Discover how MERS Goodwill changes lives through their powerful work-focused programs, including career counseling and skills training.
MERS Goodwill’s mission is “Changing lives through the power of work.” MERS Goodwill provides a variety of programs and services to help support this mission. Some of the many programs and services offered are career counseling, skills training, education and literacy programs, employment services, and more.
Our organization also provides job opportunities through the Custodial and Business Contracts Division. Those who are hired through the MERS Goodwill Custodial and Business Contracts Division become well-trained and reliable workers. MERS Goodwill is then able to better serve local businesses with services like office cleaning, snow removal, paper processing, and more. The revenue from these services then goes back into more training and education programs, so that we can continue to provide reliable, quality contracted business services.
MERS Goodwill is a non-profit organization and funds a significant number of its programs through the generous donations of others. Whether it’s a monetary donation, auto donation, or clothing donation to one of our retail locations, be assured that your generous contributions are being utilized to fuel and enhance the community. Also, if you shop at any of our MERS Goodwill retail locations, the proceeds from your purchases also go towards our mission.
MERS Goodwill is also the grateful beneficiary of generous gifts from both the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Partnering with these organizations enables us to better serve our community.
Introducing Anna:
Anna Koeller: Redefining Yourself
Anna was a single mom with her children ages 3, 4, 6, and 13, facing severe financial hardship. Anna was able to receive food and cash benefits and was referred to MERS Goodwill. MERS Goodwill provides employment and training services to individuals receiving benefits.
MERS Goodwill referred Anna to Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services where she and her children received counseling. She was unable to fully participate in the Missouri Work Assistant (MWA) program for a year as childcare was the hardest barrier to overcome. Moreover, times got more tough as her home was foreclosed on but was referred to HUD for housing and subsequently moved to secure housing. However, childcare was still a barrier until a childcare facility expanded, and she was able to get her two youngest children enrolled.
Anna achieved her MWA requirements by obtaining community work experience at East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) by serving in the Customer Services Representative position, where she excelled and enjoyed her time there. Her evaluations were always good, and she was able to secure backup transportation during the school’s winter break, so the work continued.
A job opening for a Customer Services Representative became available at EMAA, where Anna applied and was hired on December 28, 2023. MWA continued to help her by purchasing work clothes. Anna continues to enjoy working at EMAA and now has a goal to be promoted to a supervisor’s or director’s position in the future.
Anna Koeller
The Missouri Work Assistance Program is Missouri’s employment and training program for Temporary Assistance recipients. The MWA program is funded through the Administration for Children and Families, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant.
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