Goodwill Industries Reports Record Highs In Service And Revenues

Goodwill Industries International
Monday, 5 May 2003

Over 580,000 people benefited from Goodwill job-training and career services in 2002, and the agency reports a new high of $2.06 (b) billion in revenues for the year. The figures represent an increase of 7 percent in people served since 2001 and a revenue rise of 6 percent.

Goodwill Industries provides a broad range of training courses for in-demand jobs in fields such as computer programming, health care, financial services and hospitality. Life skills training and counseling, elements of Goodwill's core services, help to prepare individuals for the demands of the workplace, while job coaching and post-employment support ensure people's long-term success. Many Goodwill agencies also provide assistive technology devices and training for people with disabilities such as vision or hearing impairment and paralysis. The organization serves individuals with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, as well as those with disadvantages such as welfare dependency, illiteracy, homelessness or lack of work experience. Last year, Goodwill served 583,351 people.

"We helping people establish a lifelong career plan through education and career development," says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "We have the flexibility to meet the needs of our clients while meeting the needs of employers."

In 2002, Goodwill Industries launched its 21st Century Initiative, an ambitious plan to help 20 million people enter the workforce and move up the career ladder by the year 2020. The plan focuses on several broad areas, including training people for careers in the 21st century workforce, providing services to support the whole family, increasing the use of technology in Goodwill's core curriculum, and developing business opportunities that offer good jobs.

"At Goodwill Industries, we know that the most effective way to help people is by providing them with a means to earn a paycheck and support their families," says Kessinger. "We believe that work creates the economic energy that builds strong communities."

More than 46 (m) million people donated clothing, household goods, computers, cars and other items to Goodwill, generating $1.12 (b) billion in revenues for Goodwill programs. Goodwill sells its donations in 1,893 retail stores across North America and on its Internet auction site, shopgoodwill.com. Goodwill's retail stores earn more than 50 percent of Goodwill's operating revenue, and provide work experience and jobs for thousands of people each year. The organization also builds revenues, and creates jobs, by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of labor services including janitorial work, packaging and assembly, food service preparation and document shredding. In 2002, Goodwill earned $354.9 (m) million through these commercial services. Goodwill Industries channels 84.9 percent of its combined revenues directly into programs for people who need career skills and other support.

For more information, or to contact Goodwill Industries International, see their website at: www.goodwill.org