History of Goodwill

Goodwill has been helping people find jobs and become more self-sufficient for 100 years!

The Goodwill movement began in Boston in 1902, dedicated to helping people with a disability. Spurred by the realization that the needs of people with disabilities could no longer be ignored, community leaders in 1966 worked with United Way officials to form Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, serving participants in Kent County.

Today, Goodwill has a successful record as a non-profit organization that uses sound business practices to provide vocational rehabilitation services, job training, and placement services for people with physical and /or mental disabilities or various barriers to employment.

The Goodwill concept has proven effective. A person’s skills and potential are carefully assessed by professional staff, leading to work assignment to improve abilities. Training programs are provided to equip a person with a specific skill in the competitive labor market. With supervision and support, each person learns proper work habits, punctuality, relationships with co-workers and standards of quality. The participant makes the transition to a work environment and enjoys the dignity of work and the management of wages earned.

In its 39 years, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. has helped people with disabilities and other barriers to employment realize their potential for greater satisfaction in life and to participate in the community as taxpayers and consumers. Ninety percent of Goodwill store revenues support employment & training programs.