Goodwill Industries of Kansas (Wichita, KS)
For more than 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Kansas has been a trusted resource and advocate for people with disabilities. Various programs for people with developmental disabilities have grown to include job training and life skills development, community employment and internship programs, and targeted case management.
Throughout the years, Goodwill has evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of the people we serve. Local leadership acknowledged another pervasive barrier to employment – lack of education. Over the years, thousands of people have started a career after earning their GED, college credits, technical certificates or learning English through NexStep Alliance, a partnership between Goodwill and WSU Tech.
Today Goodwill Industries of Kansas serves more than 1,500 individuals annually and employs nearly 600 people through its headquarters, education center and 18 retail store locations throughout central and western Kansas. Through a combination of efforts; retails stores, work contracts, community donations and special events, Goodwill is able to provide employment training and opportunities to individuals with disabilities and employment barriers in our community.
While Goodwill Industries has an amazing history and record of accomplishment, we cannot be satisfied while so many still need our services. Internationally the organization has embarked on the 21st Century Initiative and seeks to improve the economic self-sufficiency of 20 million people and their families by 2020. Locally, new programs are being evaluated and added as the leadership and board recognize changing needs in the community. Times have changed, but Helms’ vision remains constant: “We have courage and are unafraid. With the prayerful cooperation of millions of our bag contributors and of our workers, we will press on till the curse of poverty and exploitation is banished from mankind.
Mission:
Goodwill Industries of Kansas, Inc.’s mission is to provide opportunities to people with disabilities and barriers to employment seeking independent and productive lives.
Goodwill works to fulfill its mission through a number of services to the community serving two populations: those with developmental disabilities and those with other employment barriers. Part of an international brand, Goodwill locations across the globe are operated and led autonomously based on community need – but all use the power of work to provide purpose, pride and dignity to those they serve.