Goodwill To Host Open House At Newly Expanded Opportunity Center In East Brainerd

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area (GIGCA) will host an open house at their newly expanded Opportunity Center in East Brainerd on Thursday, October 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Goodwill Opportunity Center is located at 7601 East Brainerd Road, Suite 121, next to the Goodwill store and Donation Xpress.

The open house will feature tours of the center, light refreshments and a meet and greet with Goodwill mission services team members.

The Goodwill store in East Brainerd was destroyed by a tornado in April 2020. It reopened with the addition of a Job Connection Center in 2021. The center was recently expanded, remodeled and renamed the Goodwill Opportunity Center – East Brainerd.

“We are excited to share our newly expanded Opportunity Center with the community during our upcoming open house,” said Rachel Inman, Senior Director of Mission Services. “Our free career services are available to anyone in the community. When someone enters one of our centers, whether they are experiencing challenges of physical or developmental disabilities, previous justice system involvement or limited education or work history, our mission services team provides person-centered services that promote individual growth and self-sufficiency.”

Since 1923, GIGCA has helped people receive the training and support they need to find competitive jobs in our community. Goodwill Opportunity Centers are located in East Brainerd, Chattanooga and Dalton. Free services offered at Goodwill Opportunity Centers include career assessments, career and job search support, employment readiness assistance, digital skills training, financial and nutritional education, on-site job coaching, resume and interview preparation and access to on-site resource and career fairs.

Revenue from the sale of goods at Goodwill’s 16 area stores, remains local and funds employment and training programs to help people in the community overcome barriers to advance their careers. Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area provides education, training and employment for people in a 23-county region in Tennessee and Georgia. Visit www.goodwillchatt.org to learn more.

Photo caption: Goodwill Opportunity Center – East Brainerd offers free career services and is located next to the Goodwill Store and Donation Xpress.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE GREATER CHATTANOOGA AREA

Since 1923, Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area has helped people with barriers to employment get the training and support they need to find competitive jobs in the community. Barriers may include physical and developmental disabilities or other disadvantages such as a lack of formal education or a long absence from employment.

When you shop or donate to Goodwill, you are helping people in your community turn their potential into opportunity. Visit www.goodwillchatt.org to learn more.

Goodwill is an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is a member agency of Goodwill Industries International and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Goodwill is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and serves 23 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

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Katie's Success

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“I identify with Goodwill’s guiding principle that says, ‘Every time we touch a donation, something good should happen,’” said Katie, Goodwill Learning and Development Training Coordinator. For Katie, this “something good” is reflected not only in her own career growth, but in the success of the Goodwill team members she now trains. Before working at Goodwill, Katie earned a degree in animal science and worked in several industries, including food services. After she and her family moved from Kentucky to the Chattanooga area, she stayed at home to care for her two children for several years. When she decided to return to the workforce, she faced a familiar challenge that many caregivers encounter: a gap in employment and uncertainty about where to begin. “My mom is a store associate at a Goodwill in Kentucky, and she told me about all the wonderful opportunities there,” said Katie. “I thought since it is such a great thing, maybe I could be a part of it too.” Katie applied for a position at the Goodwill store and donation center in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Recognizing her potential, Christy, the Director of Retail Operations, offered her a shift lead position with clear opportunities for growth. Later, Katie was promoted to Assistant Manager and then she was promoted to the Store Manager position at our new, much larger Fort Oglethorpe store. While enjoying store leadership, Katie found herself drawn back to a skill she discovered earlier in her career, training others. “When I worked in food services, I realized how much I enjoyed teaching and helping people grow. When I saw the Goodwill Learning and Development Training Coordinator job posting, it was truly an ‘aha’ moment.” Katie now serves as our Learning and Development Training Coordinator and says the role feels like a perfect fit. She shared, “I’ve found my passion again.” When you donate or shop at Goodwill, you’re doing more than decluttering or finding a great deal; you’re investing in people like Katie. Your support fuels career pathways and leadership development right here in our community. Our mission is to help people transform potential into opportunity, and our vision is a community where everyone can thrive. It’s more than Goodwill; it’s good work.

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