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 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
Eddie Leonard is passionate about Goodwill. Eddie was once an active high school athlete and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He lived overseas while working for the Department of Defense and later worked as a supervisor with an agency that served youth and group homes in his home state. Eddie was once an active high school athlete and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He lived overseas while working for the Department of Defense and later worked as a supervisor with an agency that served youth and group homes in his home state.
James Bennett dreamed of playing professional basketball. He was a talented player and was scouted by local high schools. But that dream ended in January 2005, when he was shot in the head and spine, leaving him with partial paralysis, because he was mistaken for a gang member's rival. James spent a month in the hospital and five months in rehabilitation. His school system failed to reassign him to a new school. He sat at home for three years, started using drugs and slipped into depression. Then, shortly after he turned 18, his mother abandoned James and his younger siblings.
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Where can I donate my stuff? Does Goodwill make house calls to pick up donations? Why should I donate to my local Goodwill rather than another thrift store? It seems like Goodwill services vary in different geographic locations. Why is this? What happens to donated items that aren’t sold at Goodwill stores? If I shop
Can I have SCSEP participants train or work at my organization? We are always looking for new training locations for SCSEP participants. If you would like to have participants placed at your non-profit or governmental agency and you are located in one of our SCSEP areas, visit our page on becoming a Goodwill SCSEP host.
The Goodwill Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) can place low-income seniors in on-the-job training assignments at your organization at no cost to you. You provide the training and supervision, and the SCSEP workers will expand your capacity to provide valuable, community-based programs and services. To qualify as a SCSEP Host Agency, you must: Be
