For 75 years, Goodwill Keystone Area has been committed to fostering positive change and sustainable futures in our communities by offering affordable goods, minimizing environmental impacts and implementing life-changing programs. This legacy continues today as Goodwill works to recycle donations into training, paychecks and careers – opportunities for individuals and families to thrive and flourish.
The Donation Cycle
Goodwill’s unique business model begins with the generosity of local residents who donate gently used items that serve as the initial thread in the tapestry of change. These items find their way to Goodwill retail stores, providing affordable shopping options for people in our communities.
Unsold items at its brick-and-mortar stores and through its online auction site, shopgoodwill.com, are channeled to outlet centers and eventually recycled to minimize waste. Proceeds from the sale and recycling of these donated items are used to support the organization’s mission, fueling programs that empower individuals to build skills, find jobs and grow their careers – referred to as Goodwill’s story behind the store.
Story Behind the Store
Goodwill Keystone Area is committed to helping individuals and families harness the transformative power of work to achieve self-sufficiency. Through an array of job training programs and services, Goodwill actively nurtures skills, connects individuals with employment opportunities and supports the development of meaningful careers. These initiatives extend to both adults and youth, ensuring those they serve have a chance to prosper.
An example of a Goodwill program designed to support individuals in their employment journey is the Community-Based Work Assessment (CBWA). These assessments are specifically tailored to each individual’s vocational interests and provide invaluable insights into their skills and job readiness.
A Goodwill job coach collaborates with the program participant through three paid CBWAs, carefully assessing their skills and gauging the level of assistance required to excel in job-related tasks. At the completion of the CBWAs, the Goodwill job coach engages in discussions with the client and their family to identify potential worksites that align with their interests.
Tasha Buoyed by Goodwill’s Support
Tasha’s journey toward self-sufficiency was marred by years of unemployment and depression, leading to thoughts of despair. Yet, her life took a positive turn thanks to Goodwill.
“[Goodwill’s Karena] continues to lift me up along my journey.”
Following her participation in three CBWAs, Tasha experienced an injury during her final assessment. Despite this setback, her determination and the support of her employment specialist, Karena, led her to secure a part-time busser position at Mad Mex in Willow Grove.
During her time there, Tasha witnessed remarkable growth in her attitudes and abilities. She attributes her success to Karena, who taught her to “walk slowly, quietly and with purpose.” Unfortunately, the restaurant closed just before her one-year anniversary, which was devastating. However, Tasha remains optimistic about her future, having secured her own apartment and graduated from Starting Point, a resource center for mental wellness.
Tasha continues to work with Karena, driven by gratitude for Goodwill’s role in inspiring her resilience and determination. “Goodwill helped me get a job and be successful during my time at Mad Mex,” Tasha said. “Karena has taught me the importance of working hard and staying positive, and she continues to lift me up along my journey.”
Mission Ingrained Internally
Goodwill’s mission of empowering individuals not only extends to people in our communities but is deeply ingrained within the organization itself. At Goodwill, employees are encouraged to pursue personal and professional growth.
The organization has taken this commitment to another level by enhancing its tuition reimbursement policy, making it easier for employees to access educational opportunities. Whether someone is looking to earn a GED, pursue advanced degrees, obtain professional certifications or explore alternative career paths, Goodwill is fully invested in supporting employee journeys to learn and develop.
Wally’s story helps illustrate Goodwill’s commitment. She began at Goodwill as a textile sorter, but with determination and the right support system, she managed to climb the ranks. Wally’s career trajectory saw her transition from being a key holder to an assistant manager and, most impressively, to her current role as a store manager in Berwyn.
Despite struggling with confidence at the outset, management encouraged Wally to seize opportunities for advancement. Wally’s efforts to self-improvement are mirrored in her ongoing participation in college classes, made possible thanks to Goodwill’s tuition support.
New Learning with Goodwill’s Mobile Unit
Aligned with a commitment to professional growth, an exciting new chapter has unfolded with the rollout of the Goodwill Learning Lab. This innovative mobile unit represents a significant leap forward in the organization’s mission to provide valuable training and developmental opportunities.
Recognizing gaps in accessible vocational programs, the learning lab brings training where people are. The 24-foot trailer is equipped with computers and Wi-Fi access, and a Goodwill trainer provides job search and readiness support as well as training in digital literacy and financial well-being.
Not only is the learning lab available to the public upon request, but it rolls into parking lots of Goodwill stores and offices so that employees can conveniently access training. This latest initiative serves as a testament to Goodwill’s unwavering dedication to empowering individuals and strengthening communities.
Donations made to Goodwill Keystone Area are instrumental in creating an interconnected pattern of positive change. Just as individual threads come together to form a tapestry, items donated to Goodwill contribute to various programs and initiatives that collectively bring about transformation to individuals and families in our communities. To learn more about Goodwill and its work to create sustainable futures, visit yourgoodwill.org.
Goodwill Keystone Area Office Locations
1150 Goodwill Drive Harrisburg, PA 17101
3001 St. Lawrence Ave. Reading, PA 19606
HACC Lancaster Campus-East Building 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike Lancaster, PA 17602
717.232.1831 or Toll Free: 1.800.432.4483
yourgoodwill.org
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