OUTLOOK
Spring 2020
Margaret DePopolo has a lifelong connection to Goodwill Memories of a remarkable Helms Society member Margaret DePopolo grew up in Belmont during the height of the Great Depression, and fondly remembers frequent visits with her mother to the Goodwill Store in Boston’s South End. As a young girl, Margaret considered Goodwill a wonderful department store, a “fairy-land” lush with amazing offerings of clothes, jewelry, furniture, and more. The mother and daughter would browse all the goods for sale and ultimately purchase one or two items to boost their spirits and decorate their modest home during a challenging time.
Margaret DePopolo pictured with her brother in Belmont, MA, circa 1947.
“My mother would explain to me that Goodwill offered individuals job training so they could go out and support themselves,” Margaret recalled. “Her outgoing praise of Goodwill reminded me that even our small purchases would go to help others.”
Her mother’s words made an impression, and Margaret eventually began donating financially to Goodwill. Now, as a long-time member of the Edgar J. Helms Society, she is encouraged that her support, along with the support of other donors, is making a difference in the lives of people who turn to Goodwill. “It is the generosity of donors like Ms. DePopolo who make our work possible and help people with barriers to employment get jobs,” said Joanne K. Hilferty, President and CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. Members of the Helms Society help continue the legacy of the Reverend Edgar J. Helms, who founded Goodwill in Boston’s South End in 1895, to provide those living in poverty “a hand up, not a hand out.” Visit www.goodwillmass.org/helmssociety to learn more.
Easy Access and Safety Drive Goodwill’s New Capital Campaign LOTS More to Accomplish! to benefit all who visit Goodwill HQ Each year more than 6,300 men, women, and youth are served annually at the Goodwill headquarters at 1010 Harrison Avenue in the heart of Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. Recently, Goodwill launched its LOTS More to Accomplish! Capital Campaign with the goal of protecting, preserving, and updating the headquarters. After more than 30 years of use, the parking and truck lots experience far more vehicle usage than when originally designed, and both have surfaces that are badly distressed with potholes, cracks, and buckled surfaces. The parking lot has up to 1,500 vehicles enter and exit each day. It needs more spaces and other improvements for the safe drop-off and pick-up of program participants, particularly those with disabilities. The campaign seeks to raise $2 million in gifts and pledges, allowing Goodwill to begin construction in the Spring/Summer of 2021. More than $1 million has Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries already been raised. Your gift could help us reach our 1010 Harrison Avenue goal. For more information, contact us at Boston, MA 02119 giving@goodwillmass.org. 617.445.1010 www.goodwillmass.org
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Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
www.goodwillmass.org
Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Your gift to support Goodwill is fully tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
OUTLOOK
The Official Newsletter for Supporters of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Spring 2020
Working for a Better Future Goodwill kicks off its 125th anniversary! Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries honored its 125th anniversary at the Annual Meeting on January 30th. The event was attended by board members, staff, community and business partners, and donors, who gathered to celebrate the successes of 2019 and to kick off Goodwill’s 125th anniversary. Speakers included Boston City Council President Kim Janey, Goodwill Board Chair Jane Edmonds, and Goodwill President and CEO Joanne K. Hilferty, who introduced this year’s theme: “Goodwill was founded by the Reverend Edgar J. Helms, who dreamed of becoming a Methodist missionary in India, but instead ended up launching a powerful movement right here in Boston. Today, there are 157 Goodwill organizations in the United States and Canada and Goodwill has a presence in 12 other countries. “While we are celebrating this anniversary, we also recognize
Goodwill President and CEO Joanne K. Hilferty (far left) with participant speakers, Boston City Council President Kim Janey (front left), and Goodwill Board Chair Jane C. Edmonds (far right).
that Goodwill’s work is not done and the social inequity that Rev. Helms saw is still with us today. To mark this anniversary, we have worked to maintain a balance between recognizing the past and planning for the future. The theme of this year’s Annual Report is Work for a Better Future. It refers to our mission – work – and the role work plays in creating a better future for individuals.” Attendees of the Annual Meeting were also treated to a display containing an original burlap bag from 1897 that was used to collect donations for Goodwill's mission. The morning was highlighted by Goodwill participant Paul Yahoodik, a hardworking young man who had aged out of high school and was eager to work. Paul connected with Goodwill through the Department of Developmental Services and, after receiving job readiness training, he began working with one of Goodwill’s mobile work crews at American Surgical Company in Salem.
Goodwill Young Professionals Committee members with a Goodwill donation bag from 1897.
You Make It Happen
Paul liked the job, but he wanted to be closer to home. Working with his Goodwill case manager, continued on page 2 Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
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OUTLOOK
Spring 2020
Spring 2020
OUTLOOK
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he started a job search and applied for a position at Amazon Prime as a personal shopper at Whole Foods in Lynnfield, MA. Today, Paul loves his job and his supervisors have praised his hard work. Paul shared his gratitude to Goodwill at the Annual Meeting:
MassHire Boston Career Center, Goodwill Receive Public Safety Award Honoring a program that helps returning citizens find jobs
“Having a job has given me more independence in my life. Since I have been at Goodwill, I have gotten a driver’s license and become much more independent. I want to thank Goodwill and my parents for supporting me with this job.”
MassHire Boston Career Center is a one-stop career center operated by Goodwill that offers universal access to a broad range of career counseling services, career resources, workshops, job fairs, and special programs to connect job seekers looking to advance or change careers with employers. Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) awarded the Innovations in Public Safety Award to MassHire Boston Career Center and Goodwill for their work in helping individuals who are incarcerated but will soon be released find jobs.
It’s your support that makes inspiring stories like Paul’s possible. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of our 125-year history. Connect with us on Facebook throughout 2020 where we will be posting events, photos and more in honor of our 125th anniversary. Follow us @goodwillboston
Goodwill’s retail social enterprise creates a better future for Josephine Ramos
A History of Goodwill Toward Others
You Make It Happen Goodwill President and CEO Joanne Hilferty joins employees of MassHire Boston Career Center to accept the Innovations in Public Safety Award from Carol Mici, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
Goodwill participant Paul Yahoodik shared his gratitude at the Annual Meeting.
Learning to Open Up to Others
In 2017, Goodwill and the DOC began working on a program designed to help returning citizens from the Boston Pre-Release Center in Roslindale, MA, to find jobs by accessing career services at MassHire Boston Career Center in Roxbury, MA. As of December 2019, 207 individuals had obtained employment and were working while at the Pre-Release Center. Congrats, MassHire!
2019 BY THE NUMBERS
6,204 Individuals served
Goodwill participant Josephine Ramos is loving her work and engaging with customers.
When Josephine Ramos came to Goodwill in 2012, she was a shy 22year-old aging out of the Springfield public school system who had trouble focusing and communicating with others.
Reverend Edgar J. Helms founded Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in 1895.
Fast-forward to the present and Josephine is an outgoing person who loves to work and help others. A key factor in that transformation has been Josephine’s participation in Goodwill’s Employment Supports Program in Springfield, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. At Goodwill, Josephine learned job and social skills, and she now works at The Goodwill Store in Chicopee on a part-time basis as an assistant sales associate. The work has helped her open up and engage with others. “I like working at the store and helping customers,” said Josephine. “I also like to work with my new co-workers and teach them things.”
Cover of a Goodwill newsletter, 1924
Thanks to your support, Josephine overcame her barriers and is now working for a better future.
984 People placed in jobs
319 Communities served across Massachusetts Early photo of a Goodwill participant interview
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Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
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Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
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