Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

Jerry Davis,
CEO and President

Friends of Goodwill,

Thank you for your patronage of our mission in 2011. If not for Goodwill, over 1,800 Central Texans who were challenged by a disability, homelessness, a criminal record, limited education, or other barriers would not have found work. Like our founder, the Rev. Edgar J. Helms, we believe that no person and no donation lack value. We have given second chances to both since 1958 with great success, thanks to you.

The cumulative impact of the salaries of those new workers and Goodwill employees, not to mention the local merchants from whom we purchase everything from utilities to paper towels, approaches $100,000,000. As the region’s 30th largest employer, nearly $1 of every $100 in General Merchandise Sales is spent at a Goodwill store. Dozens of new jobs were added to our economy in 2011 and another 40-50 will occur in 2012, with a heavy emphasis on the professionals who provide our Mission Services. With the advent of a first ever 10-year Strategic Plan, our aim is to lower the unemployment rate with permanent solutions to the problem faced by the four groups I mentioned in the first paragraph. I encourage you to attend a 60-minute presentation called The Real Goodwill to learn more. Find a time that fits your schedule by clicking the icon on the first page of our website. Keep in mind that it usually “sells out,” though there is no fee.

One of the most popular questions I field regularly is “Which store do you work in?” We do love our stores. The unique way they fund our mission and provide training/jobs/careers at the same time distinguishes Goodwill from most charities. About 700 of our 1,300 employees work in our Outlet Store, the gwBoutique, Computer Works, the 5 Book Store-Donation Centers, and the regular 20 stores stretching from Fredericksburg to San Marcos. You’ve probably noticed that the modern Goodwill Store caters to everyone, not just people on a tight budget. It’s a cool place to shop for hidden treasures. But we do other cool things in more places than you probably imagine.

We have other operations that work the same way as the stores, i.e., they have a dual purpose, as well. In 2011, we employed 150 people in 60 locations through our staffing company, Goodwill Staffing. It’s the 7th largest staffing company in Austin. Our 102-person Commercial Services operation specializes in custodial and mailroom processes. You’ll find them in 30 locations across six counties. The Goodwill Staffing Group mostly works with state and other government bodies. Goodwill also manages a Blue Solutions, Inc. who does the same type of work as Commercial Services, but in local federal facilities with 33 employees working at Camp Mabry and the IRS. Rounding out the dual purpose operations is Environmental Business Solutions which employs 32 people at our new 124,000 square foot Goodwill Resource Center near Bergstrom Airport. If you were ever amazed by an anthill as a child, schedule a visit to the GRC and watch the magic happen. It’s a well orchestrated dance starring our fleet of trucks, e-commerce book and “treasure” sales, recycling of millions of pounds of everything imaginable, and a fantastic Mission Services operation. We are especially proud that the eastside Workforce Solutions One-Stop center will be joining us there in March, creating the most powerful employment operation in Austin.

Another popular question I get is, “Does everyone who gets a job work at Goodwill?” The answer is, “Nope.” In fact, most do not. That is because people seeking job services are just like you. Their ideas about their careers are similar to very few others’ on the planet. We employ 92 Specialists in our Mission Services division at 29 locations in four counties to help address those personal goals.

Our first rule is this: we provide services where services are needed. You’ll find us at the ARCH, Caritas, Safeplace, and the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del Valle. But you’re also likely to find us in our Round Rock store or a strip mall on South Lamar so that more people who need us have access to us. Expect more Mission Services in 2012 (come to The Real Goodwill and learn about our plans!).

The 14,046 people Goodwill helped in 2011 received 59,514 job-related services from a paid staff, something that is also unique among non profits. Make no mistake; we are led by one of the best volunteer Board of Directors in the country. Their talent is impressive and their influence is far-reaching. Click on the “About Us” tab to see the roster of Chair Mark Finger’s colleagues. As we bid farewell to Joe Farmer, Mel Greene and Michael Pearson on May 31st after 9 years of service, I applaud their leadership. Because of them, and you, and Central Texas employers, we are together beating down unemployment among those with the most significant challenges in Central Texas. Again, thank you for your patronage.

Gerald L. Davis, President & CEO
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

President's Message