National Workforce Development Month
Goodwill History
December 20, 2017Celebrating 60 Years
Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston’s South End by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Appalled by the harsh working conditions economically deprived families faced, Helms collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired those who were poor, often immigrants from the Old World, to mend and repair the used goods. The goods were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them. This laid the philosophical foundation of the Goodwill movement: everyone has the potential to work, and work provides dignity and empowerment for all individuals.
Dr. Helms’ vision set an early course for what today has become more than a $5 billion international nonprofit organization that serves millions of individuals each year. Helms described Goodwill Industries as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.” The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of “a hand up, not a hand out” was born.
“Not charity but a chance. It believes more in prevention than cure. That is what a job does.” – Edgar James Helms
While Goodwill is an international brand, each Goodwill is unique because its operations and services reflect the opportunities and needs of its local communities. Each member Goodwill is an independent, incorporated organization governed by a local board of directors. Each local Goodwill must be accredited, apply for membership and meet the criteria and standards for membership established by the GII Delegate Assembly and executed through Goodwill Industries International.
Celebrating 60 Years
Through the Years
1902
Founded by Rev. Edgar J. Helms in Boston, MA
1918
The Methodist Episcopal Church became involved with Goodwill® and gave Goodwill $1 million to expand. From this point forward, Goodwill began to experience significant growth.
1921
“Not Charity but a Chance” became the slogan used to publicize the effort Goodwill puts into giving people hope and independence through work.
1926
Helms went on a mission around the world to spread the Goodwill story. The Methodist Church felt “Goodwill is simply too powerful an idea to stay within the borders of one country.” Over the next several decades, Goodwill helped establish or support organizations with similar missions in other parts of the world.
1929
The Great Depression hit the country hard, and the number of people Goodwill served jumped from 13,000 in 1929 to a peak of 53,000 in 1933.
1930
During the 1930s, Goodwill began working with individuals with disabilities in addition to those with economic challenges.
1951
Goodwill celebrated its first “Goodwill Week.” Goodwill Week began as “Goodwill Week and Open House,” a way to showcase Goodwill to the general public.
1951 & 1958
Illustrator Milton Caniff created “Good Willy” in 1951, a well-known symbol of Goodwill efforts during that decade. In 1958, Norman Rockwell, one of America’s great 20th century American illustrators, created “First Paycheck” and later gave it to Goodwill.
1957
Goodwill Industries of Kansas incorporated as a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of Kansans with disabilities.
1962
Ronald Reagan made a public address message informing everyone about the mission of Goodwill.
1965
Goodwill Industries of Kansas established a dedicated building and opened its first retail store in Kansas.
1968
The “Smiling G” logo was designed “to represent the Goodwill name and the smiles that come from helping people help themselves.” Today, it is one of the most recognized logos in the U.S.
1979
Marie Mareda became the second President/CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kansas.
1990
Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.
1996
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation passed, and the number of persons served by Goodwill dramatically increased. Goodwill began to serve more people with disadvantages than with disabilities.
1999
Goodwill Industries of Orange County (Santa Ana, CA) launched shopgoodwill.com, an online auction site that features specialty items donated to and posted by Goodwill member agencies across the U.S. Shopgoodwill.com received national attention in August 2009, when TIME.com named it one of the 50 Best Web Sites of 2009.
2003
Goodwill Industries of Kansas expanded programs to individuals with economic disadvantages to provide education and job skills training.
2005
Emily Compton became the third President/CEO for Goodwill Industries of Kansas, having served Goodwill organizations across the U.S. since 1986.
2014
Goodwill Industries of Kansas partnered with WSU Tech (formerly known as Wichita Area Technical College) to form NexStep Alliance.
2015
The Goodwill Industries of Kansas sewing department branded its products as Edgar James Apparel, named for Goodwill’s founder.
2017
Goodwill Industries of Kansas partnered with WSU Tech to launch the FutureMaker Mobile Learning Lab, helping students get a hands-on look at science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers in fields like nursing, advanced manufacturing, aviation and more.
2018
Goodwill Industries of Kansas partnered with Google to launch the mobile Learn IT Digital Skills Classroom to help Kansans gain access to a wide range of hands-on workshops, building a more marketable workforce.
2020
NexStep Alliance launched the NexStep Unlocked initiative to help Kansans exiting the justice system successfully maintain their freedom by gaining their GED and college-level certifications.
2021
Laura Ritterbush became the fourth President/CEO for Goodwill Industries of Kansas, with an extensive background in mission services.
Today
Goodwill Industries is one of the nation’s most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands* and a leading social services enterprise with multiple stores and various job training and education programs in Kansas. (*2009 Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100)
115 Years of Goodwill
Looking Forward
While Goodwill Industries has an amazing history and record of accomplishment, we cannot be satisfied while so many still need our services. New programs are being evaluated and added as the leadership and board recognize changing needs in the community.
Times have changed, but Helms’ vision remains constant: “We have courage and are unafraid. With the prayerful cooperation of millions of our bag contributors and of our workers, we will press on till the curse of poverty and exploitation is banished from mankind.”
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