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This page has frequently asked questions related to our organizational mission and this Web site. If you have questions about any of the following please click the underlined text to visit that FAQ page:
Click on the question to scroll down to the answer:
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1. When I open your Web site, why is your Web site larger than the window on my screen?
If you’re on a personal computer (PC) and not a Macintosh, it does this because this site is set up at 1024 x 624 pixels consistent with most computer screens now being sold. To fix this, follow these steps on a PC:
- With all windows minimized or closed, right click on your desktop.
- Choose "Properties" from the menu that appears.
- Once the "Display Properties" window appears, click on the "Settings" tab. It should be the last tab available to select.
- From there, you can adjust your screen resolution using the slider
bar. - Click "OK" or "Apply" to save the changes.
- If a window appears asking you if you would like to keep your settings or restore the default settings, click "Yes" or "OK" to continue.
2. What is the relationship between Goodwill and Easter Seals?
Goodwill has been a strong contributor to the development of Minnesota’s workforce since 1919, as an affiliate of Goodwill Industries International. In 1984, Goodwill in Minnesota also became an affiliate of Easter Seals Disability Services, expanding the organization’s program and service mix. We offer job training, placement and related services to people with disabilities or other barriers to independence and employment. Goodwill Industries International and Easter Seals Disability Services have separate affiliate offices in most states. The two national parent organizations are not affiliated with each other.
3. What services do you offer?
We offer career assessment services, work adjustment training, job search and placement help, job coaching and paid-work experience. In addition, we offer English Language Learning, math and life skills classes. Click here for more information about our services. Our skills training programs offer hands-on training in careers that have the potential for higher income, career advancement and benefits, such as health insurance. Current skills training programs include the automotive, banking, bank reconciliation, call center, construction and retail industries.
4. Who benefits from your help?
From 22 locations in Minnesota, our 630 employees provide services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages -- services that help people prepare for work, get jobs and advance in their careers. Last year, we helped 787 people find new jobs and another 800 individuals maintain employment or advance in their careers. Learn more about who we serve.
5. Do Goodwill stores support your mission?
Our stores support our mission in two important ways. First, proceeds from your gently-used household donations and purchases help fund our employment and training programs. Second, many of the people we prepare for employment get their first work experience at Goodwill stores. They process your clothing and other donations for sale in our stores. Find out how donations and store purchases help people.
6. Where can I donate my clothing and household goods?
Goodwill has 15 stores in Minnesota where you can donate clothing, furniture, books, games, toys and other quality used items. Click here to find a donation site near you. Learn which items we can and cannot accept at our donation sites.
7. How can I refer someone to Goodwill/Easter Seals?
It’s easy to learn more about our job skills training programs. We offer free information sessions, downloadable referral forms or you can contact us at: solson@goodwilleasterseals.org or call (651) 379-5800 and ask to make a referral. If you need to make a referral for a specific program, click here. To learn more about referrals or complete a referral form, click here.
8. How do I hire one of your trained participants?
We have a variety of support programs to improve employee retention when you hire one of our participants. Please call (651) 379-5800 and ask about hiring or e-mail us at lsterner@goodwilleasterseals.org. We have a variety of support programs to improve employee retention when you hire our participants. Click here to learn more.
9. How do I know my donation to Goodwill/Easter Seals will make a difference?
We have been helping Minnesotans with disabilities and other disadvantages prepare for work, get work and advance in their careers since 1919. Last year we provided services to more than 26,300 Minnesotans. Our organization exceeds the standards of the Charities Review Council (this link opens in a new window). Our programs have been continuously recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. And, year after year, we demonstrate that more than 85 percent of all funds raised go directly to strengthening our programs and services. Click here to learn more about our qualifications to provide services.
10. Does Goodwill/Easter Seals offer volunteer opportunities?
Yes! Volunteers play key roles in our success. As a tutor, you can teach English, math or reading to a job skills participant or help prepare them for job interviews. You can also volunteer in our stores and donation centers; repair wheelchairs and other assistive products for our equipment loan program; help plan or work at one of our special events or donate your time and talent countless other ways. For more information, call (651) 379-5937. Click here for a list of current volunteer opportunities.
11. How can I learn more about Goodwill/Easter Seals?
We would welcome the opportunity to show you how we make a difference in your community. Call us at (651) 379-5800 to arrange a What’s Working tour. Learn more about the tour here. If you have questions related to specific programs, donating or giving, please contact us.
12. Do you have more than one Web site? I found another site that has your name at the top.
Yes. We have two Web sites. We launched this, our main Web site, in April 2007 to communicate with all of our supporters, partners and friends. We provide the bulk of our content and e-mail communications on this site.
Our old site at http://mnges.easterseals.com/ is provided as part of our membership with Easter Seals Disability Services. This site focuses exclusively on on educating the Minnesota Easter Seals supporters about our services for adults. Communications on our Easter Seals affiliate Web site, http://mnges.easterseals.com/, is limited and may link back to this site. You will also find all of this information on our main site at http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/.
Because of our dual affiliation, if you sign up for e-mail communications at http://mnges.easterseals.com/, you will receive a general mission-related e-mail from us and additional information from the national Easter Seals organization.
If your primary interest is employment services for people with barriers to work, hiring our participants, workforce development, making referrals or shopping and donating to our stores, we recommend that you register on this site and customize the content you prefer to receive on the "My profile" page. If your primary interest is more Easter Seals related, sign up on our Easter Seals site (link opens a new window on our other Web site.
13. Why does your name have both Goodwill and Easter Seals in it? I thought they were two separate organizations?
It’s true; they are separate nonprofit organizations. Each organization has a national office and state or regional offices. The state offices are affiliates of the national organization. Affiliates in both national organizations offer varied services based on the needs in the community. In Minnesota, Goodwill Industries and Easter Seals merged in 1984 because of the overlap in employment services for persons with disabilities.
The core mission of Easter Seals is to provide services that improve life and independence for people of all ages who have a disability. Of the core services that Easter Seals offers, we offer employment training and support services for youth age 14 and older and adults with disabilities. Our goal is to help people with disabilities transition into adulthood with dignity and independence. We also offer an Easter Seals rehabilitative program for agricultural workers, called AgrAbility, and free assistive living medical equipment loans to people who cannot afford to rent while waiting for insurance approval. Click here to visit our Easter Seals affiliate Web site.
The core mission of Goodwill is to provide employment services to help anyone who is struggling with independence and employment due to cultural, physical, environmental and emotional barriers. This includes disabilities. Click here to learn more about who we serve. Each affiliate does this in different ways. Some offer sheltered workshops, while others partner with business leaders to integrate persons with barriers into the workforce and to develop skills training in industries that have a demand for workers and potential for livable wages. We fall under the latter category. Click here to visit the Goodwill Industries International Web site.
14. Do you offer a camp for children with disabilities?
No. Most, but not all, Easter Seals affiliates offer services for children. If you have a child with a disability, we’d like to refer you to the Wisconsin Easter Seals, North Dakota Easter Seals or Iowa Easter Seals for camp options.
15. Why don’t you offer services to children?
In Minnesota another well-respected organization offers rehabilitative and other services for children and adults with disabilities. It isn’t efficient to duplicate what another organization is already doing well. Instead, we choose to pick up where other nonprofits leave off. We offer services to help people with barriers and disabilities transition from childhood into the adult world of independence and work. We serve teenagers and adults with disabilities and other barriers to help them achieve their career, independence and educational goals.
16. On the registration and log in forms on your site, I noticed that it says "Remember me." What does this mean?
This links to our privacy page to inform you that by checking this box, a cookie will be downloaded to your computer enabling automatic sign-on to our Web site whenever you return. If you visit often, it can be helpful. We do not use this information in any way, except to improve our online communications as outlined in our Privacy Policies.
17. Do you need and/or accept financial gifts?
We certainly do. Many of our programs have waiting lists due to limited funding. If you'd like to support us, you can make a financial contribution online or learn more about giving options on this site.
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