FLINT, Michigan — A Flint-based company's simple mission of 'blessing people' is now being celebrated on a global stage.
NorthGate, a packaging provider with local roots and an unwavering commitment to second-chance employment, has been named one of just eight companies worldwide to receive
General Motors’ 2024 Supplier of the Year Overdrive Award, selected from a pool of more than 27,000 suppliers.
NorthGate’s Vice President of Human Resources, Mia Turner, says the moment was unforgettable. “I was really honored and deeply moved,” said Turner. “It was one of those moments where you realize the world—in this case, GM—is finally recognizing how wonderful our programs are here and all the hard work that goes into them.”
At the core of NorthGate’s impact is
Be Ready Enrichment Services, a holistic workforce development program designed to meet employees where they are, whether reentering the workforce, starting fresh, or aspiring to grow into leadership roles.
Joyce Sanders, Be Ready Enrichment Services Manager, felt a similar mix of shock and pride when learning about the award. “I hadn’t even realized we were up for an award, much less something on a global scale,” said Sanders. “To be recognized like this validates all the sacrifice, the vision, and the heart we pour in day in and day out.”
Two stories stand out as examples of how NorthGate puts its mission into action. One employee, homeless when he first joined, was able to secure stable housing and purchase a reliable vehicle with the company’s support. Nearly five years later, he remains with the company and is thriving.
Another employee started in an entry-level role and showed clear leadership potential. Through NorthGate’s Launch professional development cohort, she received training, mentorship, and personal development support. Today, she serves as an assistant superintendent at the company’s North Star facility.
“Unlocking that potential and creating those pathways is exactly why we do what we do,” said Sanders.
NorthGate’s success is linked to its commitment to hiring individuals who have faced barriers to employment, including those with involvement in the justice system. For Turner, this approach isn’t just a policy, it’s a way of being.
“Our second-chance hiring philosophy really is the pillar of who we are,” she said. “You have to walk that out and be committed to it. When you create an environment where people feel trusted, seen, and supported—regardless of where they’re coming from—you get unmatched loyalty and purpose-driven work.”
Turner says the results speak for themselves: higher retention, deeper engagement, and a company culture that balances empathy with accountability. That holistic support would not be possible without community partnerships.
NorthGate works closely with organizations like GST Michigan Works to offer emergency support and career development resources. Through partnerships with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the company has helped six employees obtain felony expungements, changing the trajectory of their lives.
In collaboration with Genesee County Friend of the Court, NorthGate has also brought onsite case management to its facilities, resolving more than $40,000 in child support arrears for employees.
“When people’s lives are impacted for the better, when people who felt like they didn’t have hope suddenly have options, it’s hard to rank the impact of that,” Sanders expressed.
As NorthGate celebrates this milestone, the company is already looking to the future. Turner says the next phase will focus on deepening local impact and creating models that can expand beyond Flint.
“Our momentum is about being that gift, and we’re going to use that momentum as a mandate,” she said. “We are being called to do more, to reach farther, and to keep people centered in everything we do.”
For more information about NorthGate and Be Ready Enrichment Services, visit: go2northgate.com and bereadyflint.com
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