MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Since 1977, it has been the mission of Marion Goodwill to help local residents build lives that work. During that time, the agency has spread its wings to serve people in a five-county region that includes Marion, Crawford, Delaware, Morrow, and Union counties.
Kathy Wink, vice president of marketing for Marion Goodwill, said Marion is home base for the agency with the corporate headquarters, education and training center, distribution center, virtual store, one retail store/training center, and the agency’s outlet store located there.
“In the past three years, we have opened another retail training center in Bucyrus, Ohio, and an outlet store in Marion,” Wink said. “We recently purchased a building and some land in Marion County that we will develop over the next several years. When we open new locations – mission is always top of mind. We immerse ourselves in the community to find out needs, how we can help, and who we can partner with.”
In addition to Marion and Bucyrus, Goodwill owns and operates retail stores in Delaware, Galion, Lewis Center, Sunbury, Powell, Marysville, Mount Gilead, and Westerville.
Wink noted that Goodwill has several programs that are only offered in Marion County. She said the housing program helps “low-income families lease low-cost houses or apartments to achieve stability.”
“We own 23 apartments/houses in Marion County, four of which are accessible apartments,” Wink noted.
The business services program “subcontracts work from local businesses to use in training individuals for skills.”
Marion County is also home to Goodwill’s youth homelessness/pregnancy program, which serves youth ages 14 to 24.
Wink said Marion Goodwill strives to be very active in the communities they serve. She noted that Goodwill participates in many local events in Marion County and its employees are active in supporting other agencies and organizations in the community.
“We participate in the Third Thursday events in downtown Marion,” Wink said. “We attend and participate in job fairs throughout the community. We partner with several schools through our youth programs. Some attend classes at our education and training center and others participate in a work-study program at our retail training center.
“We also partner with several non-profit organizations in the community,” Wink added. “We host corporate donation drives and our executive staff members participate on local boards, committees, and service groups. We are very thankful to the Marion companies that are job sites for our vocational rehabilitation services program.”
Wink said the agency celebrates and highlights its mission annually during Goodwill Week, which is held during the first full week of May. The agency hosts a virtual fundraiser that week with all proceeds being used to directly support Goodwill’s mission services programs. She said Goodwill sponsors events that align with its mission.
Marion Goodwill has enjoyed a history of strong leadership. Former president/CEO Bob Jordan served with Goodwill for 32 years before retiring in July 2021.
Michelle Roberts succeeded Jordan as president/CEO and brought with her a wealth of knowledge and skills gained from working in the non-profit management industry. She served as senior vice president of human resources at Marion Goodwill for 13 years prior to being installed as president/CEO in July 2021.
For information about Marion Goodwill, go to its website mariongoodwill.org. Keep up with agency events on its Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts.