**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
March 2020
Contact: Jose Medellin | jmedellin@goodwillnynj.org | (646) 238-9133 mobile
Due to Coronavirus Crisis Goodwill NYNJ Stores to Close for Two Weeks
Goodwill Industries® of Greater NY and Northern NJ will temporarily close its 32 thrift stores while continuing to pay staff, offer remote services for behavioral health, people with development disabilities and those looking for work in response to the latest developments of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) effective today
New York, NY – March 18, 2020 – In response to the latest developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Goodwill Industries® of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ) is temporarily closing its 32 retail stores in the New York City metropolitan area, including Northern New Jersey, starting on March 18 for two weeks until April 1, 2020. This is temporary and the nonprofit social enterprise will reassess in two weeks. Goodwill NYNJ mission programs will operate at a smaller scale as directed by local government and will use tele-health or alternative programs besides meetings in groups for services. Goodwill NYNJ is continuing to pay employees and continue benefits during this two-week disruption to support its teams during this difficult time. These are unprecedented times and a new situation for Goodwill.
Customers can continue to support the mission of Goodwill NYNJ of empowering individuals with disabilities and others facing challenges to finding employment to gain independence through the power of work by shopping online 24/7 at www.shopgoodwill.com. They may also communicate with Goodwill NYNJ via its social channels.
“We are committed to the safety and well-being of our shoppers, donors, staff, and program participants, and they are our number one priority. Closing our stores, which fuel the revenue to fund job training services we provide to the community, is a difficult decision to make, but we believe it is the right thing to do,” said Katy Gaul-Stigge, president and CEO of Goodwill NYNJ. “We will continue to work closely with our teams and public officials on the best way to navigate the days and weeks ahead, and will share information about any operational changes with the community as we move forward together.”
The vision of Goodwill NYNJ is to create a world with no employment barriers for all. Most job-seekers with disabilities have little or no work experience, have no idea how to find a job or the type of job they can do. Without the support of Goodwill NYNJ services, individuals with disabilities end up as part of the 75% of people with disabilities out of work. Revenue from Goodwill stores supports Goodwill NYNJ’s job placement, training, on-the-job coaching, and retention services that support people who are unemployed or underemployed. Each year, Goodwill NYNJ provides services for 30,000 people with disabilities and disadvantages. Last year, Goodwill NYNJ helped 2,351 people get jobs, including 843 individuals with disabilities, outside our stores at hospitals, tech firms and NYC agencies.
At a safe and appropriate time, GoodwillNYNJ will resume its normal operations and work together to rebuild stronger, more resilient communities. For further updates related to when GoodwillNYNJ’s operations will resume, visit: www.goodwillnynj.org.
About Goodwill NYNJ
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. (Goodwill NYNJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates 32 retail stores throughout the region powered by donations of clothing and household items. Goodwill NYNJ translates those donations into job placement, training, on-the-job coaching, and retention services for people with disabilities and other employment barriers. Annually, Goodwill NYNJ services build better lives for thousands of New York City Metropolitan Area residents and their families. For over 105 years, the agency’s mission has been to empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power of work. Learn more about Goodwill NYNJ at http://www.goodwillnynj.org; follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillNYNJ; and find us on Facebook or Instagram: GoodwillNYNJ.
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