Goodwill, as it is generally known, was founded by Methodist Reverend Edgar J. Helms in 1902 in Boston's South End. Continuing with its original strategy Goodwill collects donated goods and clothing for mending and repair. The items are then placed on sale in retail stores, or given to those who work in the stores. The Goodwill philosophy is thus a "a hand up, not a hand out" or "a chance, not a charity" . Helms said Goodwill Industries was 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."
In 1910 the organization was formally incorporated as Morgan Memorial Cooperative Industries and Stores, Inc as it was housed in Boston's Morgan Memorial Chapel. The name "Goodwill Industries" was later adopted after a Brooklyn, NY, workshop coined the phrase.
By 1920 there were 20 Goodwills in major cities in the United States.
Today Goodwill Industries is a $1.8 billion nonprofit organization serving 212,000 people in 1900 retail stores.
Some Goodwill chapters are affiliated with Easter Seals, a program for disabled children.
In addition Goodwill, after conducting job training, provides contract labor services to the public and private sector, and provides placement services for its workers.
See also