building
The Campaign for the Helms College Campus
At Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA, we recognize that history doesn’t merely happen; it is created! We are both excited and humbled to build upon Goodwill’s 112 year-old history by embracing a campaign that will allow us to continue transforming the lives of individuals in the CSRA. While we are certainly proud of our Building Goodwill campaign’s achievements, we have a great deal more work to do as we seek to increase our capacity to serve those in our community who need a hand up and an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. The Building Goodwill campaign for the Helms College campus has, to date, completed Phase I (a total of almost $4 million dollars) and is nearing completion of Phase II ($2.1 million dollars) with $400,000 yet to raise. This critical philanthropic support has paved the way for the opening
Designing the Future
of the Helms College School of Culinary Arts in Augusta (2012), as well as Edgar’s Grille and The Center (Winter 2013), as applied learning venues for Helms College students. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors and the support of many loyal volunteers, businesses, community leaders, foundations, and government agencies. Your collaboration and commitment have enabled us to become one of the nation’s leading nonprofit providers of education and career development services for people with barriers to employment. We invite our community members, clients, alumni parents, and friends who share our vision to help Goodwill fulfill its potential. Thank you for your continued support of our fundraising campaign to shape a brighter future for our communities, our nation and our world.
Join us in Designing the Future.
Goodwill’s Distinguished Heritage Goodwill is an American tradition. Goodwill Industries International has been giving Americans a chance to experience pride through the power of work for over 112 years. In 1902, Rev. Edgar J. Helms began collecting used goods and clothing in the wealthier parts of Boston and trained unemployed community members to repair the goods. These materials were resold through a Goodwill retail store, and Rev. Helms used the proceeds to pay workers’ wages as well as to support education and enterprise management programs. This novel approach of teaching people job-related skills they need to become self-sufficient was extremely successful and remains Goodwill’s guiding philosophy today. Dr. Helms’ vision set an early course for what has become a $4 billion nonprofit organization with over 200 member organizations in the United States and around the world. Goodwill has grown to become North America’s leading nonprofit provider of jobtraining and placement services for people with barriers to employment. In 2012, Goodwill was recognized by the Charity Watch organization as America’s second largest “Grade A” charity.