Every year during the first full week of May, local Goodwill organizations across the United States and Canada celebrate Goodwill Industries Week to shine the light on how Goodwill NYNJ transforms lives through the power of work. This year, Goodwill Industries Week runs May 1–7.

While the U.S. economy is improving and the national unemployment rate continues to decline, still many individuals struggle with poverty, homelessness, lack of access and the resources to find and sustain good-paying jobs. That’s where Goodwill comes in, 156 local Goodwill® organizations across the United States, Canada and 12 other countries have helped people find jobs, support their families and feel the satisfaction that comes from working.

For more than 107 years, Goodwill NYNJ has supported the NYC metro region with placement, training, on-the-job coaching, and retention services that support individuals with disabilities and other barriers on their journey to employment for years or even decades.

Individuals like Chshone, a 49-year-old man with an intellectual disability, who came to Goodwill at age 21, and thanks to the nonprofit’s services, got his first job and 3 decades later, continues to support him in his career.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, but Goodwill NYNJ provides behavioral health services that help people with mental illness stay healthy, on the job and out of hospitals year-round. Persons like Denise, who has dealt with mental health conditions since her teenage years. She had to quit her job due to severe depression and was unable to seek work for over a year. Today and thanks to Goodwill, Denise works and is engaged with her community. 

The impact of Goodwill NYNJ in 2021:

10,000 people received employment services, almost half of them people with disabilities.

821 people placed in jobs, including 549 individuals with disabilities outside its stores at hospitals and health care centers, tech and accounting firms, the warehousing and manufacturing sectors, and NYC agencies.

900 individuals with mental illness received behavioral health services.

400 temp workers sent on assignments each day. 

To learn more about Goodwill services, email services@goodwillny.org

If you are an employer seeking qualified talent, email findgoodpeople@goodwillny.org