That’s a great question! We understand there are so many choices these days when thinking about where to donate gently used clothing and household items. But have you considered that donating to one of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries’ retail or donation center locations means you’re helping neighbors and friends live better lives, every day?
What is the mission of Goodwill?
Goodwill has been in the business of helping people overcome adversity for nearly 130 years. We were founded by the Rev. Edgar J. Helms in 1895 in the South End of Boston. Throughout this time, we’ve adapted and pivoted to face the needs of individuals and communities, but never lost sight of our mission – to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency achieve independence and dignity through work.
How has thrifting changed since Goodwill’s founding?
The industry has exploded! There are thousands of Goodwill retail locations throughout the United States. And, as you know, our stores are just one avenue for donations. Thrifting has become a pastime, a hobby, a business, and for many, a necessity in today’s tight economic times. Through it all, Goodwill has provided gently used clothing and household items at reasonable prices for individuals and families, while staying true to our mission.
Why should I donate to Goodwill?
Giving to Goodwill is like reaching your hand out to help a neighbor. Your donations support job training, career services, and programs that help people achieve independence. Your neighbors, in your neighborhood.
In addition to operating retail stores and drop-off locations throughout the greater Boston area, we provide training programs at our Roxbury headquarters and in Beverly and Springfield.
Each location or program offers training and job assistance for people with barriers to employment. For example:
- Goodwill Boston Career Center allows us to help veterans, the previously incarcerated, and nontraditional employees with the retraining, career counseling, and skill development they require to reenter or enter the workforce.
- Our HELP graduates go on to good jobs in human services.
- Our Employment Supports Program provides training and case management for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Whatever their background, all our participants have one thing in common – the strong desire to achieve dignity and independence through work.
Where a piece of clothing becomes hope for a better future
Thrifting is fun. Donating clothes and household items slows the cycle of textile waste. Saving money is a priority. Your priority. And at Goodwill, our priority is a better future and greater hope for our program participants and team members. Without your donation, though, none of this is possible. So the next time you’re emptying a closet and ready to donate a pile, remember Goodwill and the good we do for you and your community.
Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Goodwill is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work. It provides job training programs for individuals who are responding to challenges such as disabilities, domestic violence, low educational attainment and previous incarceration. Goodwill also operates Goodwill Boston Career Center, a one-stop career center located in Boston that offers universal access to a broad range of services for job seekers. The Goodwill stores in Massachusetts provide jobs and on-the-job training opportunities and offer quality, low-cost goods to individuals and families looking for value. To learn more, visit Goodwill online at www.goodwillmass.org or follow on social media @goodwillboston.