Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Inc

By 2027, we are the partner of choice for community collaborations in our expertise across the Greater Rochester Region, and a trusted part of communities that connects a cross-section of diverse individuals to services, including those provided by Goodwill.

Simultaneously, we have built our community presence via retail growth within the Central New York & Mid-York regions, enabling us to connect people to much needed resources, while purposefully balancing revenue and reinvestment for a sustainable future. lter.

Core Values: As employees of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, we are dedicated to live Goodwill BLUE: 

Be Trustworthy: We act with integrity and keep our promises while doing our highest quality work. We commit to holding ourselves accountable to do what is right.

Live a Culture of Belonging: We value diversity, inclusion, equity, and access in all we do. We act with genuine care, listen to each other, and appreciate each person’s unique contributions while supporting all people.

Unleash Potential: We cultivate innovation, learning, and growth. We embrace possibilities, becoming our best selves to positively impact our community.

Embrace Collaboration: We are all stronger when we work together internally and externally. This is our collective responsibility.

For Areas of Impact, See Strategic Map.

Headquartered in Rochester, NY, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes along with The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) and 2-1-1/LIFE LINE have a very long and successful history. Our social enterprise model is comprised of over 700 individuals who use their passion and expertise to find innovative solutions to address the countless barriers and social challenges that impact the lives of more than 387,000 people whom we are proud to serve annually. We take an innovative approach to create job opportunities for people with barriers to independence while generating revenue to support our community programs and services.

Following the adoption of our new Strategic Plan, GFL is positioned to grow our community investments over the next 5 years, while making the following investments beginning in 2022:

• Good Neighbor Center Launch: Retail locations are the true community hubs where people of all backgrounds and identities receive culturally responsive navigation support and skill-building utilizing Goodwill LearnFree Programs. In Monroe County, centers will serve as community access points for the United Way Systems Integration My Wayfinder. We will launch our main hub adjacent to our S. Clinton Campus in Rochester, NY and two hubs in Syracuse, NY, where we will station a Community Resources Navigator. Centers will utilize trained volunteers as we develop processes and systems for effectiveness and additional community feedback prior to full scale roll-out.

• GFL has partnered with the Urban League of Rochester to replicate New York’s first Excel Center Demonstration Project, from Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, to address the dropout epidemic and enhance the earning potential of adults 21 years of age and older with an opportunity to earn a traditional high school diploma along with an industry credential for in-demand jobs in the community. The Excel Center offers a no-cost holistic approach to learning which includes rigorous academic coursework, flexible class times, transportation, and childcare. Additionally, life coaches are available to offer support, encouragement, and guidance throughout program completion.

In 2020, we were one of just 384 nonprofits nation-wide awarded a donation by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Our use of funding includes:

• Maintained 2020 Pandemic Crisis Support Staffing of 211/LIFE LINE for the Finger Lakes Region: As a result of a tripling of volume of calls from our region, Goodwill utilized crisis funds to add twenty full-time equivalent employees (tele counselors) and an Operations manager to ensure we could accommodate the information and referral as well as program specific registration for services or pandemic related relief not funded by those programs.
• 211/LIFE LINE Website Redesign: Our program has successfully completed 90% of the re-design and functionality enhancements to improve navigation and build in a language access and cultural competency badging. In addition, we implemented integrations with Google maps, a chat box for real-time support, and user feedback surveys. Lastly, we created, in collaboration with other community partners, a Youth Behavioral Health Directory resource tool for caregivers/parents seeking guidance with assessing their youth's level of crisis and pairing them with appropriate resources.
• ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) T4T Training: We were able to send three staff members to complete T4T Training allowing us to facilitate this vital on-going training when needed as well as offer it to the community at no cost. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was and continues to be a shortage of training courses available due to the in-person requirements of the model. This training represents industry standards for responding to and supporting those in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, which many find great benefit in personally and professionally.
• PIC Navigation Support & iCarol System Utilization: In February 2022, 211/LIFE LINE began functioning as a non-emergency services access point for the City of Rochester’s Person in Crisis (PIC) Team. GFL also provided access to our iCarol System to allow the City of Rochester PIC Team to utilize our database to access our resource directory and log client interactions. GFL had to upgrade existing forms to allow a customized build for the PIC Team to ensure desired outcomes for community good. GFL also provided additional staffing outside of funding received for these services as part of the above headcount.