Ever wondered how your donations make a difference?
When you think of Goodwill, the first things that likely come to mind are thrift stores and donated goods.
But, have you ever thought of a person overcoming homelessness through work training and education? Or imagined a neighbor with disabilities finding success and self-sufficiency in their first full-time job? Would you ever envision people in your community going from minimum wage to salaried work through career development and coaching?
This giving season, it’s our hope that you’ll think of these amazing life changes you make possible - because it’s what makes your giving so important.
So, how exactly do you make a difference? We’ll explain…
Because of you, Nathan found his (first-ever!) full-time job at Alabama Goodwill. We are proud to employ individuals of all abilities thanks to your support!
You create jobs.
When you drop off your donated goods, they are immediately processed, priced, and sorted by our team members. These team members you meet may be overcoming barriers themselves, and entering or re-entering the workforce for the first time. In 2020 alone, we were able to employ over 500 Alabamians internally thanks to the generosity of our donors and shoppers.
Our full-time and part-time positions are generously paid roles that enable individuals to reach independence through work. In most cases, Alabama Goodwill is a first stop, or stepping stone to career growth and other opportunities.
Your support empowers individuals overcoming financial barriers through our A-RESET program. Pictured above are women overcoming homelessness attending our curriculum.
Birmingham City Schools high school students with significant disabilities receive work-based learning and career exploration services to equip and empower them for work after graduation.
2. You provide services.
After our team members sort, process and price your donated goods for sale in our thrift stores, the revenue your goods generate goes on to directly fund services in north and central Alabama communities. On average, it costs Alabama Goodwill an estimated $556 per individual to provide weeks of coaching, learning, and experiences that lead to sustainable, gainful employment. Because of you, 100% of our services are made completely free of charge to clients and participants.
A few of our community services include:
A-RESET Program: Our A-RESET program is designed with food stamp benefit recipients in mind. In partnership with Alabama’s United Way agencies, our A-RESET program empowers individuals seeking to find employment or better employment through education, training and coaching. Through your generosity, participants are in our program for a minimum of 90 days!
Career Development Services: Your support also enables us to offer career development services completely free of charge to Alabamians in need. These services include things like interview skills preparation, certifications, resume help, and job placement assistance. These services are completely free of charge to all we serve, thanks to you!
Career Center appointments and trainings: In our Career Center, we’re able to host education trainings, job fairs and more for our community. Thanks to you, our career center and computer training areas are available by appointment and completely free of charge for community members.
Student Exploration and Work-Based Learning: We partner with Alabama schools to provide students with significant disabilities the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore jobs. Through a 12-week program, they learn about on-the-job skills, digital skills, and eventually work alongside our team to train in various positions. This helps empower them to find and be hired into opportunities after graduation!
3. You change lives.
“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you can feed him for a lifetime.”
When you donate, shop or support Alabama Goodwill financially, you provide life change and stability through the power of work.
While we track and measure significant job placement, coaching sessions and program statistics, what we cannot measure is perhaps the most valuable difference you make - generational change and life-altering opportunity. We may never know the full extent to which your donations and purchases touch the lives of others, but they’re the ones that matter most.
Thank you for choosing Alabama Goodwill Industries. We value your support and the difference it’s making in the lives of Alabamians every day!
To learn more about giving and how to get involved, visit alabamagoodwill.org/get-involved.