United Way of the Midlands Awards $25,000 Karnett Trust Funding to Support Work Experience Program
Goodwill Omaha is pleased to announce it has received a renewed $25,000 grant from the Karnett Trust, powered by United Way of the Midlands (UWM), for its Work Experience program. This marks the second consecutive year of support and brings the Karnett Trust’s two-year investment in the program to $50,000.
Ellen C. Karnett entrusted the administration of her charitable legacy to UWM, directing that the funds support children in our community with intellectual disabilities. These funds are distributed in loving honor of her son, Richard. With renewed support from the Karnett Trust, Goodwill Omaha will continue providing paid, hands-on job training to youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce.
This funding was awarded thanks to a dedicated group of community volunteers who meticulously reviewed applications and highlighted the Work Experience program’s vital role in fostering a thriving community. Their commitment and insight underscore a collective effort through UWM to address pressing local needs, ensuring that this funding will directly contribute to meaningful, positive change.
The Work Experience program provides paid, hands-on training for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in real-world retail and warehouse settings. Participants build transferable skills in customer service, inventory management, custodial work, donation processing and teamwork. Program staff provide individualized coaching, workplace accommodations and soft-skills development to prepare participants for long-term employment. During the most recently completed program year, Work Experience served 125 individuals and delivered 44,201 education and training sessions.
Renewed Karnett Trust funding will help Goodwill Omaha continue this individualized training while expanding access beyond the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro core. Work Experience services are available in Blair, Nebraska and new services are scheduled to begin in Fremont, Nebraska, August 2026 and a second Council Bluffs training location is planned for spring 2027. These expansions are intended to reduce geographic barriers and better serve youth in rural and outlying communities.
The impact of Work Experience can be seen in participants such as James, who entered the program with no prior work history and little confidence in his abilities. Through Work Experience, he learned to operate a donation center, assist customers and work as part of a team. He later secured part-time employment at a local grocery store and said the program “helped me believe I could do this and make my own money.”
“We are grateful for the renewed support of the Ellen C. Karnett Trust and United Way of the Midlands,” said Tobi Mathouser, President and CEO of Goodwill Omaha. “This investment helps young people with disabilities gain real workplace experience, build confidence and move toward greater independence. As we expand into outlying communities, this partnership will help make those opportunities accessible to more youth across our region.”