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| Last updated on May 14, 2008 |
Goodwill helps people with disabilities and other employment barriers find work by providing jobs, training and educational opportunities.
Description:
Internationally, Goodwill Industries encompasses 205-member organizations in the United States, Canada and 24 other countries.
Today Tacoma Goodwill Industries operates 20 retail stores, serves clients from 15 counties, and directly employs approximately 950 people – nearly half of whom have disabilities or disadvantages.
The single largest revenue source is still the retail and online sales of donated goods. Other sources of income include private and government grants, commercial services - involving assembly, packaging and business fulfillment - and charitable contributions.
While Goodwill is no longer in the business of repairing donated items, it employs hundreds of people in the cycle of donations, processing, and resale of these goods. Training programs in computer technology, English as a Second Language, custodial skills, and on-the-job skills, just to name a few, help our clients move to competitive employment in the community.
History:
In 1902, Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister, founded Goodwill in Boston.
When a struggling group of individuals asked Helms (the founder of Goodwill) for help getting food and clothes, Helms took a burlap bag and went to Boston's wealthy citizens. Instead of asking for money, he asked for whatever clothing they could spare. The Goodwill store was born when Helms hired people in need - many of whom were considered unemployable - to repair damaged items and sell the donated goods.
'A hand up...'
"A hand up, not a hand out" was his motto. Helms opened Goodwill's doors to anyone with a "willingness to work" and became the pioneer of an organization that gave people hope, dignity and independence by providing them with the means to earn a paycheck and support their families.
His social innovation set in motion a worldwide movement - Goodwill Industries - that has touched more than 5 million lives over the course of the past century.
Tacoma history
In Tacoma, Rev. Herbert W. Michener - a young Methodist minister, who had known Goodwill founder Rev. Helms - talked constantly about introducing Goodwill Industries to Tacoma. Eventually, in 1921, the ladies of Michener's church handed him some leftover materials from a rummage sale and suggested he get started.
It was on April 19, 1922 Tacoma Goodwill Industries filed formal articles of incorporation to operate as a nonprofit organization in Tacoma, and located in the old Central Methodist Church.
During the 1930s, Goodwill Industries became known as the most outstanding philanthropic movement of its time. Tacoma Goodwill grew so quickly that on five different occasions it was required to seek larger quarters.
Growing to meet service needs:
In 1932, its first dedicated structure was built at 356 Tacoma Ave. S.
On Aug. 28, 1952, Tacoma Goodwill Industries established its first branch operations, setting up a small retail store in Yakima.
In 1958, the concept of specialized rehabilitation for the developmentally and emotionally disabled came about, and the foundation was laid for the program of rehabilitation services that this agency delivers today.
Tacoma Goodwill Industries continued to grow. In 1965, the industrial operations and administration offices moved to a new building at 714 S. 27th St., where the still operate from today.
Tacoma Goodwill Industries also branched out in to Longview setting up a small workshop and retail outlet on June 1, 1962.
It was in 1973 that Tacoma Goodwill Industries received its first full three-year accreditation from CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (253) 572-4327
Address:
 |
714 South 27th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.tacomagoodwill.org
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