November 07, 1999|By Karin Remesch
Mission: To provide career development, employment and related social services to help people with special needs enjoy the dignity and benefits of work and a better quality of life. Goodwill Industries in the Baltimore area started in 1919 when the first factory was opened at Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church. Two indigent employees were hired to stencil and fold burlap bags that would be sent out to collect reclaimable household goods that could be sold. This cycle of donation, processing, resale and wages remains essentially intact today. There are 185 Goodwills in the United States and Canada and 46 abroad.
Latest accomplishments: So far this year, Goodwill has placed more than 1,000 people into jobs -- an increase of about 300 over last year's total of 752. Goodwill also opened a call center in Baltimore City to manage customer service and telemarketing for local businesses. And in October, the 15th career development site was opened at Gilmor Homes in Baltimore City in cooperation with the Jobs Plus program.
On the horizon: Goodwill is moving its primary career development center and headquarters to 222 E. Redwood St. in Baltimore in the spring of 2000. Easier access to public transportation will enable the organization to serve 1,500 additional people at the new location.
About Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake: Last year, 2,738 people were trained; more than 300,000 people donated household goods; nearly 650,000 shopped at Goodwill stores; and more than 10,000 people made cash contributions. Operating budget: $16 million. Endowment: $5 million.
Where and when: 4001 Southwestern Blvd., Baltimore. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; store hours vary. Web site: www.goodwillches.org. Call 410-247-3500.
Charles Maker, chairman of the board of directors: "Work is an empowering force -- it builds self- esteem and gives a person a feeling of purpose and contribution. Goodwill helps people set goals for themselves in defining a career path, and helps them achieve those goals through its job placement and training programs. It's having a powerful economic development impact across the city and in the metropolitan region, both for people in need of jobs and the businesses that are struggling for a quality, reliable and trained work force in this economy."
Members of the board of directors:
Robert Aumiller
Andrew Hiduke
William Drew Hawkins
Robert J. Kimmons
Marge Thomas
Kevin Abell
Dallas Arthur
Joy Bramble
Thomas Burden
Kevin Byrne
Terence T. Cunningham
Gwen Davidson
Neil W. Didriksen
Gary Geisel
Bernie Jackson
John M. Kane
Gail L. Letts
Andrew D. Levy
Jayne Miller
James Piper III
Marvin H. Rabovsky
Wayne Resnick
Nelson Sabatini
