Organization Surpasses Annual Mission Goals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee helped 15,412 people find jobs in 2015, a 61-percent increase over its efforts the prior year.

The not-for-profit provides free training, education and employment opportunities across 48 middle and west Tennessee counties. Overall, the agency assisted 36,081 people in 2015 — a 28-percent rise compared to 2014.

Goodwill’s goals for last year were to assist 30,000 people and place 11,000 in jobs. Those benchmarks were met in November. The organization’s new goal focuses on 2020, by which it hopes to be placing 20,000 people into jobs annually.

A recent study by the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University forecast that by 2024 Goodwill will place more than 21,500 into jobs each year.

Goodwill sells donated clothing and household goods in its stores to fund its mission. The agency employs more than 2,100 people, but 92 percent of Goodwill’s clients who find jobs are placed with other employers. More than 3,000 employers actively hire through Goodwill.

“We are extremely proud of the results our 29 Goodwill Career Solutions centers have achieved for the people and communities we serve,” said Betty Johnson, Vice President and Chief People Officer of the local Goodwill. “It’s exciting to be changing so many lives through the power of work. Our generous donors and shoppers make it possible.”

Read the Winter 2015 edition of The Ambassador – Goodwill’s quarterly magazine which provides readers with stories of events, activities and the inspiring changes Goodwill is making in the lives of others.

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

For more than 55 years Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. In 2014, Goodwill served 28,159 people in Middle and West Tennessee and placed 9.558 people in jobs. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at  www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231