News Release

• More Releases

Goodwill Industries Sees Nearly 10 Percent Increase in Services; More People Participating in Job Training Programs

Organization Celebrates 2007 Goodwill Industries Week, May 6-12

May 7, 2007

Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International is helping more and more people find and keep good jobs.  In 2006, the organization provided job training and career services to 930,652 people, an increase of 9.9 percent from 2005.  The organization also generated a 9.8 percent increase in revenue from $2.65 (b) billion in 2005 to $2.91 (b) billion in 2006.

“Goodwill is breaking down barriers and putting people to work,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “We believe that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships.”

When someone is having a hard time finding a job, either because of a disability, poverty, or lack of education and work experience, Goodwill Industries is there to help.  The organization does that by selling donations of clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and using the revenue to fund job training programs that benefit hundreds of thousands of people each year.  

People like stroke victim Victoria Williams, who despite a lifetime of personal tragedy repeatedly overcame adversity to successfully find and keep good jobs.  As a result of her determination to keep working and help others, Williams is being recognized as Goodwill Industries International’s 2007 Achiever of the Year. 

And others, like a Phoenix dad who is working again and providing for his family despite lingering effects from a serious motocross accident.  Victor Quibas got the job training and personal support he needed to re-enter the workforce after eight years, and is being recognized as Goodwill Industries International’s 2007 Graduate of the Year.

The organization is celebrating Goodwill Industries Week May 6-12.   Local community-based Goodwill agencies worldwide will mark the occasion with employee and volunteer recognition events, as well as programs to honor and support the people they serve.

Read more about Goodwill Industries Week.