WHAT'S NEW AT GOODWILL Houston
Join Beyoncé + Goodwill: Transform Lives FOR GOOD
Goodwill Houston Shoe History
Goodwill® and Walmart Foundation Help Veterans Find Jobs in Houston
Operation: GoodJobs program offers individualized, holistic approach that helps veterans find employment, advance in their careers and ensure long-term financial stability for their families.
HOUSTON, May 14, 2012— Goodwill Industries® of Houston is one of three Goodwill agencies in the country selected to participate in a pilot program to empower military veterans with the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace and permanently support their families. Funded by a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation, and administered by Goodwill Industries International, Operation: GoodJobs assists veterans with job training and placement, but also plans for each participant’s continued success by designing individualized, holistic plans that encompass the needs of their entire families, helping ensure their long-term financial stability.
More than 20 million men and women in the United States are veterans. As the military works to withdraw troops from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) — two conflicts that represent the longest-running military engagements in U.S. history — the need for a continuum of coordinated, integrated services for veterans and their families is at an all-time high. The stubbornly bleak job market translates to an especially high unemployment for veterans, especially those ages 18 to 24, who face an unemployment rate of 20 percent — more than twice the national average. Read More
Goodwill Industries® of Houston proudly announces the opening of its first Goodwill Select Store, Attended Donation Center, and Job Connection Center this year-- “The Heights” at 215 West 20th, Houston, TX 77008. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The store can be reached at 713.970.1782.
Goodwill Houston’s Select Stores feature designer brand family clothing, shoes, housewares, collectibles, furniture, baby items, linens, toys and more. Each store accepts gently used donated items through its in-store attended donation center. All Goodwill Houston stores and attended donation centers accept unwanted computers and will refurbish or recycle them for free. Receipts are given for all material donations and gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Including the “Heights” store, Goodwill Houston has 41 retail stores in Greater Houston and six Job Connection Centers. Goodwill Houston plans to open at least four additional Select Stores before the end of 2012 with each new store creating about 25 jobs. The organization is a 2011 “Winner of Distinction” for non-profits through the Better Business Bureau.
About Goodwill Industries of Houston
Goodwill Industries of Houston provides training, education and job opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, improving the lives of individuals, families and communities. Goodwill Houston strives to be the premier workforce development resource in greater Houston, based on the excellence of our people and our career services. For more information about store locations, programs and services, visit goodwillhouston.org, facebook.com/GoodwillHoustonOrg or call 713-692-6221.
_____________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries® of Houston Opens New Corporate Headquarters
On Monday, October 10, 2011 Goodwill Industries of Houston opened the doors to its new corporate headquarters located at 1140 West Loop North. Robust growth over the last few years brought about the need for the organization’s relocation to the 58,000 square foot facility that will be home base for one of Houston’s fastest growing non-profits. CB Richard Ellis represented Goodwill Industries® in the transaction and Senior Leasing Executive, Mary Jo Giammalva, represented the lessor Weingarten Realty. Read more
Goodwill Industries® of Houston Hires Kym King as Director of Public Relations and Community Affairs
HOUSTON, October 27, 2011— Goodwill Industries® of Houston recently hired veteran communicator, Kym King to head its newly created Public Relations and Community Affairs Department. King’s extensive background in communications, public affairs, government and community relations is complemented by two decades of non-profit leadership. She has served two City of Houston administrations as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and has been instrumental in shaping and directing communications for both The Independent Living Research Utilization program at TIRR, and the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities at Baylor College of Medicine. She served as a board member and advisor to numerous non-profit organizations. Read more
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries® of Houston Opens New Goodwill Select Store “League City” and Attended Donation Center
HOUSTON, 26 JULY 2011— Goodwill Industries® of Houston proudly announces the opening of its second Goodwill Select Store and Attended Donation Center this year-- “League City” at 229 West Main, League City, TX 77573. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The store can be reached at 713.970.1794.
Goodwill Houston’s Select Stores feature designer brand family clothing, shoes, housewares, collectibles, furniture, baby items, linens, toys and more. Each store accepts gently used donated items through its in-store attended donation center. All Goodwill Houston stores and attended donation centers accept unwanted computers and will refurbish or recycle them for free. Receipts are given for all material donations and gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Including “League City,” Goodwill Houston has 37 retail stores in Greater Houston with 26 of those opening since 2006. Goodwill Houston plans to open at least two additional Select Stores before the end of 2011 with each new store creating about 25 jobs. The organization is a 2011 “Winner of Distinction” for non-profits through the Better Business Bureau and has been named to the Houston Business Journal’s list of fastest growing companies two years in a row.
_____________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries® of Houston Awarded Over $1.4 Million to Support Recently Incarcerated Youth
HOUSTON, 6 JULY 2011 — Goodwill Industries® of Houston was recently awarded a $1.4 million dollar grant from the US Department of Labor to support young people transitioning from justice facilities to the workforce. The grant will fund the “Civic Justice Corps” program that helps formerly incarcerated individuals ages 18-24 reconnect with their communities through community service and educational opportunities.
The Civic Justice Corps program is now the second program offered by the non-profit focusing on youth and employment. Their first one, Training Young People for Jobs, connects out-of-school youth ages 14 to 21 with remedial education, vocational training, and job placement opportunities. According to President & CEO, Steve Lufburrow, “We consider it an honor and privilege to be able to work with the youth. For us, it is not an option to overlook the importance of this population as they are the future of our city and country.”
Goodwill Houston was one of 15 grant recipients and the only Goodwill nationwide awarded the grant. Although much of the grant will focus on service opportunities for youth, it will also offer postsecondary education and training, career development and post program support.
_______________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries® of Houston Partners with Recyclebank to Offer Discounts to Donors
HOUSTON, 14 APRIL 2011— Goodwill Industries® of Houston has teamed up with Recyclebank®, the company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from local and national businesses, to offer an additional incentive for Goodwill donors. The promotion kicked off Tuesday and is available at all 80 donation centers across Houston and surrounding areas.
Goodwill is pleased to present its donors with another reason to think green while donating. Through May 7th, or until promotional material runs out, all Goodwill Houston donors will receive a card they can redeem for points toward discounted online products at Recyclebank.com/Goodwill. Goodwill donors who are not already a member of the Recyclebank rewards program will be prompted to register at no cost. As a Recyclebank member, residents can redeems points earned from Goodwill donations for rewards from hundreds of local and national businesses in categories like automotive, beauty and health, beverages, entertainment, food and grocery, restaurants, sports and recreation, and more.
According to the Vice President of Operations at Goodwill, Charles Canton, “We are proud to partner with Recyclebank and to offer this promotion to our donors. It is important to Goodwill to not just celebrate Earth Day in April, but each and every day we are open for business.”
Being environmentally responsible is certainly no foreign concept to Goodwill as The Donate Movement, also known as D-Movement, challenges everyone on a day-to-day basis to donate responsibly and conscientiously. The core of Goodwill’s operations encourages individuals all over the city of Houston to both donate and shop to reduce the extra waste that is produced from buying new. Doing this not only makes for greener choices, but also helps Goodwill provide individuals with barriers to employment training, education and job opportunities.
In partnership with the City of Houston, Recyclebank first launched recycling rewards for Houston residents in March 2009 and has been rapidly expanding the program ever since. Recyclebank motivates residents to take everyday green actions, such as recycling household goods, by rewarding them with meaningful savings from local and national retailers, restaurants, pharmacies, grocers, and more. Houston is one of more than 300 communities across 30 states and the United Kingdom to use this innovative program to reward families for recycling and help bolster local businesses.
________________________________________________________
Goodwill ranks 41 on the Houston Business Journal’s list of fastest growing companies
Steven P. Lufburrow, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of Houston, displays his Fast 100 Award with Jon Beverly, Vice President, Business Banking, Whitney National Bank, presenting sponsor of the 2009 Houston Business Journal’s Fast 100 Awards.
For the second year in a row, Goodwill Industries® of Houston was named to the Houston Business Journal’s Fast 100 list, which honors 100 of the fastest growing companies within the ten-county Houston metropolitan area. The businesses are ranked according to their past 2-year growth and are required to be headquartered in the Houston area and be a minimum of five-years-old. The company surged to #41 on the list from #53 in 2008, based on a 59.5 percent revenue growth from 2006 to 2008. Goodwill Houston was the only nonprofit named to the list in 2008 and 2009.
“Making sure that we keep up with the demands that come with growth takes planning and execution,” said Steven P. Lufburrow, President and CEO of Goodwill Houston. “We have managed both extremely well by hiring the right team members who will take Goodwill to the next level of being a self-sustaining nonprofit.”
In May, Goodwill Houston was named a Winner of Distinction by the Better Business Bureau for its superior commitment to ethics, overall excellence, and quality in the workplace. Goodwill Houston opened five new retail stores in Greater Houston in 2008, and has opened three new stores this year so far, with plans to open four more before year’s end. Each new store creates about 25 new jobs and has revenue potential of $1 million per year.
_________________________________________________________
KBR Supports Goodwill Job Connection Center
Richard L. Jennings (center), KBR Senior Manager, Community Relations and Contributions, recently presented Steven P. Lufburrow (left), Goodwill Industries of Houston President and CEO, and William A. Sala, Goodwill Houston Workforce Development Vice President, with a $15,000 check in support of Goodwill’s Job Connection Center, located at 2030 Westheimer. Attached to the new River Oaks Goodwill Select Store, the center features employment specialists who will assist anyone looking for work. Goodwill Houston hopes to eventually offer job connection centers in other stores throughout Greater Houston.
________________________________________________________
Goodwill Houston Board Chair named Hometown Hero by Halliburton and the Houston Texans
Halliburton and the Houston Texans recently honored Bill Kacal as a Hometown Hero —a volunteer whose work has benefitted the greater Houston community.
Kacal is the deputy regional managing partner of Audit & Enterprise Risk Services for the Mid-America Region of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and currently serves as both the chairman of the board for Goodwill Industries® of Houston and the vice chairman for Goodwill Industries International’s board of directors.
“We are so proud of Bill and the impact he has had on Goodwill, both at the local and international level,” said Steven P. Lufburrow, president and CEO of the Houston Goodwill.
“He serves as a positive role model for all people and we are grateful that he continues to serve Goodwill Industries of Houston. We continue to be blessed with community partners like Halliburton and the Houston Texans.”
Halliburton contributed $1,000 to Goodwill Houston on behalf of Kacal to honor his volunteer community service with the organization. Kacal will also be recognized in the second quarter of the upcoming Houston Texans game against the Minnesota Vikings at Reliant Stadium on Monday, August 31.
_____________________________________________________________
Goodwill opens new Select Store in
The Woodlands
Goodwill Industries® of Houston proudly announces the grand opening of its Goodwill Select Store in The Woodlands, conveniently located and disability accessible at 501-B Sawdust Road, Spring, TX 77380. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. To reach the store, call 281-292-7928.
_____________________________________________________________
Goodwill featured at KBR booth during Houston's U.S. Independence Day Celebration
Goodwill Houston had a featured spot at the KBR booth during this year's Freedom Over Texas event July 4. Thanks to KBR for such great exposure to a large audience!
_____________________________________________________________
Tommy A. Moore, Jr. Elected to Goodwill Industries International Board of Directors
Tommy A. Moore, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc., is one of four private sector businessmen nationwide recently elected to the board of Goodwill Industries International (GII). Moore also serves as Treasurer/Vice Chair of the Board of Goodwill Industries of Houston.
_____________________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries of Houston Awarded $500,000 Veterans Employment and Training Grant from U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) has awarded Goodwill Industries of Houston a $500,000 grant to provide veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The program is specifically targeted at “recently separated” veterans who have left the service in the last four years — including those returning from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan to a difficult job market. Goodwill Houston is one of only 17 grant recipients throughout the country and the only Goodwill nationwide to receive a new VWIP grant this year.
_____________________________________________________________
Goodwill Industries of Houston Opens New Goodwill Select Store, Attended Donation Center, Job Connection in River Oaks
Goodwill Industries of Houston proudly announces the grand opening of its River Oaks Goodwill Select Store, conveniently located and disability accessible at 2030 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098 (near the intersection of Shepherd and Westheimer). Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. To reach the store, call 713-699-6393.
_____________________________________________________________
Goodwill Recycles 990 Tons of Computers, Creates Jobs
Goodwill Houston Computer Works Store celebrates first anniversary
As Goodwill Industries of Houston celebrates the first year of its Goodwill Houston Computer Works store (houstoncomputerworks.org), which sells discounted used computers and parts at 12230 Westheimer, it marks a milestone with its Reconnect program.
_____________________________________________________________