News

Goodwill’s “street credibility” may be on the rise since two of our trucks were adorned with a modern and eye-catching look in January.

Due to the slumping economy causing hundreds of thousands of people to lose their jobs in 2008, Goodwill of Central Arizona's Workforce Development services are in higher demand than ever before. The Goodwill of Central Arizona team served almost 23,000 individuals last year more than doubling its outreach from 2007.

For the fourth year in a row, Goodwill of Central Arizona volunteers collected runners discarded clothing during the annual P.F. Changs Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, held on Jan. 18. Our volunteer team sprinted after the runners for the first two miles to collect a large assortment of great gear from many different designers, including: scarfs, warm-up jackets; mittens; t-shirts and hoodies.

PHOENIX (December 10, 2008) — As more Arizonans look for employment opportunities, the demand for Goodwill of Central Arizona’s 36 human services programs continues to increase. These programs, which are the foundation of its commitment to Put People to Work, help individuals with vocational barriers find work and become independent. The organization, which has served more than 2,000 Arizona youth and adults in 2008, is making it easier to help others this holiday season.

Goodwill operates a used auto lot – GoodWheels Auto Sales!

GoodWheels Auto Sales takes in donated vehicles and resells them to the community – with an honest assessment, a clean title AND at bargain prices. So if you’re in the market for a second vehicle – or perhaps looking for a “starter” car for that newly licensed teenager in your house – GoodWheels Auto Sales may have a vehicle for you!

Goodwill of Central Arizona was the award recipient of Arizona Business Magazine and the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits’ first-ever Social Enterprise Award. This award was given to Goodwill on Dec. 2 as part of the inaugural Nonprofit and Corporate Responsibility Awards Campaign. The goal of this new campaign is to honor those professionals and organizations that continue to make a positive impact on the community and do so under difficult financial constraints while also recognizing the efforts of corporations, like American Express, who support nonprofits.

PHOENIX (November 25, 2008) — Goodwill of Central Arizona’s job training and employment programs for Arizona youth and adults are needed more than ever in this time of economic uncertainty. These programs are primarily funded through Goodwill’s retail thrift stores. However, Arizona taxpayers can help fund these vital community programs by paying part of their tax liability directly to Goodwill.

In November 2008, Goodwill of Central Arizona launched a completely redesigned version of our Website – goodwillaz.org!

Our Website is Goodwill of Central Arizona’s most important marketing, advertising and communication tool. It provides vital information about our organization to the public 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We felt it was necessary to enhance and update the Website in order to provide the most accurate and helpful information about Goodwill to the community.

PHOENIX (November 11, 2008) — Too often the season of giving turns into the season of ‘getting’ – especially for children. This holiday season, in central Arizona, children can begin learning what it feels like to give back to their local community. This first-of-its-kind partnership between toymaker, Learning Curve Brands, Inc. and Goodwill Industries is called the Carton of Caring® Donation Program. The program encourages charitable giving during the holidays, an important lesson of sharing and compassion that is never too early to learn.

PHOENIX (October 28, 2008) — Goodwill of Central Arizona, a nonprofit committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to employment, announced today that it received one of 66 grants provided through the U.S. Department of Education’s Projects With Industry (PWI) program. Goodwill’s grant, in the amount of $955,000, will be utilized over five years to help advance the occupational opportunities for individuals with documented disabilities throughout central Arizona.