PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORTHGATE
Last April, General Motors recognized NorthGate as a Supplier of the Year Overdrive Award winner—an extraordinary honor. Out of more than 29,000 global suppliers, NorthGate was one of just eight to receive an Overdrive Award, which recognizes suppliers that consistently go above and beyond expectations. Leaders at NorthGate believe this recognition is largely due to their Be Ready initiative and the positive impact it has on both employees and the Flint community.
In short, NorthGate is a second-chance employer in Flint with a simple but powerful mission: Bless People. The company offers extensive and unique services designed to support employees in becoming more stable, successful citizens and contributors in the workplace.
The following are just some of the services offered through the Be Ready initiative:
Life Coaching
✔ Planning for personal and career goals
✔ Guidance on opening a checking account
✔ Budget creation and financial literacy
✔ Communication and interpersonal skills training
Additional Support Services
✔ MTA transportation to NorthGate plants
✔ On-site services from:
• Secretary of State
• Friend of the Court
• Legal Services of Eastern
Michigan
✔ Car repair programs
✔ Loan assistance programs
✔ In-house clothing “store”
✔ Housing assistance
This list represents only a portion of the initiatives available, but it clearly illustrates NorthGate’s deep commitment to its employees and the surrounding community.
Joyce Sanders, Manager of Be Ready Enrichment Services at NorthGate, shared additional insight into the program.
Joyce explained that Be Ready launched in 2018 following a conversation between owner Andy Goggins and CEO George Wilkinson about how NorthGate could more intentionally support its workforce. The discussion built on the legacy of the company’s founder, Jack Goggins, who believed deeply in caring for employees as people—not just workers. That philosophy remains a core part of NorthGate’s DNA today.
The conversation was prompted by what leadership was seeing both within the workforce and across the Flint community. Employee effort and commitment were not the issue—access was.
As a proud second-chance employer by choice, NorthGate recognizes that many employees bring strong work ethic and resilience while also facing barriers tied to past circumstances and long-standing instability.
“Be Ready formalized what has always been part of NorthGate’s culture by addressing opportunity and resource gaps rather than treating challenges as performance issues,” Joyce said. “It is a direct expression of our mission to Bless People—investing in you, for you, with you, for sustainable success.”
George Wilkinson received the Charles Stewart Mott Award at the Flint Genesee Group awards night.
Mia Turner (Executive Director of Human Resources) and Joyce Sanders (Manager of Be Ready Enrichment Services) accepted the award for Business Impact from the Flint Genesee Group.
Participation in Be Ready is completely voluntary. Employees are never required to engage, and there is no penalty or stigma for choosing not to participate. The program is confidential, supportive, and employee-driven. Importantly, services are offered during work hours so employees do not have to choose between receiving support and earning a paycheck.
Since its launch, more than 100 NorthGate employees have accessed Be Ready services in some capacity.
Joyce noted that at any given time, dozens of employees may be actively engaged through coaching, cohort programs, or resource support, depending on their individual needs and life circumstances.
Regarding the Supplier of the Year Overdrive Award, Joyce explained that during the 2024 award cycle, approximately 90 companies from 12 countries were named General Motors Suppliers of the Year. Of those, only eight received the Overdrive Award—the highest level of recognition within the program.
NorthGate was honored as one of those eight in the Diversity and Inclusion category for its Be Ready Enrichment Services initiative. The award reflects NorthGate’s intentional investment in workforce stability, access, and long-term success.
While many companies offer traditional employee assistance programs, Be Ready stands apart in both philosophy and execution. Joyce emphasized that it is not a hotline or a referral list. Instead, Be Ready is an embedded enrichment model that provides direct access to coaching, education, resource navigation, and strong community partnerships—all integrated into the workday. It reflects NorthGate’s belief that investing in people is essential to long-term business success.
Employee Testimonials
Earl Dixon II:
Through their guidance, I have learned how to grow not only professionally, but personally as well. They taught me not to lower myself to other people’s level, but instead to rise above and help bring others up with me. I have learned the importance of pausing before reacting, thinking critically, and identifying underlying issues rather than responding only to what is on the surface. These lessons have changed the way I approach challenges and relationships, both at work and in my everyday life.
I am also a proud graduate of the Shift and Launch classes. These courses helped place me in a corporate mindset and taught me how to view situations from a management perspective. Additionally, Be Ready Enrichment Services supported me in obtaining my license and is currently helping me take steps toward returning to school so I can pursue my dreams. The program is fully aligned with NorthGate’s mission statement: “Investing in you, for you, and with you.”
Shift participants display their certificates showing they met the requirements to move into Launch.
Shown here is the latest graduating class of NorthGate’s Launch program.
Brandon Stewart:
This program has provided me with valuable tools that I apply both in the workplace and in my personal life. Adopting the Be Ready mindset of serving and uplifting others has given me a renewed sense of pride in myself and in being an employee of NorthGate.
Trent Terry, Superintendent of Packaging:
Opportunity means preparing and developing a workforce that is capable and driven toward success. Be Ready promotes solution-driven thinking and removes barriers that would normally deflate or reduce successful thinking. The program provides resources that guide individuals on a path to better position themselves to achieve greatness. The key to opportunity is to Be Ready—and to be prepared to make the uncomfortable comfortable.
Bonnie Hyde:
Be Ready has helped me so much. If it had not been for their referral, I would have been lost—I would have been homeless. They helped me get my furnace replaced, and that saved my home. Thank you for your patience and persistence. They are amazing.
Charmia Stocker:
Be Ready has helped me improve in many ways, both inside and outside of work. My confidence has grown, and I am now much more comfortable with public speaking.
For more information about the Be Ready initiative, visit bereadyflint.com.
To learn more about NorthGate, visit go2northgate.com.
