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Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont welcomes the National Institute of Minority Economic Development to its Goodwill Opportunity Campus. 

The North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development was founded in 1986 to expand and diversify the state’s economic base by providing direct support to minority and women-owned businesses. Now known as the National Institute of Minority Economic Development and spanning a five-state footprint in the Southeast, the institute continues to address racial and gender economic disparities by improving the ecosystem for diverse small businesses and increasing access to capital for businesses and communities.  

Their mission is to strengthen the asset base of diverse populations through policy, education and economic opportunities. They accomplish their mission through major programs including four Women’s Business Centers. With the outstanding leadership of programs like the Women’s Business Center of Charlotte, the institute has helped more than 10,000 minority businesses obtain over $1 billion in financial contracts and awards and secure more than $140 million in bonding.  

If you or your organization are looking for a space, contact Carola Cardenas, Director of Workforce Partnerships and Outreach at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, at Carola.Cardenas@goodwillsp.org.  

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Announcements|Community Partners|Goodwill's Mission

2024-10-30 19:33:44

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At the Goodwill Construction & Skills Training Center, thousands of participants have taken tuition-free courses in Construction Basics, HVAC, Electrical, Commercial Carpentry, Blueprint Reading & Estimating and more. In 2023, 537 participants graduated from the program. 

The training center, lovingly nicknamed the “Trade School,” has built up an alumni network that envies those of schools or universities. After finishing training programs, former participants stay connected with each other, their Career Navigators and the team at the training center. 

Several alumni have had a special opportunity to pour back into participants by becoming teaching assistants (TAs) for the Construction Basics course. This idea formed from the growth the construction center has experienced over the last year. 

“Our numbers were growing last year, and we needed to find a better pipeline of talent,” explains Marvin Kelley, Director of Construction & Trade Training. “We came up with the idea to reach back into our talent pool and train up graduates who completed the program, were working, and were doing well.” 

Employing previous graduates has provided a unique perspective that allows Goodwill participants to gain knowledge from someone who has already taken the course and see what avenues they can take after finishing their coursework. 

“It makes a difference with the students, because you can see a professional that went through the same classes you’re going through and see the progress in real form,” shares Destiney, a residential maintenance technician. “Me being there is like a daily reminder [that] you can be successful after this.” 

“I love watching the growth from day one to the final day,” adds Charlie, a foreman in training who assists with Construction Basics and Carpentry courses. 

In addition to the knowledge of the training courses, some TAs are able to pay it forward by being an advocate for Goodwill participants at their own companies. 

“I tell them, ‘My company that Goodwill hooked me up with is hiring soon. I’ve worked with you for the last eight weeks; I know you work really hard and you’re eager to learn. Send me your resumes, and I’ll forward them up the chain,’” Charlie explains. 

The TAs are helping develop future professionals in construction, while also developing themselves at the same time. 

“This is a big step for me,” states Andre, a maintenance technician who received a promotion to supervisor after completing his courses at Goodwill. “[At work], I was seeing it in real life and then bringing it back and sharing new ways on how to problem solve. I guess I stood out from that.” 

“It helped me become a better professional,” Destiney emphasizes. “I gave it a try, and I enjoy it more than I thought I would.” 

At Goodwill, our mission is to help people build pathways that help people pursue the life they want to achieve. The Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center is helping build pathways both in class and beyond. 

“It’s really a full circle moment,” says Marvin. “[Just a few years ago], Destiney came through the program and was excited to go to her first job. In class, she was shy, and now, to see the energy around her ability to communicate with the students, it’s super fulfilling.” 

If you’d like to contribute to funding Goodwill’s tuition-free programs and services, consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution. 

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General|Goodwill's Mission|Job Training|Occupational Skills Training

2024-10-29 19:36:45

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ABOUT THE CENTER

We’re opening a new Career & Employment Center in Gastonia! The new center, which is located at 359 W. Main Avenue, will open to the public on Monday, November 4.

Goodwill’s new Gastonia Career & Employment Center not only supports economic growth detailed in Gaston County’s 2040 vision, but the new and larger space will allow us to expand our program and service offerings. Here are just a few things job seekers can expect when visiting the new center:

If you need help finding a job, learning new skills or figuring out your next career move, we hope you’ll stop by our new location! Our former Gastonia Career & Employment Center, located at 116 Armstrong Street, closed permanently on Thursday, October 31.

SNEAK PEEK

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Announcements|Employment|Events|Goodwill's Mission|Job Training

2024-10-23 16:04:09

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Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is excited to announce that the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard, is serving as an early voting site this election season. This marks the first time that Goodwill will play this role in expanding voting access for the West Charlotte community, helping strengthen civic engagement in the area.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO VOTING

In partnership with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, the Goodwill Opportunity Campus will provide a convenient location for residents to cast their votes. Early voting begins on Thursday, October 17 and runs through Saturday, November 2, offering a wide window for voters to make their voices heard.

EARLY VOTING HOURS:

The early voting site at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus will be open during the following hours from October 17 – November 2:

The goal is to provide flexibility for voters who may have varying schedules, ensuring as many community members as possible can take advantage of early voting.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Opening the Goodwill Opportunity Campus as an early voting site is part of Goodwill’s broader mission to serve the community beyond our well-known job training and employment services. By making voting more accessible to West Charlotte residents, Goodwill is helping foster a more engaged and informed community. It’s one more way Goodwill supports the area’s growth and well-being.

For more information on how to participate in early voting, visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website.

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Advocacy|Announcements|General

2024-10-17 14:58:23

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The Messer Construction Co. Foundation has awarded Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont $25,000 to support the construction of a new model home at Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center. Once construction is complete, the model home will become a regular tool to provide hands-on training throughout the Construction & Trade Skills Training program. As a sustainable structure, the model home will be vital in meeting the needs of program curriculum as the construction industry evolves over time.

“It’s really gratifying to support an organization that is committed to creating pathways to careers in the construction industry,” said Chris Malinowski, vice president, Charlotte region leader at Messer Construction Co. “High-quality, hands-on training provides a sense of what it’s like to work in the skilled trades: It’s rewarding, collaborative, and offers ample opportunities for advancement. We can’t wait to see the model home be constructed and for Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center to continue making an impact in the Charlotte community.”

As October is Careers in Construction Month, this investment is especially timely. With the construction industry facing a significant shortage of skilled workers, hands-on training programs like Goodwill’s are more critical than ever. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 91% of construction firms in North Carolina are struggling to find skilled labor. This model home, once completed, will play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of skilled craft professionals who can help close that gap in the greater Charlotte region.

“Careers in Construction Month serves as a reminder of the vital role the construction industry plays in our economy and communities,” said Marvin Kelley, Director of Construction & Trade Skills Training at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “This generous support from the Messer Construction Co. Foundation will provide our participants with hands-on training that closely simulates the real-world work they’ll do onsite upon program completion. We’re excited to strengthen our program and continue preparing the next generation of skilled workers for success.”

Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training program, along with the addition of this new model home, will help train local residents for rewarding careers in construction—a sector that offers stability, growth opportunities, and a chance to build a lasting legacy. Through this partnership with Messer Construction Co., Goodwill will continue to support economic mobility and provide essential skills training to individuals in the Charlotte area.

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Announcements|Donate|General|Goodwill's Mission|Job Training

2024-10-15 16:23:46

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Nonprofit joins partnership in its commitment to recruiting and advancing workforce development initiatives in the Charlotte region

During a press conference at the Urban League of Central Carolinas on September 24, Goodwill, along with other nonprofits, community organizations, elected officials, unions and workforce providers, announced their commitment to adopt and implement the Departments of Commerce and Labor’s Good Jobs Principles, cement public and private sector partnerships that will build equitable workforce pipelines statewide, and reaffirm the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to create a generation of good-paying jobs while addressing the climate crisis. 

“Through President Biden and Vice President Harris’s Investing in America agenda, we have made significant progress in delivering good jobs and economic security to communities across the country,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who leads the workforce development partnership. “Here in North Carolina, that means $10.3 billion of investments in safe roads and bridges, clean air and water, and renewable energy. With today’s announcement - and through partnerships of those in this room - we are going to make sure that every single cent of that $10.3 billion supports good-paying North Carolina jobs.” 

During the press conference, Goodwill, along with the city’s building trades and other community-based organizations, also announced the formation of the Charlotte Regional Apprenticeship Collaboration to strengthen efforts in Greater Charlotte to develop pipelines of diverse and equitable apprenticeships. 

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Announcements|Community Partners

2024-10-10 18:40:21

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Our hearts go out to our neighbors in western North Carolina and the surrounding areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. We stand with everyone who is facing the aftermath of this devastating storm.

In times of crisis, it’s heartening to see our community come together to support one another. One way we’ve decided to help those affected by Hurricane Helene is to support a disaster relief drive that American Airlines and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is hosting.

Saturday and Sunday, October 5 – 6, we’ll be collecting disaster relief supplies at all of our retail stores. Each store will have a collection bin located by its donor door that’s clearly labeled for this purpose. We’ll take all of the items we collect to the airport, where they’ll be loaded onto a truck and delivered to western North Carolina for local distribution.

These are the items we’ll be collecting:

Thank you as we work together to support our neighbors in need!

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Announcements

2024-10-04 18:54:29

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THRIFT YOUR SPOOKY

Do you want to look eerie-sistible this Halloween? Look no further than your local Goodwill! Whether you’re building a costume classic or a pop culture sensation, we have everything you need to bring your one-of-a-kind look to life! 

FA-BOO-LOUS FINDS

EASY DIY COSTUME IDEAS

HOME FINDS TO HOWL FOR

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS

You can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores is what funds the career training courses, job search support and family stability services that we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year, including our own team members.

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Announcements|DIY|Shopping

2024-09-25 21:43:29

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Join Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont as we participate in the inaugural DAF Day on October 10, 2024.

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable savings account that gives you the flexibility to recommend grants to qualified non-profits like Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. DAFs currently hold about $230 billion philanthropic dollars in the United States and provide a simple way for the donor to get needed resources to their favorite causes in an easy and efficient way.

About 37% of DAF accounts go unused each year. We can change that this year, by encouraging supporters of Goodwill’s mission to make a DAF gift on National DAF Day. Your dollars help our community members pursue the life they want to achieve through our life-changing services.

Whether participants are taking the tuition-free BankWork$ or Advanced IT training, or learning a new employable skill at our award-winning Construction Skills Training Center, you can be certain that an investment in Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is an investment in our community’s future.

Making a DAF donation is easy to do. Just send our EIN – 56-0844639 to your account holder today, and reach out to our Director of Philanthropy, Jennifer De La Jara, at Jennifer.delajara@goodwillsp.org if you have any questions.

Imagine the good we could do if we DAF, together!

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Announcements|Donate|General

2024-09-20 01:19:52

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BUY THROUGH INSTAGRAM & PICK UP LOCALLY

At Goodwill, we’re always looking for new ways to further our mission, helping more people in our community better their lives. We’re excited to announce the launch of Home by Goodwill, our new Instagram account (@goodwillsp_home) where you can discover and claim unique, thrifted home goods and furniture directly through Instagram. Items will be available for pick-up at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus. The account will go live on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where do the items for sale come from?
A: Items for sale at Home by Goodwill were originally donated to Goodwill stores. When items don’t sell in-store, we give them another chance to find a new home through Home by Goodwill. By shopping with us, you’re helping extend the life of these pieces and keeping them out of landfills, supporting both sustainability and Goodwill’s mission.

Q: What condition can I expect items to be in?
A: Items are gently used and donated by members of the community. While many pieces are in great condition, some may have minor defects that are not pictured. The condition of each unique item will vary, but we aim to offer quality items that still have plenty of life left.

Q: How do I pay and schedule pickup?
A: We currently accept payment through PayPal only. Once you’ve claimed an item by being the first to comment on our Instagram post, our team will reach out to you with a PayPal payment link and details for scheduling your pickup. It’s a simple process, and we’ll work with you to find a convenient time to collect your item(s) at 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. in west Charlotte!

Q: What does the revenue from Home by Goodwill support?
A: Like all of our stores, sales from Home by Goodwill fund job training programs, job search support, family stability services and more – all offered free of charge to people right here in our community looking to further their lives. Thank you for supporting our mission!

Q: Can I return items I purchase from Home by Goodwill?
A: We want you to be happy with your purchase! If an item isn’t what you expected when you arrive for pickup, we can process a return before the item leaves our building. However, once the item has been picked up, all sales are final. We encourage you to review the photos and descriptions closely to ensure the item meets your expectations.

Q: Will your team help me load large items?
A: We recommend bringing your own help for loading large items, as well as a vehicle that can accommodate them. While our team will assist when possible, we strongly encourage you to come prepared with the necessary “muscle” to ensure a smooth and safe loading process.

SHOP ONLINE AND DO GOOD

Like with all of our stores, every purchase made through Home by Goodwill helps generate revenue that directly supports our free job training programs, job search support services, family stability programs and other community initiatives designed to help people see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper.

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Announcements|General|Shopping

2024-09-19 19:56:07

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