Goodwill celebrates 100 years in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Goodwill is celebrating 100 years of local service. They currently have 15 locations in the Chattanooga area. 

“We started 100 years ago in the Chattanooga area and throughout these 100 years, we have been making sure people have what they need to be successful, survive, thrive,” said Emily McHenry, Chief Mission Integration Officer for Goodwill. “We help people train to get jobs, advance in their career, and program participants. As well as our employees.”

Reverend Edgar J. Helms had the idea for the first Goodwill in Boston, Massachusetts in 1902. His plan was to fight poverty with trade skills and provide work for the poor, unemployed, and disabled. 

“We make sure that not only other agencies but as well as our employees get the benefit of a higher and diverse population,” McHenry said. “We work with people with disabilities. Having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t work, it just means you can in a different way.”

Last year, Goodwill moved into its new 77,000 square foot Opportunity Campus in Chattanooga. 

It includes state-of-the-art computer labs and training programs to support services for Goodwill’s more than 300 local employees. 

“We are looking at each individual as a person who has a unique set of challenges, but also a unique set of skills and successful traits so everyone who comes through our programs is evaluated on what they need,” said McHenry. “We connect them with different providers in the area to make sure that they have those resources.” 

As Goodwill celebrates 100 years in Chattanooga, they plan to keep changing lives through the power of work and sustainability.

“All of the proceeds from all of our stores go to making sure our mission is funded. We are helping people not just turn things from their homes and their closets and things into opportunities for a new life for that thing, also for people to have new lives and new opportunity.”

Those seeking more information can visit Goodwill website

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