UPDATE
Statement from Keiko Nakamura, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario
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I am pleased to announce that Goodwill staff will receive their pay due for hours worked up to and including January 16, 2016.
Goodwill staff can expect to receive pay into their bank accounts by end of day today (January 22, 2016).
The time will vary depending on the individual’s financial institution.
Over the last few days, we were able to work with RBC and ADP to make this happen.
I regret the concern, anxiety and frustration the staff of Goodwill has experienced as a result Goodwill’s cash flow crisis resulting in the closing of all stores and operations.
In addition, records of employment have been processed and will be mailed out next week.
This will allow staff to begin the process to apply for employment insurance and seek out other assistance.
My overriding priority since the closure of our operations has been to ensure the payment of our staff for work done.
But the future of Goodwill is not assured.
I am seeking the necessary support and alliances to create a constructive path forward for the organization and the many communities it serves.
I believe that possibilities for transformation and renewal of the organization will be explored with individuals and groups who value the contribution Goodwill makes to the communities it serves - its employees, donors, those seeking employment in challenging circumstances and the many families who purchase from Goodwill stores.
As difficult as the current circumstances are, this crisis may present an opportunity for a transformation that allows Goodwill to successfully fulfill its mission in reinvented and empowering ways.
I offer my gratitude to the many individuals who have expressed their concern over this crisis, to those that are seeking ways to help and especially to those Goodwill staff members who have volunteered their time in helping to ensure that wages will be distributed.
In the meantime, if there are staff and clients of Goodwill facing challenges, please go to www.renewthegood.ca.
A volunteer group of former staff is currently working to fundraise $100,000 for urgent transitional support.
The website has the capacity to accept donations online.
The group says funds will be disbursed in priority order for food, rent and medication.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services have been very supportive in working with former staff to coordinate securing client records and facilitating referrals to services with other employment and developmental services providers.
Many people are still bringing goods to Goodwill locations.
The organization respectfully asks the public to stop bringing items to our stores and donation centres at this time.
Please consider donating your goods to a number of valuable registered, non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Habitat for Humanity, which all have Goodwill’s goal of helping those facing barriers or who are in need.
I would like to thank the Canadian Diabetes Association, through its Clothesline program, which is helping through the current situation by collecting donated items and sharing in the revenue it generates.
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
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Originial Story:
A Toronto company has made a $5,000 donation to Goodwill employees and is calling on other businesses to step up.
DUCA Credit Union offered the cash Thursday after being moved by the plight of some 430 Goodwill workers who abruptly lost their jobs last weekend.
"I think the whole region's heart goes out to the workers who are left out and not paid," said Richard Senechal, President and CEO of DUCA. "We're reaching out to help and we hope we're an encouragement to other businesses. I think we have to step up and make a difference."
Goodwill closed 16 stores, including two in Barrie, and 10 donations centres suddenly on Sunday with the CEO Keiko Nakamura citing a "cash flow crisis."
Workers were given no notice and in a message delivered through a communications company, the Nakamura said workers would not get paycheques they were supposed to receive today.
A website titled Renew The Good created by former Goodwill employees is also calling for help.
"Goodwill’s mandate is to help people overcome barriers to accessing training and work opportunities – which in many cases meant providing employment for people with physical and developmental disabilities. As a result of the sudden closure, many former staff and program participants are now in financial crisis. In some cases, both working members of a household were employed by Goodwill and are now in a situation with no income at all," reads a message on the webpage.
Renew The Good is asking for assistance in "providing basic needs for our most vulnerable" and is requesting donations of gift cards.
"With $100,000 we will provide our most vulnerable with emergency grocery gift cards, assistance with securing prescriptions (as benefits are now cut) and help with maintaining housing," the website said.
People can donate by e-mail or by donation in person at 1527 Victoria Park Avenue East in Toronto.
