Goodwill of Orange County

"Why do you sell items you get for free?” is a question we often hear. The answer is simple: to help those who need us most. The revenue made from our retail stores funds Goodwill of Orange County's programs that help people in the community. Here’s what we’ve achieved so far from January to June 2024: 💙 Connected 799 individuals with soft skills training; 79 of those individuals have earned their work ready skills certificate 💙 Achieved 327 job placements 💙 Placed 26 justice-impacted individuals into jobs 💙 Assisted 1,306 veterans and their family members through outreach support, employment, and case management 💙 Helped 41 veterans obtain competitive employment with an average wage of $29.17 and weekly hours of 37.64 💙 Provided more than $33,000 in emergency funds to veterans 💙 Achieved 69 work experience placements through volunteer opportunities, Employment Situational Assessments, and paid internships 💙 Provided 154 individuals with work-ready clothing attire through Willy’s Closet 💙 Helped 12,968 individuals access quality groceries, fresh fruit, and meals through The Good Market/El Buen Mercado! food pantry 💙 Provided assistive technologies to 114 children and adults 💙 Assisted 455 persons with disabilities with community integration activities 💙 Helped 377 individuals with disabilities remain actively employed through job coaching services 💙 Helped 30 justice impacted young adults with job preparation services and support 💙 Provided 4,444 Deaf Interpreting Services to 415 individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 💙 Helped 42 people understand and access their social security benefits as they returned to employment 💙 Provided career development services and personalized career navigation to 114 Goodwill of Orange County team members through our Career Pathways program For a century, Goodwill OC has been a cornerstone of support for the local community, dedicated to enhancing the lives of Orange County residents through comprehensive workforce development programs. Join us in furthering our impact in the community! #OCGoodwill #100YearsOfWorkingWonders

Remember dial-up internet and chunky cell phones? ☎️ In 1999, way ahead of the curve, Goodwill of Orange County launched ShopGoodwill.com - the FIRST online auction site created by a nonprofit! This innovative idea, born right here in Orange County, was more than just a shopping platform. It was a way to support our mission nationwide by providing an additional revenue stream for job training programs. Fast forward 20 years, and ShopGoodwill.com is still thriving! It's become a critical mission revenue generator for the entire Goodwill network, helping countless individuals learn job skills and find sustainable careers.

We're excited to have Nicole Suydam, President & CEO of Goodwill of Orange County, attending our Summit! Nicole will be a speaker in the roundtable conversation, "Doing the Hard Things and the Importance of Partnerships." Join Nicole and many other innovators on September 9th and 10th at the OCMA / Orange County Museum of Art for artistic entertainment, keynotes, roundtable conversations, and a private tour of the YSL exhibition. Click the link below for tickets and more information! https://lnkd.in/gmNnP5zW

Excitement is building for our upcoming Centennial Gala which is just one month away! Our headquarters is about to be transformed into a black-tie event space where we’ll roll out the blue carpet and cheers to 100 Years of Working Wonders. A huge thank you to all our incredible supporters and community partners who are helping us celebrate this milestone. You can still make an impact! Get inspired by Cynthia Q., Co-Chair from Southern California Edison (SCE), as she shares her personal journey, why our mission is so important to her, and how you can help more people find meaningful careers. 💼 Don’t hesitate—we still have program ad opportunities available to showcase your business at the event. 💼 Together, we’re building a brighter future! https://lnkd.in/g2sSs9GG #GoodwillCentennialGala #SoldOut #WorkforceDevelopment #SupportTheFuture #OrangeCounty #CommunityImpact #100YearsofWorkingWonders

Had an amazing visit today at Goodwill of Orange County with David S.! Didn't realize you could purchase from their online store or through a phone app. Check out all the amazing things they're doing for our community while providing meaningful career paths.

🎉 As we look back on 2023, we’re proud to share the impact we made together! From providing more than 30,000 people with career development support to keeping 93% of goods out of landfills, our work is driven by our mission to empower and uplift individuals in Orange County. Explore the full story behind these numbers and more in our 2023 Annual Report. 🌟

"Make sure you send him to The Bins," said Nicole Suydam as she, Julie Hudash and I had a coffee chat and talked about storytelling for non-profits in Orange County, and Nicole's unique role as CEO of Goodwill. Bins? My son had dropped me off for the meeting, and headed on to look for clothes and shoes to resell. Nicole wanted to make sure he went to 'The Marketplace' - a miraculous part of the Goodwill full-circle social innovation experience. "You can buy clothes by the pound!" She said, excitedly. I told him, and Julie and I followed along on 'The Tour' to hear story after story of how Goodwill creates powerful career opportunities for those who otherwise might not find consistent employment. It was an inspiring and synchronous experience: We wandered by The Bins an hour after I had dropped Izzy off and there he was, still digging. And as we followed the reuse chain from donation to store to bins to literally bales of clothing that will find creative reuse opportunities at home and abroad, Julie was shocked. Draped over one of the bales was the exact kind of blanket that she wore during her brain surgery recovery, woven with the words that embody Julie (and the Goodwill Experience!) the most: Courage, Resilience, Optimism, and Compassion. I entered Goodwill as a fan, but I left a devotee. Charles Antis Eric L. Goodman Ed Hart Dawn S. Reese, CFRE David Blair

Innovation meets inclusivity! Since 2021, Edwards Lifesciences has partnered with Goodwill of Orange County to create the Abilities Program, offering career growth and skill development opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Discover how this collaboration is transforming lives and enriching teams. #InclusiveWorkplace #OCGoodwill #AbilitiesProgram

Happy #LaborDay! 🎉 Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of our team, whose commitment drives our mission forward. Every day, they help transform lives through the power of work, providing opportunities and support for those seeking to build brighter futures. From workforce development programs to job training initiatives, we’re proud to be part of the journey toward meaningful employment for all. Thank you to our amazing Goodwill OC team and supporters for making it all possible! 💙

#THROWBACK to National Thrift Shop Day! Thank you for celebrating with us, and thank you to our amazing team for bringing great energy to our stores. We’re so happy to be part of such a positive and impactful community. 💙 Your purchases make a difference. When you shop or donate to Goodwill OC, you directly support our mission to help people on their pathway to employment and greater independence.