Updates
News
Goodwill helps local businesses retain employees, with Life Navigation supports
October 5, 2022
Many local businesses struggle to retain staff. Often it’s not about the person’s qualifications, or the job fit. It’s about everything else in the employee’s life. Things like unreliable transportation, childcare, housing, medical concerns can all keep a great employee from maintaining long-term employment. Our solution is Life Navigation. Recently, Goodwill NNE began offering its Life Navigation services to local…
Success Stories
Evan crushes work as donation specialist; celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 4, 2022
Evan is one of Goodwill’s most beloved donation attendants. Since starting the job two years ago, local donors look forward to chatting him up when they drop off gently used items. Evan was diagnosed with autism when he was six. Now in his twenties, he brightens our Augusta store every time he comes in. He works a few days a…
Success Stories
Goodwill driver talks about 33 years on the road, working with his dad
September 12, 2022
As a kid, Scott Duguay’s dad would park a blue van in front of their house with “Goodwill” hand painted on the side. It was the 1970s and Gerry Duguay was the only driver for the Lewiston, Maine area. At that time, Goodwill had a regular street van used to help collect donations for the stores. Scott grew up. And…
Success Stories
Alexis sustained a life altering brain injury, now she helps students with disabilities find work
August 9, 2022
In March of 2016, Alexis was in a car accident that left her with a life-altering brain injury. While her friends were walking at their college graduation, Alexis was in a coma. She spent 77 days in the hospital, unable to walk. “The first thing I remember when I woke up was that I wanted to help people.” Alexis’ traumatic…
News
Goodwill invests $100,000 into local nonprofits to help more people gain personal stability
July 7, 2022
Goodwill is investing $100,000 in local nonprofits to expand its impact in the tristate area. This will speed up Goodwill’s 10-year goal to move 10,000 people into stability. Goodwill will issue gift cards to local food banks, shelters, and others for the people they serve. New nonprofit partners this year include The Hospitality House, In Her Presence, University of Vermont…
News
Goodwill’s new Clinical Director focuses on how technology, counseling support brain injury
June 14, 2022
Goodwill announces new NeuroRehabilitation Clinical Director Mackenna Murtagh, Psy.D, joined Goodwill NeuroRehab as Clinical Director starting July 1. Dr. Murtagh was Goodwill’s Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Resident, and is excited to lead Goodwill’s two brain injury clinics in Lewiston and Scarborough where staff help people get back to life after a brain injury such as a stroke or car accident. Murtagh will…
News
All furniture is $3 on Fridays this summer to support Goodwill’s sustainability work
June 9, 2022
Update: This sale is extended through Oct. 31, 2022. Yayyyyyy! All furniture will be $3 at Goodwill on Fridays starting June 10. The Furniture Friday deal will continue through September 30, during the nonprofit’s busiest furniture donation season. “Shoppers will get a great deal on nice furniture pieces, but there are other reasons for this deal — sustainability and employee…
Success Stories
Kara succeeds in Goodwill’s Youth Workforce program, celebrates promotion as store’s shift supervisor
May 24, 2022
In 2019, Kara was in high school, taking Driver’s Ed and saving for a car. Normal things for a teenager. But what wasn’t normal was that Kara and her family were evicted from their home with nowhere to go. This is how Kara found herself at Preble Street teen shelter. It was there she connected with Goodwill’s Youth Workforce programs….
News
Goodwill Manchester, NH store grand re-opening Saturday, May 14
May 11, 2022
MANCHESTER, NH — The grand re-opening of the Goodwill store on John E. Devine Drive kicks off with a ribbon cutting 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14. The renovated store has more merchandise, smoother checkout lanes, and a new Handpicked section where shoppers can quickly grab the best finds at great prices — things like designer jeans or a KitchenAid mixer….
Success Stories
Sierra was unemployed and in subsidized housing, now she is a homeowner and has a stable career
April 27, 2022
Sierra Taylor went from living in low-income housing and working odd jobs, to owning her own home and having a stable career that helps people — all in just a few years, with some help from Goodwill’s Workforce Team and Job Connection model. Back in 2017, Sierra and her husband and their two children moved into Bangor Housing, which provides affordable…
News
Goodwill unboxes a huge investment in sustainable materials this Earth Day
April 22, 2022
This Earth Day, Goodwill Northern New England is reducing waste by investing $1.5 million in new methods of storing and transporting clothing and household donations. For years, the nonprofit used big cardboard boxes and wooden pallets to move items, and large metal racks to store the boxes. Starting this week, Goodwill now will use much more sustainable materials that are…
News, Success Stories
Eric fled the Congo where he was a lawyer, now he works in a Goodwill home supporting adults with disabilities
March 24, 2022
When Eric Gikwerere arrived in the United States in 2018, he spoke almost no English. He left Congo and resettled in Maine with his family, and was worried he wouldn’t be able to find work because of his language barrier. A friend who worked at Goodwill suggested Eric look there for employment. “When I met Amy [a Residential Director], I…
Success Stories
Callista’s stroke left her paralyzed, now she’s getting her body back with help from Goodwill NeuroRehab
March 10, 2022
Callista had a stroke that left her paralyzed. She lost function in half of her body, and needed to use a wheelchair. Now she’s walking on her own and plans to dance at her upcoming wedding. She gets support from her Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist at Goodwill NeuroRehab. Goodwill is way more than just a store. We caught up…
Success Stories
Debra finds work after 17-year break, in which time she went blind
December 13, 2021
When Debra took time off to stay home with her kids, she certainly didn’t think that break would last 17 years. But it did, and in that time her eyesight got worse until she was legally blind. Earlier this year, she said she wanted to work again, so her Goodwill vocational rehabilitation coach and her Goodwill career adviser worked with…
Success Stories
Patrick lives in a Goodwill group home and proved he’s a true hero
November 23, 2021
Patrick lives in a Goodwill staffed group home in Southern Maine. He’s is a fun guy who loves the Patriots and Pink Floyd and riding bikes. This year he has come a long way in developing friendships and positive relationships with his housemates. He is friendly with staff and is always a good sport. This year Patrick also showed that…