Goodwill® Celebrates Founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms' 150th Birthday

On January 19, 2013, Goodwill Industries® celebrates the 150th birthday of our founder, Reverend Edgar James Helms (1863-1942), a man admired for his uncommon character and entrepreneurial vision.

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Goodwill® Named One of America’s Most Inspiring Companies by Forbes

Forbes recently released a list of America’s 25 Most Inspiring Companies that included Goodwill® this year for the first time. The article quoted Terry Barber, chief inspiration officer for Performance Inspired, as saying: “Consumers are really appreciative of the Goodwill retail stores and the perceived feel-good value they are bringing to local communities.”

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Programs and Services Offered by Goodwill®

Goodwill Industries Week was first celebrated in May, 1951, as a way for local Goodwill agencies to educate their communities about their mission of “helping people with disabilities help themselves.” This year, we mark the 60th anniversary of Goodwill Industries Week and the power of work. You know Goodwill for its retail stores, but do you know where the revenue from the sale of those donated goods ends up? Keep reading to check out a list of just a few of the many programs Goodwill members in the U.S. and Canada may offer.

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Goodwill's 21st Century Initiative

Goodwill has committed to serving 20 million people by 2020. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2002, Goodwill Industries launched an international workforce development initiative designed to get millions of people into the workplace and up the career ladder by the year 2020. Known as the Goodwill Industries 21st Century Initiative, the plan

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Goodwill's Heritage, Mission, Vision and Values

Our Heritage “Friends of Goodwill, be dissatisfied with your work until every handicapped and unfortunate person in your community has an opportunity to develop to his fullest usefulness and enjoy a maximum of abundant living.” — Dr. Edgar J. Helms, 1941 Our Mission Goodwill® works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals

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Goodwill's History

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired those who were poor to mend and repair the used goods. The goods were then resold or were given

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