Donations Increase in 2019
Over 990,000 contributors donated to one of Goodwill’s donation centers. Donors contributed over 41 million pounds of clothing, shoes and household items, an increase of over 1 million pounds from the prior year.
Over 990,000 contributors donated to one of Goodwill’s donation centers. Donors contributed over 41 million pounds of clothing, shoes and household items, an increase of over 1 million pounds from the prior year.
89,151 pounds of computers and electronics components were collected through the Dell Computer Recycling Program.
Goodwill opened an e-commerce page with ShopGoodwill.com in 2016, the page had a fantastic second year delivering $2,430,790 in revenue in 2019. GIC ranked 14th of 132 Goodwill agencies that utilized shopgoodwill.com as their primary selling platform for e-commerce in total sales.
Goodwill’s car donation program remained strong in 2019, with over 278 cars collected.
1,784,723 million individuals shopped in our stores in 2019.
Goodwill was able to divert more than 24 million pounds of goods from going to landfills.
Goodwill staff provided basic services and referrals to organizations that provide 79,713 social support services to individuals in 2019. Goodwill provided case management services for participants seeking job preparation, skills training and/or placement services.
2,400 of our neighbors in Baltimore and Annapolis received a Thanksgiving meal and connections to 30+ community partners.
Over 9,800 hours of service were donated to Goodwill by volunteers throughout Central Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
Goodwill’s enrolled 522 candidates into the EMERGE program. 248 candidates were submitted for interviews for skilled opportunities. 92 were enrolled into skilled training and 92 were placed into skilled jobs, with an average starting wage of $16+/hour.
Training and counseling services were provided at the Social Security Administration, Fort Meade Army Post and the US Coast Guard. For the 18th consecutive year, Goodwill’s work was exemplary, rated with zero deductions for any deficiencies.
Goodwill continued to facilitate the Microsoft Technology Associates (MTA) certifications resulting in enrollment of 67 students in 2019, with 26 people successfully achieving up to four MTA certifications. 65% obtained employment with an average hourly wage of $19.21.
Goodwill satellite programs enrolled 169 participants in 2019 (Buena Alianza, Maryland Foodbank, and STEP), and achieved 233 placements for the year, with an average placement wage of $13.82.
In 2019, over 1,716 individuals were able to start on their path to self-sufficiency by finding employment through the help of Goodwill. The average earned wage for these individuals was $12.88, a new record for Goodwill graduates.
Goodwill’s SEETTS program, which assists ex-offenders with employment, training and transitional services, partnered with Maryland Legal Aid to provide expungement services with Goodwill. In 2019, 180 persons were served and 423 cases expunged.
Goodwill’s Executive Team continues to meet with legislators to try and open Goodwill’s first Excel Center, an adult high school that would allow participants to earn their diplomas.
Goodwill’s Community Support Program, providing support to organizations and individuals who may need temporary assistance, provided vouchers for clothing to 220 individuals and organizations in 2019 for a total of $15,000.
In 2019, Goodwill hosted 57 hiring events with local employers. Hundreds of participants were able to connect with employers looking to hire in our own community.
Our donors have contributed 40,590,328 pounds of donated goods.
We’ve diverted 24,090,870 pounds of donated goods from landfills.
In 2019, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. celebrated 100 years in Maryland. Founded in 1919, Goodwill is known for its retail stores and donation centers that fund job training programs for those with barriers to employment.
The Baltimore Goodwill Industries was started by Reverend John S. German and a group of prominent civic leaders. The first factory was in the Fellowship Hall of Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church. Two employees were hired to stencil and fold burlap bags for the collection of reclaimable household goods, which could then be sold. Proceeds from these collections would pay the workers, and thereby make the operation self-sustainable. The Baltimore Goodwill Industries was incorporated on February 27, 1919 and was the seventh Goodwill in the U.S. with a first year budget of $2,625.
Goodwill’s collection efforts grew dramatically over the course of thirty years. Household collection bags were supplemented by donation drives led by the Boy and Girl Scouts, and Goodwill boxes were placed throughout the metropolitan area to keep up with the growing demand for collection services. Later, Goodwill reached out to local communities with mobile donation centers staffed by Goodwill employees. These donation centers, and the retail stores they supplied, soon became synonymous with the name “Goodwill.”
In 1948, Goodwill’s commitment to helping others took a giant step forward with a vocational training program, established jointly by both state and federal agencies. By 1955, the program was certified as a non-public vocational training facility (among Maryland’s first), and nearly 200 disabled individuals had been prepared to join the ranks of independent citizens. Around the same time, Goodwill accepted the first of many contracts to provide industrial services to local businesses. Such contracts fulfilled dual needs, providing companies with top quality workers, and providing gainful employment to individuals with severe disabilities. With the establishment of a vocational training facility and the creation of formal business relationships with local companies, Goodwill’s commitment to the disadvantaged of Baltimore continued to move the company forward.
As the needs of the community changed, Goodwill services have changed as well. Today, Goodwill is committed to serving those with the least access to employment opportunities through a continuum of workforce development services which last year included providing job readiness classes, and case management to address housing, transportation, education, child care opportunities, and any other barrier they may encounter. Obviously none of this is possible without employer partners and many human services organizations throughout Baltimore. In 1999, Goodwill moved its headquarters to the current location at 222 East Redwood Street to be more accessible to public transportation and better serve participants.
Throughout 2019, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake celebrated its 100th anniversary with its many supporters across the state of Maryland. On October 19, 2019, Goodwill hosted a gala celebration. The evening event at Montgomery Park offered guests an opportunity to experience the impact of our mission and celebrate the people and organizations that have been a part of this journey.
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Once you see how Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. can change a life, you’ll never doubt that your support is worthwhile. Making a financial gift through our secure server is fast and easy. Goodwill is a 501c(3) non-profit and cash gifts are tax-deductible, as provided by law. Help us create jobs and change lives.