REFERRAL-BASED PROGRAMS
Begin at Home Employee Support
Begin at Home is a support program for Goodwill Industries of West Michigan employees
At Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, we already know it takes more than pay, benefits, and positive work culture to allow people to bring their best selves to work. It also takes providing effective and comprehensive support for our employees’ well-being. Begin at Home is an employee program designed to provide the support we all need for simply making our lives work better. It is called “Begin at Home” because this program is an extension of our community mission, and although our services have always been available to our staff, we want to make sure that our staff members get the most benefit from what we do. Our mission should always begin at home, with you, those we value most.
The Begin at Home program supports three primary areas:
1. Improve employment skills
2. Improve life skills/overcome personal barriers (direct support or referrals)
3. Prepare for career advancement opportunities:
Here are three benefits of our Begin at Home program.
1. Professional Problem Solvers at Your Fingertips
Sometimes, life throws us a curveball, and it can feel overwhelming to handle it alone. Our Begin At Home program provides a safe space and starting point for you to talk through personal challenges, work-related stressors, or other barriers to navigating work and life successfully. With a dedicated Begin At Home coach, and additional 24/7 assistance through our full-service Employee Assistance Program provider Mutual of Omaha, you have easy access to a large team of professional problem solvers. Having a supportive coach by your side can make all the difference in helping you gain clarity, develop coping strategies, and find a path forward.
2. Financial Guidance
Let’s face it, financial issues can take a toll on our mental health. With Begin At Home and financial partners such as Rockefeller Global Family Office and Fifth Third Bank, Goodwill employees have access to valuable resources and guidance on financial literacy, purchase planning, budgeting, debt and bill management, and retirement savings. By addressing these concerns head-on, you can alleviate the stress associated with money challenges, enabling you to build the stability that allows you to focus on your work and personal growth.
3. Career Advancement
If you are ready to take the next step in your career, either through sharpening your current skills internally through coaching and training, or pursuing a college education or certification program, we are here for you. Even if that career step includes you moving outside Goodwill to pursue a specialized career such as health care or plumbing, or child care, we will support your development wherever it takes you. Our Begin at Home Career Coach can support you with training, educational resources, and career preparation including resume development, job interview preparation, and other job readiness activities.
Through the Begin at Home program, Goodwill is empowering its employees to prioritize self-care, reduce stress, and thrive both at work and in their personal lives. In 2023, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce voted us the “Employer of Choice.” We know that with this honor comes the responsibility to create a supportive network where employees can share experiences, seek advice, and find comfort in knowing they aren’t alone in conquering problems. Lowering internal stigma around asking for help is often the first step in helping ease that mental burden of external stress. A dedicated Goodwill success coach provides customized resource navigation and career support to employees seeking support.