Background and History
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| Gaslamp Store in the 1940s |
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY (GISD), a private, not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 1930 at 16th and Imperial in San Diego by a group of community leaders. After more than 60 years in the Gaslamp quarter, in 1994 we moved our offices to our current site in Pt. Loma. At the current time, we have 12 retail locations and 17 donation centers in San Diego County.
GISD is affiliated with Goodwill Industries International, as part of a network of over 165 autonomous corporations operating under the Goodwill name in the United States, with another 40 affiliate organizations in 24 countries internationally.
View
Goodwill's IRS 990 on Guidestar. Simply type in Goodwill in one box, and San Diego in the other.
Our purpose is
"to get people jobs".
EVOLUTION OF THE GOODWILL PHILOSOPHY
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| Pat Macy ready to interview applicants |
Goodwill believes that work is one of the foundations of a meaningful life. In our over 77 years in this industry, we have witnessed the dramatic impact of the POWER OF WORK.
In the beginning we were simply known as an employer of persons with disabilities. Today's Goodwill is a vital, proactive organization that, in addition to providing vital training and paid work experience to people with developmental disabilities, now offers free services to anyone in the communtiy who is looking for a job, or a new job through Goodwill Employment Centers.
Original Donation Centers
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| Original Donation Centers |
Your donations provide jobs and hope for our employees, our program participants and the community at large. Make an investment in your community today.
FACTS ABOUT GOODWILL
Goodwill does not solicit cash donations, or hold fundraising events, although financial donations are graciously accepted. We encourage donors to remember us through planned giving.
In 2007 Goodwill Industries employed more than 500 people in San Diego County.
At least 51% of our employees are people with disabilities.
Goodwill owns and operates 10 retail stores, one bookstore, and a facility in San Ysidro housing 2 outlet departments, a furniture department, a retail and wholesale book department, and daily auctions.
Goodwill retail stores and donation centers are open 362 days a year.
Goodwill created over 60 full time jobs through the placing of donation centers at Park and Rides, Trolley Stations and other convenient locations.
The Supported Employment Program is designed for those with more significant barriers and provides more comprehensive support to the participants to give them the opportunity to be successful on the job.
Four Goodwill Employment Centers (formerly Goodwill WORKs): offer FREE employment assistance for job seekers at all levels of job-readiness both at Goodwill and at other businesses.
Goodwill's Business Services department oversees the operation of eBay and amazon.com stores.
Goodwill's Secure Document Destruction department offers shredding services to individuals and businesses for a fee.
Goodwill is a State of California certified "collector" of electronic waste and we sell or recycle CRT's (Computers and televisions).
In 2006, of the approximately 22,350,600 pounds of donated materials Goodwill expects to receive in donated goods, 19,180,000 pounds will be diverted from the landfill through retail and salvage sales. In addition we received and recycled 367,869 lbs. of CRTs, 34,667 lbs. of electronic waste, 206,260 pounds of scrap metal, and 2,010 mattresses.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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| Good Turn Days in the 1950s |
Goodwill is very fortunate to have an active board of directors who have dedicated thousands of hours to establishing policies to ensure that we are able to achieve our purpose. Their guidance has allowed us to grow and prosper, serving thousands of San Diegans through our programs and services over the years.
EMPLOYEES
We use the money generated by the sale of donated goods to hire and train people with disabilities. In addition to physical or mental disabilities, the barriers our participants face can be as simple as a lack of previous work experience, limited or outdated work skills, housewives re-entering the job market, senior citizens, and people with limited English language skills. Almost one-quarter of the employees in our retail stores are Goodwill Supported Employment participants who are paid while learning "on the job".
GOODWILL DONORS - MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN
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| Donation Pick Up in the early days |
Donors play a key role in Goodwill Industries' ability to fulfill its purpose. Of our total income, 96% comes from retail sales and salvage recycling operations. The collection, processing, and sale of donated goods provides full and part time jobs for regular staff, and practical work experience and an opportunity to adjust to the demands of the workplace for our participants. 100% of public material donations remain in San Diego County, with 80% of the revenue generated by the resale of donated goods used for operating Goodwill programs and services in this region.
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