Update from Dan — April 29, 2020
Hello everyone,
I am glad to have a chance to check in with you again. It has been difficult for the Goodwill team to be separated in space and time by the virus. I want you to know that senior staff are thinking about all of you as we make plans for our organization.
The State of Michigan has moved into the next phase of the pandemic. Last Friday, Governor Whitmer announced an extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through May 15, and at the same time, began the slow, careful process of reopening some business and recreational activities. We are now able to reopen our donation doors. And we expect that our stores will be able to reopen sometime in late May or early June.
We have been planning for this moment. We are working on getting our donation doors open in the next week. Later in the month, when we hope to be able to reopen the stores, we plan to open them in stages: a group of stores will reopen first, followed by another group, and so on until all of our stores are back in business.
This gradual reopening will allow us to put new safety measures in place at each location so that we can take care of our team members, shoppers and donors. For example, we are installing plexiglass barriers at all registers to protect cashiers and customers, and dressing rooms will be closed. We will train every team member on the new normal so that we can all keep safe, and be comfortable with the new procedures.
Right now, today, we can’t tell you exactly when each furloughed team member will return to work. But your managers will be in touch with you directly as soon as we know when each location will reopen. We are very excited to have everyone back together again—properly socially distanced, of course. Our mission services desperately need the support of our stores. It will be a great day for Goodwill when we can safely reopen our stores, ecommerce and transportation operations.
Robert and I spend part of our time each week talking to our colleagues at other Goodwills around Michigan and North America. Almost every other Goodwill has closed or reduced mission services during the outbreak. We are among just 1% of Goodwills who have continued all mission programs without any reductions. In fact, we have increased what we are doing because the need is so great.
Goodwill Northern Michigan is on the front lines of this crisis, providing a lifeline to people who simply don’t have the resources to survive without support. Whatever role you play in our organization, you are a crucial part of the work we do for our most vulnerable neighbors. Thank you.
I have seen some pretty amazing things in the past month. Dedicated employees and volunteers are working long hours to provide people in need with safe places to stay and healthy food to eat. A well-known chef has been volunteering in the kitchen at the Inn while his restaurant is closed due to Covid-19. People are dropping off handmade facemasks at the donation door, pinned with notes of encouragement. Nonprofits all across Northern Michigan have been stepping up to fill in gaps and help one another out. It has been a humbling experience to see our communities rising to the challenge of this crisis.
The community knows how important Goodwill is and they are supporting us. The Urgent Needs fund provided $30,000. It looks like we will be approved for a PPP loan through the federal government. We sent out a mailing asking the community to contribute to our programs, and we have already received over $200,000 in donations.
We hope that you are personally feeling supported through the crisis, too. I know it can be overwhelming — all of the changes and additional responsibilities, the paperwork and red tape, the support you are providing for friends and loved ones. Please reach out to your manager if we can help. We are here for you. If you don’t know how to get in touch with someone, you can always call me at 231-995-7710 or email danb@goodwillnmi.org.
If you need healthcare, we hope you have heard about Munson Healthcare Virtual Visits. All of our employees, including team members on furlough, are eligible to access expert providers via phone or computer. No matter where you are in Northern Michigan, you can get the same high-quality, safe and extremely convenient care that you and your family need – right from your own home. Call your Munson Healthcare provider to request an appointment. Or if you don't have a provider, just call 231-935-5886 or email FindADoctor@mhc.net.
May is going to be another busy month full of change. I look forward to checking back in with you as often as I can to keep you up to date on what I know, from where I sit. And most of all, I look forward to seeing you all in person soon. Thanks for all you are doing for Goodwill.