The video "Goodwill – Who We Are" presents Goodwill’s mission to change lives through the power of work, illustrated by a series of on‑camera testimonials from participants, instructors, and employers. It explains how Goodwill removes employment barriers by offering paid, industry‑specific training programs in construction, banking, customer service, hospitality, tourism, recycling, and staffing. The narrative highlights personal mentorship (e.g., instructor Thomas Elijah and client Rick Jones) and success stories where trainees secure jobs and advance in their careers. The film also describes Goodwill’s social‑enterprise model: donated goods are sold in retail stores, generating revenue that funds 80 % of the organization’s operations. In 2012 the Ballantyne store opened, creating over 20 new jobs, and overall Goodwill generated $32 million in revenue and $11 million in net income, with 90 cents of every dollar reinvested into community programs. Employers praise Goodwill graduates for their positive energy and work ethic. The overall message is that Goodwill provides a supportive, caring environment that empowers individuals and benefits the broader community.
Chapters
Goodwill, changing lives through the power of work.
It just renewed my spirit.
That hard work makes you feel a sense of pride.
You got to keep strong and keep yourself motivated and going. Goodwill was one of the places that gave me that drive, gave me that hunger to go out and be successful.
One of the unique things that Goodwill does that Doesn't happen in every organization that people go to is they feel welcome and cared about.
Instructors like Thomas Elijah serving people like Rick Jones with job skills and life lessons.
He was a man that patted me on the back and said, you can do it.
There's tons of Ricks out there that don't know who they are. We provide that atmosphere where if you're willing, we're willing.
Goodwill helps remove barriers to employment by providing a variety of training programs in specific industries, Like construction, banking, and customer service, hospitality, and tourism. Several of Goodwill's business ventures also train workers.
Just like Good Work Staffing Services, our recycling business is a training program. So everybody that works in those areas are folks that are coming to us for services. And because it is training and there's revenue attached to it, it's paid training. So they actually are earning some income while they're, they're learning how to do that type of business.
Constantly striving for excellence, Goodwill instills those qualities in graduates.
I attended a class last year and they were able to connect me with a job in Charlotte. Started at the front desk there and then got promoted to the maintenance.
I have been very impressed with all the candidates that Goodwill has sent to me because it seems like they bring a special kind of positive energy and a real willingness to work.
The simplicity and genius of the Goodwill model is how it connects the basic needs of donors, shoppers, job seekers, and employers. This proven model provides opportunities for people to donate unwanted items and creates a marketplace for the items to be sold and converted into a currency that provides the resources to train and put people to work. Stores like the newest retail location in Ballantyne is a popular, fun place to shop, a convenient place to donate, and it creates jobs for the community. Over 20 new jobs were created when the store opened in 2012. It's a great social enterprise that keeps giving back to the community.
Retail funds 80% of Goodwill. We generated $32 million last year in revenue. We generated about $11 million in net income.
It funds an organization that gives back. 90 cents of every dollar spent at Goodwill goes to the community. That is the essence of Goodwill.
Just about everyone knows that Goodwill is a place where you take your stuff, And also the place where you can buy other people's stuff. But not nearly as many people know and understand the depth and the professionalism and the scope of services that Goodwill provides and the impact that those services make in the lives of people, our neighbors.
It gave me a reason to get up every day and believe that things would get better.
Goodwill, changing lives through the power of work.
