Grantee submission by: Ann Gillerlane, Director of Program Development and Grants
How did the funding or non-monetary support you received from the Foundation impact your organization and/or the community?
Moses Taylor Foundation has had a significant impact on the capacity building of Goodwill Industries of Northeastern PA. The support strengthened our ability to deliver services that reflect a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. A recent grant enabled us to increase the wages of 75 direct support professional employees (one-third of Goodwill employees), decrease our open direct service professional positions by 89%, hire nine more direct service professional employees, and offer supports to an additional five individuals with disabilities, preventing service disruption and program closure.
Share a quote or anecdotal story from a client or employee of your organization that illustrates the impact of your work.
The wage increase made a significant difference to the lives of our direct service workers as illustrated by the below quotes:
“I was a struggling school student. The increase has helped me pay for my school supplies.”
“I was able to put my kids in more after school activities to help them.”
“I was able to move out of my parents’ house.”
What do you most want the community to know about your work and/or what excites you most about the future of your organization?
Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania is committed to prioritizing inclusivity and diversity, promoting equity, and expanding services to better serve our community. We’re looking at our traditional supports and restructuring them to help support more people to overcome their barriers and enhance their lives. Through the generous support of our donors, shoppers, and community partners, we can provide these essential services to better strengthen the lives of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania.