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The History of Goodwill®
Watch the video:
Goodwill Industries 100 Years, 5 Million Lives
14:00
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Goodwill Industries® — 100 Years of the Power of
Work
At the turn of the 20th century, a Methodist minister
in Boston’s South End pioneered an organization
that gave
people hope, dignity, and independence. Rev.
Edgar J. Helms’ original concept was visionary,
for it is just as
relevant today as it was 100 years ago. His
social innovation set in motion a worldwide
movement that would
transform more than 5 million lives over the
course of a century—all through the power of
work.
1863
Edgar James Helms, founding father of Goodwill
Industries, was born in Malone, NY, in January
1863.
1889
Helms enrolls in Boston University Theological
School. Helms had tried his hand at law and
newspaper
publishing, but felt “called to the ministry.”
1892
Helms marries Jean Preston, his childhood
sweetheart.
Helms and two fellow students request that the
City Missionary Society support them in opening
a full-scale
settlement house in the North End. Instead,
Helms is offered a struggling inner city mission
in Boston’s South
End, Morgan Chapel, established a generation
earlier by Henry Morgan.
1896
Helms meets Fred Moore, a young man on his way
to becoming a business executive. Moore
volunteers to
help Helms’ efforts, and begins a lifetime of
service to Goodwill. Moore is the first of many
attracted to
Goodwill by the sheer force of Helms’
personality.
Using burlap bags from Thomas Wood and Company,
Helms goes door-to-door in Boston’s wealthiest
districts asking for donations of clothing and
household goods.
Goodwill differs from many charities of the day,
emphasizing that donated goods could be sold for
profit and
that money would be used to pay workers who
helped refurbish those goods.
1898
Helms’ wife Jean dies of tuberculosis, leaving
behind three children.
1901
Helms marries Jean’s sister, Grace.
1902
Although the incorporation of what would come to
be known as Goodwill is a few years off, the
organization’s
work is well underway. 1902 would become known
as the year "Goodwill Industries" was officially
born.
1905
Relief efforts grow so much that Helms and Moore
incorporate that phase into “Morgan Memorial
Cooperative
Industries and Stores Inc.” to be run as a
nonprofit, charitable corporation.
1909
Four-wheeled motorized trucks are first put into
service for Goodwill.
1915
Representatives from a workshop in Brooklyn, NY,
come to Boston to learn Helms’ techniques. They
adopt the
Morgan Memorial way and Helms adopts their name
—Goodwill Industries.
1918
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act becomes law. It aims to assist veterans with disabilities
returning from World
War I.
1920
With the Methodist church backing expansion, by
1920 there were 15 Goodwills, including Morgan
Memorial.
In subsequent decades, the relationship with the
church would gradually lessen as Goodwill sought
leaders
from outside the ministry, and as federal
funding requirements made it necessary for
Goodwill to become a
more secular organization.
1921
The slogan — Not Charity, But a Chance — is used
to publicize Goodwill's efforts to give people
hope and
independence through work.
Store receipts top $1 million for the first
time.
About a decade after Helms had warned Goodwill
Industries to prepare for the day of economic
reckoning,
Wall Street crashes. Goodwill helps thousands of
people who become destitute.
1926
Helms spreads the message of Goodwill around the
world. In August, his travels take him to
Australia, Japan,
China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Ceylon (Sri
Lanka), India, Egypt and several European
countries. While on
these travels, Helms writes much of the book,
“Pioneering in Modern City Missions.”
1934
Helms realizes Goodwill needs to have a bigger
hand in rehabilitation. In a prophetic letter,
he writes,
"Goodwill will be out of business if it does not
take over work with the handicapped people.”
1941
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor galvanizes
Americans and Goodwill. Goodwill adopts a new
slogan —
Salvage for Victory.
1942
Helms dies on December 23 leaving behind his
second wife and 12 children. An estimated 1,500
people
throng Boston’s Morgan Memorial Church of All
Nations to pay final tribute.
Goodwill participates in the “Bundles for
Europe” program, sending used clothing to Allied
countries hardest
hit by the war.
1945
Goodwill Industries becomes known for helping people with
disabilities through job training.
1950s
A Goodwill public relations director asks Milton
Caniff to draw a cartoon. The result is “Good
Willy,” which
becomes a beloved and well-known symbol of
Goodwill efforts.
Along with its rehabilitation work, Goodwill
stores continue to flourish. Various celebrities
appeal to the public
to donate items to Goodwill. And the public
heeds their pleas, bringing tons of goods to
collection boxes and
donation centers.
As collections pour in, those needing work sort,
clean, price, and display items in Goodwill
thrift stores. The
organization opens its doors to anyone with a
willingness to work.
1958
Norman Rockwell gives Goodwill the much-loved
painting, “The Paycheck.”
1960s
Goodwill becomes the uncontested leader in
vocational rehabilitation.
Boston designer Joseph Selame creates the
universally recognized Goodwill logo.
1970s
Goodwill creates thousands of jobs and raises
thousands of dollars in revenue by contracting
with federal
and state governments, as well as private
industry. From janitorial services to
manufacturing, Goodwill finds
workers to take care of industry’s needs, and
puts people to work.
1980s
A technological revolution sweeps the globe. Seeing a major shift approaching, Goodwill
becomes computer
savvy, emphasizing technology in its career
services.
Goodwills provide childcare, transportation, and
financial management assistance along with a
host of other
support services.
1990s
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is
signed into law on July 26, 1990.
Goodwill continues to evolve to address other
workplace barriers such as welfare dependency,
lack of work
experience, illiteracy, and past criminal
histories.
The United States launches an initiative to move
welfare recipients into the workforce. Goodwill
offers those
trying to get off the welfare rolls the kind of
training and support services that lead not just
to jobs, but
careers.
2001
Helms’ dream of launching Goodwill member
agencies around the
world is realized — 36 associate members operate
in
25
countries.
Goodwill members top $1.85 billion in revenues
and serve close to half a million people with
their programs.
2002
Goodwill Industries' 100th anniversary in Milwaukee, WI.
Tomorrow
While Goodwill Industries has an amazing history
and record of accomplishment, we cannot be
satisfied while
so many still need our services. Through the
21st Century Initiative, the organization seeks
to improve the
economic self-sufficiency of 20 million people
and their families by 2020. 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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