Nonprofit Celebrates 60th Annual Goodwill Industries Week
May 2, 2011
Northern New England — Established in 1902, Goodwill Industries® has taken its social entrepreneurship role to new heights through expanded partnerships, the use of new media and a renewed commitment to stronger families and communities.
From May 1–7, Goodwill® agencies across the United States and Canada will celebrate the 60th annual Goodwill Industries Week, reflecting on how the nonprofit has grown with the times yet kept true to its founding values. A recent and dramatic example of Goodwill’s growth was represented through the launch of the Donate Movement, which united people around a common cause of protecting the environment through socially conscious donations. Goodwill’s groundbreaking Donation Impact Calculator (donate.goodwill.org) demonstrates the value of donations to the planet and to the people Goodwill serves through critical job training and career services. The movement has also garnered highly visible partners like television network Planet Green and retailers Hanes and Levi’s — organizations that share Goodwill’s vision.
“Edgar Helms couldn’t have foreseen how his vision of social entrepreneurship would unite so many diverse entities around a single goal,” said Judy Stone, Board President of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. “Shoppers and donors, as well as our new cause-marketing partners, now see the real value in our work and how each person plays a role in creating a cleaner planet and stronger communities.”
There are 165 independent Goodwill agencies in the United States and Canada that tailor job training programs and career services to meet the specific needs of employers in their communities. Goodwill provides a wide range of training and services, including job training and placement, career counseling, family strengthening services, youth employment opportunities, brain injury programs, and other community support services for people with disabilities.
Goodwill also helps people find jobs by contracting with government and businesses to provide commercial and residential cleaning services. Goodwill’s Good Clean Property Services uses eco-friendly cleaning products and offers general and commercial cleaning, certified pest control, landscape management, recycling and document destruction.
“This Goodwill Industries Week, we thank you for the part you’ve played in our history and the part you will play in shaping our future,” said Stone. “Your continued support keeps alive a century-old vision that work transforms lives.”
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About Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has a 78-year history of providing innovative services that eliminate barriers to opportunity and help people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Last year, we served over 80,000 individuals through job training and placement, career counseling, family strengthening services, youth employment opportunities, brain injury programs, and other community support services for people with disabilities. Our programs are funded by revenue from our 26 retail stores, grants, fees, and financial gifts. Please visit www.goodwillnne.org for more information.
Contact: Michelle Smith, Communications Manager
(207) 699-0724
Cell: (207) 239-7225
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