Goodwill Keystone Area provides employment services to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. They accept referrals and funding from various sources, including, but not limited to, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, County Mental Health offices, Medicaid Waivers/Supports Coordination Units, the Social Security Administration and school districts throughout the region. Fees are set by contract with the funding agencies. Services may be provided at a Goodwill office, at a job site or in the community. Frequency of service hours is determined by the funding source and the individual.

Employment Preparation Services: help you explore your job and career choices, develop a career plan, apply for jobs, develop a resume, prepare for interviews, explore transportation options, and seek access to assistive technology. Job search services can help: search the local job market, contact employers for potential jobs, and track your job search. Job placement services can: help you identify opportunities that meet your job skills and goals, and educate potential employers about accommodating any special needs. Follow-along & job retention can help with: on-the-job coaching and support, ongoing job and skills training, follow-up support, advice on advancement or promotion.

Ticket to Work: was established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to give people with disabilities an opportunity to go back to work. Goodwill’s Ticket to Work program serves all individuals with disabilities who desire to get back to work and want to become independent from Social Security benefits. To qualify, individuals must: have the desire to ultimately be free from the constraints of Social Security (they screen for candidates who want to return to full-time work), be between the ages of 18-64, and currently be receiving SSI or SSDI. Contact: (717) 525-6183 or tickettowork@yourgoodwill.org.

Assessment Services: provided for individuals. Through information gathered during situational assessments, job shadowing and other community-based activities in local employment settings, they can help individuals develop a customized employment plan. Contact: (800) 432-4483 or jtrutt@yourgoodwill.org. Goodwill partners with LANta to provide physical and cognitive mobility assessments to residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties to assess transportation options. For more information about this service contact LANta directly at (888) 253.8333.

Personal Work Adjustment Training: a service used to define work skills and help someone gain the skills needed to successfully enter the competitive workforce, this program generally lasts 4-6 months. They also offer a variety of training opportunities that allow someone to participate in paid work experience while they learn/refine their knowledge of the soft skills that will allow them to be successful in the workplace. Project SEARCH facilitates the transition of individuals with disabilities from school to work. Lasting for a duration of nine to 12 months, Project SEARCH encompasses a series of internships within various host businesses, in addition to comprehensive classroom training in essential employability skills and independent living. In Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lehigh Counties Project SEARCH is offered for youth and young adults. In Allentown and Reading Project SEARCH is offered for youth only. Contact: (800) 432-4483 or jschley@yourgoodwill.org.

For beneficiaries in any stage of their employment journey, benefits planning and counseling services can help an individual: who receives Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income learn how working could impact their benefits; learn how work incentives may be used to lessen the impact to their cash and health insurance benefits; ask questions and receive easy-to-understand answers; make an informed choice on whether employment is a financial gain for them; and reach their goal of financial independence. These services are funded by a Provider Agreement with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid Waiver funding (code W1740) and local contracts with the Office of Mental Health. Contact: (267) 580-9860 or abond@yourgoodwill.org.

They work with students aged 14-21 years of age in developing realistic career goals. In their last two years of high school, they connect them with local businesses and adult community resources. To maximize a successful job match, students may participate in community job exploration such as paid work assessments and job shadowing. Parents/guardians and teachers may request Goodwill to attend IEP meetings to assist in preparation for employment or the development of an employment plan upon graduation. In Berks and Dauphin Counties (subject to change), they also offer a summer program to help youth refine and retain their work skills. They use classroom activity and paid work experience to help youth accomplish their goals and provide them with meaningful and productive summer activities. Contact: (717) 232-1831, ext. 2015 or dpich@yourgoodwill.org.

Intro to Logistics: a course that provides the background of the movement of goods, or supply chain, that impacts everyone worldwide. This online course covers logistics in 15 self-study modules. A key feature includes virtual office hours for students to ask questions to a Logistics Trainer, and also to receive feedback on their understanding of the many facets of logistics. Contact: cgarr@yourgoodwill.org.

Women of Wealth: a program that helps women pursuing financial security, with a special focus on supporting women of color. They ensure all women can participate by offering adaptable learning experiences, including in-person and virtual sessions, both group and one-on-one, along with comprehensive follow-up services. They provide education in relation to core financial skills: earning, spending, saving, investing, debt management, and asset protection. They also provide advanced opportunities: beyond basics, generative AI, and tech tools. Contact: (610) 858-5137 or tgilbert@yourgoodwill.org.

Contact:
(717) 232.1831
https://www.yourgoodwill.org/
2151 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17110
3001 St. Lawrence Ave., Reading, PA 19606
1641 Old Philadelphia Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602