Dear Friends of Goodwill,
2023 was a truly memorable year for Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. After years of preparation and planning, The Excel Center opened in September of 2023. The Excel Center is a high school for individuals 21+ that provides the opportunity and support to earn a high school diploma, begin post-secondary education, and access training programs that lead to careers.
It is estimated that over 81,000 adults in Baltimore City do not have…
…a high school diploma and The Excel Center was greeted with immediate interest from the community. On opening day, 135 students had enrolled. The goal is to eventually serve 350 students a semester. Through the Adult High School, students will obtain a skills credential, access case management, needed resources, and free childcare services. To support the school, Goodwill’s former headquarters in Baltimore City was remodeled and modernized to accommodate a thriving student population.
Overall, our Workforce Development staff provided over 56,000 services to 1,571 individuals! We placed 1,205 into jobs with an average wage of $16.80. Programs included Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship, Certified Nursing Assistant Training, Flagger Certification Training, Pharmacy Technician Certification Training, and ServSafe Certification Training.
As part of our efforts to continue investing in employees, we launched our Talent Development Program, which focuses on supporting employees with professional development, case management support, and financial coaching. The goal of the Talent Development Program is to increase the retention of entry-level employees while assisting them to achieve their professional/vocational goals.
Ultimately, donations from the public sold in our Retail stores fund our organizational efforts. In 2023, there were over 617,085 donation transactions, which accounted for over 40 million pounds of donated goods. Additionally, there were over 1.6 million shopping transactions in 2023, which showed 8% growth in retail sales from the year prior.
In 2024, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake is expanding our commitment to the environment and increasing our responsibility as stewards of public donations. For the first time nationally, three regional Goodwills are combining our efforts and leveraging our collective reach and resources to make a tangible impact on the environment. The Goodwill collaborative includes Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Goodwill of Greater Washington, and Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County.
With a focus on people, the planet, and prosperity, our three Goodwill organizations are pursuing opportunities to convert used textiles into raw materials and new fabrics, shred plastic, and implode glass into raw materials that can be sold to existing domestic markets.
Thank you to all of our donors, shoppers, supporters, partners, volunteers, board, and staff for your continued support as we continue to expand our efforts across Central Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
Highlights
By the Numbers 2023
[1]Preliminary, Unaudited
Our donors have contributed an astounding 40,000,000+ lbs of goods.
We’ve recycled over 17,000,000 pounds of goods & diverted more than 23,000,000 pounds of donated goods from landfills.
Success Stories
After leaving the US Marine Corps, Mr. Candia encountered challenges in pursuing his dream field, radiology. He joined Goodwill’s Buena Alianza Program in late 2021 and crafted a resume, securing a role as a camp counselor. Simultaneously, with the guidance of his Buena Alianza Case Manager, he diligently pursued a career in the medical field. Completing Goodwill’s Job Readiness/Digital Skills Training Program, supported by Operation Achieve’s stipend, he charted a path to a one-year apprenticeship in Surgical Technology. Despite a six-month wait due to application availability, Mr. Candia applied, excelled in the entry tests, and commenced his Surgical Tech Apprenticeship in October 2022. Upon graduating, Mr. Candia not only achieved his role as a Surgical Technologist but also made history as both the first Goodwill participant selected for the program, and the first apprenticeship student to be placed on the prestigious Cardiac Team immediately after graduation. In recognition of his outstanding work, he received a raise within just four months. Poised to further his ambitions, Mr. Candia is planning to gain valuable experience in the field before pursuing a medical education to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor.
Daunessy Penn wanted to create a stable future for herself. She had been interested in the CNA/GNA Program for some time, but didn’t think she would be able to afford it. One day, Daunessy was having a conversation with a Lyft driver and mentioned her interest in the program. The driver told her that, in fact, Goodwill would cover all the cost and she almost couldn’t believe it! “That one exchange changed my life!” – Daunessy Penn
Locations
Click on a marker on the map to view our retail store locations:
Donate Today!
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.
Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.
3700 Koppers St, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21227
