March 29, 2024

Goodwill Career Connection Center now open in Newton

Newton Mayor Mike Hansen has seen his city go through a lot of things, both good and bad, in the last decade but he was more than happy to share in some positive news recently.

Goodwill of Central Iowa had an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday in Newton to open up its second Career Connection Center in its 22 county area. The first center is located inside of the Southridge Mall in Des Moines.

“We are so appreciative of the center here in the city of Newton. It’s a win-win for not only employees, but for employers,” Hansen said.

The center is located inside of Newton’s DMACC Campus, and it is aiming to help the community in a number of different ways.

“We will serve everybody we can that has any barriers to employment or is looking to advance their career — (people) that are looking to the next level, that need help setting up a resume or work on interviewing skills,” said Miranda Kulis, the center’s coordinator.

In addition, Kulis plans on reaching out to local businesses to be able to pitch them on hiring candidates that have been serviced through the center. It will offer classes on computer basics, application strategies, creating a LinkedIn account and others.

All services are free of charge.

Goodwill of Central Iowa President Marlyn McKeen said his organization’s strong working relationship with DMACC made this possible and that Newton was an ideal location to open up the second center.

“We are extremely excited to be here in Newton, Iowa,” McKeen said. “Basically, our purpose here is to help people find jobs … This year, we have placed 350 people into competitive employment already and we hope by opening this, that number will grow.”

More than 9,400 people have utilized the Des Moines-based center’s services this year, Mckeen said.

Craig Light, the new executive director of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, said he has made use of the original center’s services when he was job hunting. He added that the new center will be a great fit to the other practices Newton has in place, such as the Buxton Study, to attract employers.

It has only taken a couple of months for the center to go from the planning stages to being ready to serve. Goodwill recruited Kulis from her previous position as a director of career services at a college in Minnesota almost three months ago, and she has been vital to getting this office up and running for the company.

Kulis said that in her time here, she has grown to appreciate how tight knit the community is and its resiliency, which is why she is looking forward to getting started.

“So many things that this community has been doing to come back — it’s so nice to be a part of this community and help this community that I live in and am a part of,” Kulis said.

Much like Hansen and the other civic leaders in attendance, Kulis wants to contribute right away to Newton’s economic development.

“That moment where they say, ‘I have a career.’ That’s what I find most exciting … I think I’m more excited than the people are when they find jobs,” Kulis said.

Hours of operation for the Career Connection Center are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call (641) 417-9174.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.