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S P R I N G 2 0 2 5 / W O R K F O R M E 23 Goodwill's Maine efforts Goodwill Northern New England is dedicated to empowering indi- viduals by working alongside com- munity partners to provide access to crucial career resources and job opportunities. These initiatives are designed to help individuals gain the skills and support necessary to improve their overall quality of life. As Haley Hersey, the organi- zation's external communication specialist, explains, by focusing on this holistic approach, Goodwill helps individuals create a sustain- able path toward success, not just in the workplace but in all aspects of their lives. This commitment to fostering long-term growth and independence plays a central role in shaping the community Goodwill serves. "It's always been at the core of who we are at Goodwill. This started in the early 1900s in Boston with Rev. Edgar J. Helms. He created a charity drive in the poor suburbs of Boston to support people and gave them stuff but realized that did not create a last- ing change," Hersey explained, "So, instead of just giving people items, he created jobs for people along the way. Whether that was stations for repairing clothing, fixing furniture, or encourag- ing people to sell their goods, that is how the Goodwill model started and expanded. In north- ern New England, we implement that Goodwill mentality, so our work focuses on supporting anybody with and without bar- riers to employment, and that includes disability." Last year alone, Goodwill of Northern New England placed 522 people into jobs and provided career services to 1,695 individu- als with disabilities. Programs such as the Goodwill Work Readi- ness Bootcamp actively supports populations who face barriers to job entry. The bootcamp is a vocational rehabilitation program aimed at high school students with disabilities and provides students with the job skills and career counselors they will need to find a job after graduation. The service is free for students and has successfully served about 400 high schoolers in 70 schools throughout Maine. The nonprofit also leverages its community contacts to en- sure they are connected with the people who need services the most. By reaching out to Maine's Division for the Blind and Visu- ally Impaired and Coastal Coun- ties Workforce Inc., Goodwill actively strives to make mean- ingful employment obtainable for people of all backgrounds and circumstances. "We approach everything with the perspective that we're helping all people, with or with- out barriers. We look at people as a whole person," Hersey said, "Then we assess everything and help support them with achiev- ing their work and life goals." n dwmlaw.com 800.727.1941 Our greatest asset is our people. At Drummond Woodsum, we have created a firm culture that emphasizes devotion to serving our clients, collaboration with our colleagues, and commitment to our communities. We are one of the most respected law firms in New England, employing over 180 attorneys, consultants, and professional staff with offices in Maine, New Hampshire and Arizona. We recognize that our team is our strength, so we have intentionally created an environment where personal and professional growth are encouraged and fostered through mentorship and a genuine respect for work-life balance. We believe this is why we have earned high rankings in Best Places to Work in ME for eight consecutive years. Learn more about us and browse open positions at dwmlaw.com. W o r k f o r c e Goodwill of Northern New England offers a range of career opportunities. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F G O O D W I L L N N E