In 2020, Goodwill provided services to more than 63,000 people who needed assistance overcoming obstacles to success. During March, our Mission Services team transitioned to virtual programming and services to assist individuals safely during the COVID-19 crisis. Virtual Services allowed us to help more people with high unemployment and uncertainty during a very difficult time.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. New officers and new directors will lead the board in 2021. They provide critical support through guidance and fiduciary responsibilities. The board consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and represent the geographical regions served by the organization. In April, the board will welcome a new President & CEO after Bruce’s retirement.

In December 2020, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys announced a $10 million donation, as part of a historic gift, from MacKenzie Scott as explained in her blog article, 384 Ways to Help. The investment was received during a time when millions of Americans have been unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. This gift enables us to expand our direct efforts to equip individuals with the skills they need to get back to work, enter sustainable career paths, and gain independence.

2020 was different and challenging for so many people. Beginning in March, with the start of the pandemic, unemployment skyrocketed due to the shutdown. The Goodwill Mission Services team quickly changed our way of delivering job training and employment services. Previously, our services had been almost exclusively in-person, but within days, we launched Virtual Services. The online programming and services allowed us to continue helping individuals who lost their jobs, aid employers who were still hiring, and assist people to advance their skills so they will come through this crisis with expertise making them more employable. During 2020, Goodwill was able to serve over 63,000 people and helped individuals earn 6,321 credentials.

Dr. Wood first became a friend of Goodwill through his relationship with New Vision as a member of the organization’s board of directors, before it became a part of Goodwill. He continued to serve on its advisory committee after New Vision became a Goodwill program and now serves as Secretary of the Goodwill Board of Directors.

I found Goodwill in May 1974 at the age of 23. I graduated college in 1973 and took a year off to “find myself”. After working a series of manual labor jobs, I was introduced to Goodwill because a friend thought I’d find it more attractive than working in a factory. He was right.