Goodwill® Celebrates Mission During Annual Goodwill Industries Week

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's Goodwill Industries Week, a time during which Goodwill organizations celebrate the 116-year-old anniversary of the founding of Goodwill, and the impact of the mission on communities throughout the United States and Canada. This year, the commemoration takes places from May 7 – 13, and it highlights how community contributions help local Goodwill organizations provide skills training, employment and community-based opportunities such as financial education and mentoring to people with disabilities and disadvantages, veterans and military families, youth and young adults, older workers, people reintegrating into society, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

Goodwill is made up of 162 autonomous, community-based nonprofit organizations that provide individuals and families with opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 69 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 1.7 million people received in person services.

The annual Goodwill Industries Week has been observed by local Goodwill organizations for more than 65 years, and it serves as an opportunity to thank community members for their contributions to the Goodwill mission. This week, local organizations will host a variety of mission-related activities, including career fairs and hiring events, fundraisers and donation drives, galas, and even customer appreciation sales at retail stores.

"We always look forward to Goodwill Industries Week as a way to celebrate our communities and the impact of our mission," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "This week, we invite people to celebrate with us by donating items that they no longer use or need, and shop for new favorites, so that we can continue to improve quality of life for the millions of individuals and families served by their local Goodwill."

Visit www.goodwill.org to find the nearest Goodwill location, job fair or event, and learn how you can help build a brighter future for someone in your community, visit www.goodwill.org/week and follow #GoodwillWeek and #GoodwillIndustriesWeek on social media.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world for two consecutive years, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes' 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,300 stores collectively and online at http://www.shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations build revenues and create jobs by contracting with commercial, state, government and non-government organizations to provide a wide range of business services, including manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, packaging, assembly, food preparation, document management, groundskeeping and  administrative. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada.

In addition, more than 69 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 1.7 million people received in person services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International