Our Vision

At Goodwill/Easter Seals, we envision strong and vibrant communities where all people are economically self-sufficient.

Our Mission

We assist people with barriers to education, employment and independence in achieving their goals.

History:
Since 1919, Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota has provided services for people with disabilities and barriers to employment, education and independence.

Beginnings
The first Goodwill chapter west of the Mississippi River was Goodwill Industries of St. Paul, founded by St. Paul civic leaders and Rev. Herbert Burgstahler. The original site was the Church of the Good Shepard at 12th and Cedar in St. Paul.

The organization followed the model of Goodwill Industries of America and accepted donations. Goodwill workers repaired donated merchandise and were paid by Goodwill store sale receipts.
During the Depression, Goodwill provided jobs and low-cost merchandise. Goodwill also ran a Community House for 30 to 50 workers, a home for the elderly and a vocational training program for young people with physical disabilities.

WWII & post-war years
During World War II, the federal government requested that Goodwill Industries support the rehabilitation of servicemen with disabilities, which resulted in new training programs and a vocational training center. The prosperity of the postwar era brought financial stability; building loans were paid off and stores were opened.

The 1960s & 70s
In the 1960s, Goodwill shifted its emphasis from assisting "the aged and downtrodden" to programs for people with mental and physical disabilities. Funds were raised to build sheltered workshops and purchase furniture repair equipment.

In the 1970s, our territory expanded to include Minneapolis. Goodwill sought and received accreditation from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) in 1977. CARF is the standard-setting and accrediting body for the nation.

The 1980s & 90s
In 1984, Goodwill Industries and the Easter Seals Society merged in Minnesota. The merger combined the best resources of both national organizations to offer job training, placement and other employment services. The organization was renamed Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota.

Development of retail stores and service centers in greater Minnesota soon followed. Appeals for donated items made a strong pitch for the benefits of recycling.

We began serving individuals with economic and educational barriers to employment. Welfare recipients entered our industry-specific skills training programs in the automotive, banking, construction and retail fields.

The new millennium
Today, Goodwill//Easter Seals continues its commitment to creating solutions and changing lives through the power of work. We’re leaders and innovators in workforce development and employment services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. We continue to seek creative ways to diversify funding resources for our services by:
Expanding our retail division with online sales, our Second Début designer art and clothing boutique, Goodwill Outlet and opening additional stores;
Online and direct-mail fundraising for scholarships and other programs;
Grants and corporate partnerships and sponsorships; and
Contracts with public agencies to serve people with barriers to employment.

Please contact us for more information on Goodwill/Easter Seals. To learn more, we invite you to tour of Goodwill/Easter Seals main offices in St. Paul.

Contact person: Beth Mammenga, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

553 Fairview Ave N St. Paul, MN 55104 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org