TD Ready Commitment and Goodwill: Breaking Down Barriers to Employment

Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes is pleased to announce that TD Bank Group (TD) has committed $1.5 million in funding over five years through the TD Ready Commitment for Work First. a unique experiential-work training program designed specifically for people who face barriers to labour market entry such as mental illness, literacy or skills deficits, or poverty; and who may face marginalization due to race, ability, gender identity or citizenship status.

Goodwill’s Work First initiative demonstrates how a real job and pay, a supportive work environment, hands-on training, and integrated wellness and life stabilization support can break the cycle of instability and poverty, and can propel people to the labour market and prosperity. TD Ready Commitment funding will enable the full implementation of the strategy with an emphasis on life and wellness coaching, psychological care, soft skills development and digital literacy.

“Nothing works like work to break down the wall between those on the margin of a community and those in it.” says Michelle Quintyn, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries. “With the support of TD, Goodwill is able to offer life stabilization, wellness and mental health supports to participants for as long as it takes to gain skills and work experience so they can move toward prosperity.”

Opportunities for jobs and training span large, medium and rural communities across Southwestern Ontario including London, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Stratford, Ingersoll, Goderich, Strathroy, St. Thomas, Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, and the GTA.

“TD is proud to partner with Goodwill Industries to help make the Work First program possible. Through the TD Ready Commitment, TD invests in programs and initiatives that support change and help create the conditions where equitable and inclusive communities become possible,” says Keri, Kowalski, District Vice President, TD Bank. “The Work First program will help ensure people have the tools and resources they need to succeed, and we are excited to see the positive impact this will have in London and beyond.”