Goodwill San Antonio Celebrates 70th Anniversary

23 Oct 2015, 12:18 PM EDT

For 70 years, Goodwill has helped to change lives through the power
of work

SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Goodwill Industries of San Antonio is celebrating 70 years of helping
individuals change their lives through the power of work in San Antonio
and the surrounding communities.

Through job training, education and career services, Goodwill helps
people find jobs and prepares them to build careers. On Thursday,
October 22, Goodwill celebrated with 250 of their community friends and
shared the impact of their collective work on lives.

Goodwill President and CEO, Marla Jackson, stated, “Goodwill remains
committed to our mission to help change lives through the power of work.
We understand the diverse needs in our communities and we are committed
to building lives, families and communities, one career at a time, by
helping people discover their gifts and strengths through work,
education and career services.”

In total last year, Goodwill served 51,605 individuals at their Good
Careers Centers and placed 2,154 people in competitive jobs. Goodwill is
also one of the largest employers of service-disabled veterans in the
State of Texas. In 2014, their Contract Services unit employed more than
450 individuals, 87% of whom have a significant disability. This number
includes 102 veterans, 81 of whom are service-disabled.

During the 70th celebration, featuring keynote speaker Bexar County
Judge Nelson Wolff and emcee Randy Beamer of News 4 San Antonio,
Goodwill honored several individuals for their outstanding contributions
and partnerships with Goodwill and the community.

Recipients of the Bill Sinkin Partnership Award were Anthony Hargrove,
CEO of the Ella Austin Community Center, for partnering to open a Good
Careers Center in the heart of San Antonio’s Eastside Promise Zone;
Lytle High School Counselor Catherine Hoffman, who initiated the high
school program in Lytle High School with Goodwill; and Johnny Vahalik
of North East Independent School District, who quickly expanded the
Goodwill high school program to three high schools within North East
ISD.
Rob Glenn, past Board Chair of Goodwill, received the Jim Matson
Inspiration Award. This distinguished award recognizes an individual
who has made a notable impact on Goodwill. Under Glenn’s leadership as
Board Chair, Goodwill San Antonio launched training classes for
students in local high schools that help students enter the workforce
through skills training certification classes, such as Pharmacy
Technician and Certified Nurse’s Aides. Now, more than 100 students in
seven high schools have earned a trade certification in addition to
their high school diploma, giving them a marketable skill where they
can begin earning a sustainable wage post-graduation.

Founded in 1945 by William “Bill” Sinkin and a handful of local
community leaders, Goodwill has remained constant in their mission to
help individuals overcome barriers and improve their lives. Starting
with a simple shoe repair factory in 1946, over the years Goodwill has
expanded and strengthened their delivery of services and now provides
thousands of people each year with training, education, employment and
other support services through their Good Careers Academies, Good
Careers Centers, Contract Services and the Veterans Resource and Career
Center.

To learn more about the positive impact Goodwill has made in San Antonio
and surrounding communities, visit www.goodwillsa.org.

About Goodwill Industries of San Antonio

Serving San Antonio since 1945, Goodwill San Antonio is a Section
501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise that helps change lives through
the power of work. When you shop or donate at Goodwill, you’re funding
education, training and services to prepare people to find better jobs
and build careers in diverse companies throughout the communities we
serve. Together with the support of our generous community, partners and
employers, Goodwill provides employment and related services to more
than 50,000 individuals each year in South Central Texas. In addition to
operating 19 retail stores, 34 donation stations and 13 Good Careers
Centers in San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, New Braunfels, Seguin and
surrounding areas, Goodwill operates three Good Careers Academies and
manages 16 contracts for the U.S. government for services ranging from
document management to grounds maintenance.