big Boy, she saw it as more than just cleaning dishes. She discovered it is a vital first step, ensuring a smooth operation and happy customers. The real benefit? The chance to learn and grow within the Frisch’s Big Boy family. Though nervous on her first day, Jazmyne’s positive attitude and quick learning made her a natural. We are excited to see where her journey takes her at Frisch’s Big Boy!
