November 2016
GOODWILL ANNOUNCES EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROGRAM FUNDED BY CITI
Neighborhood Trust Will Facilitate the Employer Solution for Goodwill NYNJ Staff
New York, NY –Goodwill® Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. announced Thursday a new financial capability and wellness program for its employees, with support from Citi Community Development and facilitated by Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners.
The new service was announced during a reception to celebrate the opening of Goodwill’s 14th store in New York City at 1114 First Avenue, New York, NY 10065.
Over the next year, 20 percent of the workforce will receive free financial coaching through in-person and virtual services. Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners will also redesign parts of Goodwill’s employee onboarding process to institutionalize financial empowerment as a core component of employer operations. Neighborhood Trust will track employees’ success, with their consent, by reduced debt, increased savings, stronger credit scores, and other indicators of strong financial health.
By building financial counseling directly into Goodwill NYNJ’s human resources package, retail employees – who typically work in entry level positions and 50% of whom make $35,000 or less annually – will be connected with financial empowerment tools that are a keystone toward securing a stronger financial future.
Goodwill NYNJ employees work across 43 stores and 70 programs. The new financial capability and wellness program will begin with 20 employees at the new Goodwill location on First Avenue.
“Our signature Trusted Advisor model is extremely effective in the workplace, where we combine financial counseling with products and services to help employers help their employees,” said Justine Zinkin, CEO, Neighborhood Trust. “We’re thrilled that support from Citi will enable us to work with Goodwill NYNJ to help us bring our model to the next level and replicate it across their network of stores.”
“We are delighted to work with Citi and Neighborhood Trust and to offer this new service to help enhance the financial health of our employees and to add value to our organization. We are committed to playing a vital role in the community and to improving the financial wellness of our employees in most need, who must make smart decisions every month to support their families,” said Katy Gaul-Stigge, President and CEO, Goodwill NYNJ.
“Citi is proud to support Neighborhood Trust and Goodwill Industries to expand access to affordable and appropriate financial services, as part of our commitment to building a more inclusive city,” said Eileen Auld, New York Tri State Director, CitiCommunity Development.
About Goodwill NYNJ
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and a member of the network of 164 agencies of Goodwill Industries International, each with a designated region. A social enterprise model, Goodwill NYNJ provides workforce development services, youth and community programs, and retail and business opportunities.
Our 43 retail stores support our mission through the sale of new and slightly used donated goods while providing employment for our core constituency. GoodTemps, our temporary staffing division, places 750 individuals in jobs weekly and serves both private companies and City and State agencies. Our welfare to work services and programs which engage youth in school and the surrounding community provide resources and supports designed to break the cycle of poverty for those facing significant barriers.
Since our beginnings in Brooklyn 101 years ago, our mission has been to provide opportunities for individuals to gain independence through the power of work. Each year, Goodwill NYNJ provides services and assistance to thousands of Greater New York area residents, helping them become work-ready so they can build better lives for themselves and their families.
Learn more about Goodwill NYNJ at www.goodwillnynj.org.
About Citi
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.
Additional information may be found at http://citicommunitydevelopment.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi
About Neighborhood Trust
Neighborhood Trust’s mission is to empower low-income individuals to become productive participants in the U.S. financial system and achieve their financial goals. For almost 20 years Neighborhood Trust has integrated financial counseling, products, and supports into settings and programs that low-income people trust. We don’t just counsel or educate – we help clients to roll up their sleeves and take action. In 2013 Neighborhood Trust was recognized by Mayor Bloomberg and the Center for Economic Opportunity as one of New York City’s most innovative and data-driven nonprofits in the fight against poverty.
Learn more about Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners at www.neighborhoodtrust.org.
Contact:
Karen Means
Executive Vice President, Internal and External Affairs, Development
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc.
Phone: (718) 777-6326
Email: kmeans@goodwillnynj.org
61st Street Goodwill store and donation center:
1114 First Avenue, New York, NY 10065
P: (212) 355-5206