Mission Services

The Mission of Goodwill is to create life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities or barriers to employment. The diverse population Goodwill serves includes people with physical and/or mental disabilities, at-risk youth, ex-offenders, veterans, and the homeless. Goodwill helps people prepare for and retain good jobs. The mission is accomplished by putting people to work either by assisting with job readiness training or creating employment within one or more of Goodwill’s entrepreneurial pursuits.

Work Adjustment Training (WAT)

WAT is designed to help people with disabilities adjust to the demands of employment.

This is achieved through active participation in work-related activities. This gives them a more tangible method of practicing activities and behaviors that are necessary when it comes to employment maintenance. Clients in this program earn a wage that is determined by their rate of productivity. Many participants are people who have never worked before or are returning to work after a period of unemployment (typically caused by some disabling condition or event). The schedule typically includes 25 hours per week of participation, spread across five days per week. The program is designed to be completed in three months.

Personal/Social Adjustment Training (PSAT)

PSAT is a class that is designed to address issues related to professional and personal/social existence. WAT participants most often participate in PSAT in conjunction with WAT. Consideration is provided to a multitude of issues that workers tend to face, whether in a work environment or in one’s personal life. PSAT is flexible enough to address issues that come up in WAT, but is structured to provide instruction on specific issues as well. The schedule typically includes 5 hours per week of participation, spread across five days per week. The program is designed to be completed in three months.

Work Opportunities Results in Keys to Success (WORKS)

WORKS is a program that uses TIBH contracts (through the state of Texas) to offer long-term work opportunities to people with disabilities.
Basically, Goodwill establishes a contract with a state agency to complete certain tasks. The currently used contract is primarily the custodial duties at TXDOT. This has been ongoing for years. In the past, Goodwill has also had contracts to do the grounds maintenance and even some vehicle maintenance with TXDOT. Such employment opportunities are common in competitive employment, but the expectations are so high that many of the clients in WORKS would be unable to maintain employment. In WORKS a degree of accommodation is allowed, based on the individual needs of the clients.

Goodwill Temporary Services (GTS)

Like WORKS, Goodwill Temporary Services (GTS) positions are obtained through contracts between Goodwill and Texas State agencies.
Clients work varying hours, depending on their individual needs and the needs of the contracting agency. Such positions are generally restricted to persons with disabilities. Being that these are temp positions, upon completion clients are offered the opportunity to seek employment with the assistance of the Employment Consultant at Goodwill. Sometimes clients go from one temp position to another, when another becomes available. In some cases, clients go from temporary to full-time status when they are hired by the agency. For example, a client recently went from getting 20 hours per week as a client to getting 40 hours a week plus the associated benefits when she was hired by OAG. Agencies have included OAG, DARS, DADS, HHSC, and DSHS.

Click here for GTS Positions

AbilityOne

Similar to GTS and WORKS, AbilityOne positions are established through contracts with agencies. However, these are established with federal agencies. Our most widely known and highest paid positions are at CCAD. However, Goodwill also has contracts to build pallets for the naval base. CCAD AbilityOne clients cover the mailroom, edit publications, and track the multitude of shredders and copiers at CCAD. The CCAD clients wages all exceed $10 per hour and they all get benefits as part of their position. Their health plan is very flexible.

WORK 2000

Work 2000 provides basic life skills training, job training, and placement services for the homeless. Enabling the homeless to obtain employment and enhance their self-sufficiency and acquisition of permanent housing. In addition, the WORK 2000 staff provides job coaching and referrals to enhance program participants’ ability to retain employment.