(Updated September 15, 2005) Austin, TX Carl Williams -- a sorter at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana (New Orleans) -- found something to smile about September 12 at the Austin Convention Center. "I’m moving out [of the convention center] at 3 p.m. today," said Williams, who’s 53. "I’ve got the key in my pocket. And I will get my furniture from Goodwill tonight." "Goodwill is my people."
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas may now occupy a special place in the hearts of many people who attended yesterday's hiring fair, co-sponsored by the Goodwill and Work Source, the Greater Austin Area Workforce Board. Goodwill officials estimate that as many as 1,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees and job seekers walked through the maze of 150 employer booths. CEO Jerry Davis summed up Goodwill's role in responding to disaster, saying, "Our moment is now."
Read more.
Houston, TX
As one of the larger nonprofits in a major destination for hurricane evacuees, Goodwill Industries of Houston is working to help coordinate storm assistance that is aligned with relief efforts already occurring in the city. Employees have put in weeks of long days to staff the Goodwill Jensen Drive/Katrina Distribution Center -- a one-stop shop where victims of Hurricane Katrina can pick up an unlimited number of toiletries, clothing, shoes and other basic necessities for free. So far, 1,500 area storm evacuees have benefited from the service, and more than twice that number have donated goods. For Houston CEO Steve Lufburrow, the initiative is as much a labor of love, as it is giving back to the community what the community once gave to his Goodwill. "We’re very pleased to be able to do this," Lufburrow said. Read more.
Shreveport, LA
North Louisiana Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center was one of the major resources for humanitarian aid. The Goodwill has also supported local Red Cross agencies by providing mattresses, bedding, blankets, books and games to area shelters in Alexandria, Monroe, Natchitoches, and Shreveport. The Goodwill has hired several employees from the New Orleans and Gulfport (MS) Goodwills. On September 6, nearly 1,000 job seekers, primarily storm evacuees, applied for employment at a job fair co-sponsored by the Goodwill, the City of Shreveport, and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Almost 100 employers representing temporary agencies, hospitals, construction companies and municipalities were represented, hiring 60 people on the spot.
San Antonio, TX
For the past two weeks, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio's 14 retail stores have been drop-off points for San Antonio Food Bank donations. The Goodwill has also provided direct shipments of clothing and shoes to area relief centers. More than 7,000 items have been delivered to date. The agency was recently named a member of the San Antonio Hurricane Relief Committee that was instituted by Mayor Phil Hardberger and led by USAA Chair/CEO Robert G. Davis. Hurricane victims may visit any of the Goodwill's Job Help Centers to register and receive job search, job placement and other employment services. Each person who registers may receive merchandise to help them get back on their feet.
Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi city officials have asked Goodwill to “take the lead in collecting, sorting and distributing all donated clothing and other items” to the approximately 1,300 evacuees that have recently arrived in the area. To meet this request, Goodwills throughout the city collected thousands of pounds of textiles, shoes, toys, books and personal hygiene products over the Labor Day weekend. To manage this volume of donated goods, the city provided a 20,000-square-foot building near the shelter and Goodwill employees trained over 400 volunteers to sort and distribute the donations Goodwill has also been asked to participate in the discussion regarding the next phase of relief efforts, after the immediate needs of the evacuees are met.
Forth Worth, TX
Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth has joined forces with local American Red Cross Disaster Relief services to provide free clothing vouchers to storm victims. Evacuees without a voucher, but with a valid identification from Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama, can receive 50 percent off their purchases in Goodwill stores. The Goodwill is also distributing flyers at a nearby Red Cross shelter, offering employment through its Temporary Service arm. In addition, the agency has placed a Goodwill trailer at the American Airlines facility at Alliance Airport to collect water, blankets, toiletries and other necessary supplies for hurricane victims.
Dallas, TX
As relief efforts for hurricane evacuees becomes more organized by the Red Cross at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Goodwill Industries of Dallas is coordinating its services with that organization, and immediately offering Goodwill store vouchers for free clothing and shoes to be redeemed in all area Goodwill stores. The agency is also offering 50 percent off all clothing and shoes in our stores to evacuees showing proof of residency in Lousiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The agency will be conducting additional clothing drives to build store inventories for Katrina victims, and to support this effort, the Goodwill will hire additional staff from the pool of Katrina evacuees seeking employment.
Lafayette, LA
Goodwill Industries Industries of Acadiana staff members have worked tirelessly as evacuees pour into the city located just two hours west of New Orleans. The Goodwill has focused its efforts on coordinating and distributing donations of food, clothing, and bedding to storm evacuees. While the agency originally targeted individuals with disabilities and special needs, it has also assisted children with clothing and school supplies so they may attend local schools. The Goodwill is attempting to help people with special needs receive clothing, bedding, toiletries and other personal items and Goodwills nationwide are sending these items.
Memphis, TN
According to the governor’s estimates, 12,700 hurricane evacuees have arrived in the Volunteer State. To respond to that need, the Memphis Goodwill Industries has appointed a full-time disaster relief coordinator and established a dedicated hotline. It has formed coalitions with five local churches and Associated Catholic Charities to give out pre-sorted clothing and shoes, and the Goodwill hopes to develop more partnerships in the coming days. The Goodwill’s rehabilitation staff has also established office space at one its facilities to house eight to 10 counselors dedicated to storm evacuees’ needs, and is working with the University of Memphis to find jobs within the donated goods program.
Tallahassee, FL
In Tallahassee, Goodwill-Big Bend is working with both Second Harvest and the local Red Cross chapter to coordinate hurricane relief for the approximately 400-500 storm evacuees in the area. The agency has placed Second Harvest canisters to collect food in all of its stores. The Red Cross is also giving evacuee clothing vouchers, which can be exchanged for two outfits at Goodwill stores. And the agency is offering storm victims temporary employment, news of which is being disseminated by the Red Cross, Second Harvest and local media.
Columbus, GA
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers is working on several fronts with the Georgia and Alabama departments of labor and local Red Cross chapters to coordinate hurricane relief to storm refugees in its 50-county area. From September 3-30, the Goodwill will give $2 to a local Red Cross chapter, in the name of each donor who drops off items at one of the agency’s 16 donation sites. Beginning September 6, the Goodwill is working with Red Cross chapters, in distributing $10 vouchers to storm victims so they can redeem them in Goodwill stores. And starting September 7, the Goodwill will work with the business community and other government agencies to amass a database of employment information that may yield temporary job placements.
West Palm Beach, FL
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries is working with the local Red Cross on housing and job referrals for storm evacuees who want to relocate to Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. The agency is accepting cash donations to help evacuees with housing and transportation needs.
Indianapolis, IN
Although only a modest number of evacuees from New Orleans have arrived in Indianapolis, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana is offering storm victims job assistance and vouchers that can be exchanged for clothing or other merchandise in Goodwill stores.
Las Vegas, NV
Goodwill of Southern Nevada is matching cash donations – up to $1,000 – from Goodwill customers at all eight of its retail stores. The funds, collected over a four-week period, will benefit the Goodwill Hurricane Hurricane Relief Fund. On September 8, the Goodwill will offer storm evacuees $25 certificates for use in any its stores.
Phoenix, AZ
Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona is offering preferential consideration to job applicants from the affected storm region. It has also equipped each of its stores with cash donation boxes; 100 percent of the funds deposited will be dedicated to relief efforts.
Portland, OR
Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette is matching employee and board contributions to hurricane relief dollar-for-dollar. The agency plans to provide employment and job relocation services to displaced workers, especially to Goodwill employees from the affected area.
Tulsa, OK
Goodwill Industries of Tulsa has established a voucher program with the local Red Cross chapter to allow storm evacuees to shop in Goodwill stores.
Milwaukee, WI
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin has sent $30,000 worth of store vouchers to Kane County, IL, which has received storm evacuees. The Goodwill plans to work with other local governments in the metropolitan Milwaukee-Chicago area as soon they get evacuees.
