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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Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is pleased to announce Jim Bartoo as its new Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, joining the organization’s senior leadership team as Goodwill continues to grow its presence and mission impact across the region. A Chattanooga native, Bartoo brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong background in brand development, strategic fundraising, community engagement and storytelling. His career includes senior leadership roles with zoological organizations in Nashville and Columbus, Ohio, as well as earlier experience in television news production in Chattanooga. “Jim has spent his career connecting people to organizations and causes that matter,” said Gena Weldon, President and CEO of Goodwill Chattanooga. “His ability to build relationships, tell meaningful stories and bring people together around a shared purpose makes him a tremendous addition to our leadership team. As Goodwill continues to grow, we want to make sure our community understands not only what we do, but the impact made possible every day through their support.” As Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, Bartoo will lead an integrated approach to marketing, communications, public relations, philanthropy, advocacy and community engagement. He will focus on strengthening Goodwill’s relationships throughout the community, growing philanthropic support and more clearly connecting the organization’s retail operations with the mission they help make possible. A key part of that work will be telling the “story behind the store,” how donating and shopping at Goodwill help create opportunities for people through employment, training, education and other mission services. “I’m excited to return to my hometown and join an organization that has been part of this community for more than a century,” said Bartoo. “Goodwill has an incredible story to tell, and I look forward to helping more people understand the impact their donations, purchases, partnerships and philanthropic support can have in the lives of people throughout our region.” Bartoo’s appointment comes as Goodwill continues to expand its mission impact and capabilities across its 23-county service area in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. For more than a century, Goodwill Chattanooga has worked to help people transform potential into opportunity, creating pathways to greater independence, employment, education and economic opportunity.
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