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Last updated on February 8, 2008

Goodwill provides quality, effective employment training and basic education to individuals experiencing significant barriers to economic opportunity. Because jobs change lives.

Description:
Goodwill is a private, non-profit organization that has been serving North Puget Sound for over 80 years. We operate 14 retail thrift stores in this region. Merchandise for our stores comes from generous donations of quality new or reusable items from the public. Sales of these donations support Goodwill's free job training and education programs.

Each year these programs help hundreds of low income and disadvantaged individuals get the skills they need to become economically self-sufficient through work.

We also depend on financial donations from the public which allows us to expand our programs and offer our services to more individuals each year.

History:
Goodwill was founded in 1923 when a group of local businessmen recognized a need to provide training and employment for those without job skills. In the 1930s, when the federal government developed a system to care for the financially disadvantaged, Goodwill began serving those with physical and mental disabilities. For the next 40 years, Goodwill provided these services to the community.

In the 1970s, in response to changing community needs, Goodwill adapted its programs to meet the needs of another group--those with economic, educational, social and vocational barriers to gainful and meaningful employment.

In 1979, Goodwill offered its first vocational training classes. These classes evolved into our current Employment and Training Program. In 1985, a literacy program was added to address the educational needs of program participants. This small literacy program evolved into our former Adult Basic Education Program.

Today, Goodwill is a recognized leader in job training and education programs. Revenues from our 14 retail stores, located in Ballard, Bellingham, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bremerton, Burien, Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mount Vernon, Seattle, Tukwila, and our outlet store in Seattle, provide a majority of the organization's funding. This means that store sales, and the community donations that drive them, are crucial to our ability to provide quality job training and education programs.

Contact person: Betsy McFeely, Public Relations Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (206) 726-1502

Address:

1400 South Lane Street Seattle, WA 98144 (See a map)

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

Directions:

Driving Directions to Seattle Goodwill: Parking lot is on Dearborn Street, up from Uwajimaya. Park anywhere in the lot. Enter the door marked 'Administration.' I-5 heading South: Take I-5 to Dearborn exit. Go down exit ramp to traffic light. Take a left, heading east on Dearborn. Goodwill is 2 blocks up on left hand side. You will see a large sign on Dearborn and a large parking lot. Park in the lot. I-5 heading North: Take I-5 to Dearborn exit. Go down exit ramp and take a right at the light onto Dearborn, heading east. Goodwill is 2 blocks up on left hand side. You will see a large sign on Dearborn and a large parking lot by our facility. Park in the lot. I-90 going West: Take Rainier Avenue North exit which will put you right on Rainier Avenue heading north. Turn left onto Dearborn St. at light. Goodwill is 1 short block on right. Park in lot. West Seattle Bridge: Take bridge to I-5 North, go north on I-5. Take Dearborn exit. Go down exit ramp which ends at traffic light. Take right onto Dearborn St. Goodwill is 2 few blocks up on left hand side. Queen Anne/Ballard/Magnolia/University District: Go to I-5 South and follow directions for I-5 going South.   Nearest Bus Stop: Dearborn Street, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes

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