In Omaha, work alone isn’t always enough to escape poverty

Our metro ranks among the top 10 in the nation for working individuals who still live in poverty—people who work full-time, year-round, but still can’t earn enough to move forward.

That’s where Goodwill Omaha comes in. We offer free workforce development programs and job placement services that help people in our community build skills, earn credentials, and step into better-paying work.

For Jyaer, Goodwill Omaha was a turning point. After leaving school and spending much of his time on the street, he came to us looking for what he called a “lifeline.” Through our programs, he found structure, support, and a clear next step. Today, he’s earning credentials and working toward stable employment—something he once believed was out of reach.

Stories like these are happening every day at Goodwill.

For more than 90 years, Goodwill Omaha has been a lifeline in our community, helping people overcome barriers to employment and build brighter futures. Every day, individuals come to us seeking opportunity, stability, and hope—and with your support, they find exactly that.

Our workforce development programs are fueled by two things: community support and the revenue from our retail stores. Your gift directly impacts people right here in the Omaha metro who are working to transform their lives through training, coaching, and meaningful employment.

Here’s how your matched gift creates opportunity.

Your gift funds scholarships that remove barriers to employment—covering job training, education, certifcations, and the wraparound support people need to achieve stability and  independence.  Right now, a dedicated Goodwill Omaha supporter is matching every dollar, up to $25,000, doubling your impact and expanding access to life-changing workforce programs in our community.

Goodwill Omaha reinvests millions annually from retail sales into workforce development programs and offers them FREE to the community.

But demand is growing faster than our capacity to serve.

Last year we provided over 100,000 services helping nearly three thousand people through our programs yet our ability to enroll more individuals in adult education or high-demand programs like CNA and forklift certification is limited to our current funding. The outcomes are proven. Scholarships lead to credentials earned, jobs secured, and wages increased. Community support determines how many people can move forward—and how quickly.

Your investment doesn’t just sustain programs, it will help us double our impact and grow our programs. It opens doors, clears waiting lists, and accelerates economic mobility for families across our metro. Give today—and make opportunity happen now.