Celebrating 100 Years of Goodwill in Colorado and The Women Who Started it All

More than a century ago, it would have been a common sight to see a woman riding around on her bicycle near the corner of 31st and Lawrence Streets in what is now the Curtis Park neighborhood of Denver. That woman was prominent Methodist Deaconess Melissa Briggs. She was often seen riding her bike to collect donations of clothing and household items to bring back to the Epworth Institutional Church, which she founded in 1890.

At the time, the notoriously rough area was often called Hog Ranch for its abundance of saloons, crime and houses of ill repute. None of that slowed down Briggs, though, as she traveled by foot or bicycle past the saloon customers to collect donations for her congregation. The deaconess repaired and refinished the discarded clothing she collected and gave it away to the poor. In the earliest

days of the Epworth Church, Briggs offered sewing and cooking classes, hosted religious services, and fed hungry children of the neighborhood. Determined to make a difference in the lives of those in need, Briggs dedication to giving back evolved into what would become Goodwill as we know it today.

On April 4, 1918 the Epworth Institutional Church started a program employing wounded veterans and called it Goodwill Industries of Denver. A few years later, the first Goodwill store in Colorado opened in the back of the Epworth building. Fast forward to 2018 and Goodwill Industries of Denver now operates 30 retail stores, one Déjà Blue Boutique, three Outlet Worlds, three Career Connection Centers and several Donation Centers across the Denver metro area and northern Colorado.

While the scope and operation have expanded and evolved with the current needs of the Denver community, the mission to help Coloradans in need remains the same. Goodwill's retail business exists to help disadvantaged individuals with barriers to employment find independence and self-sufficiency through the power of work.

n'And just as it was in the early 1900's, steadfast female executives like Kristi Esbenshade, Goodwill Denver's Vice President of Workforce Development are leading the charge to take Goodwill into the next century and beyond. "Carrying on Melissa's legacy of making the lives of struggling individuals better is a huge motivator for what I do at Goodwill," said Esbenshade as she reflected on the organization's 100-year history. "I am so proud and humbled to be a part of an organization that is truly changing lives by giving them the skills, confidence and connections they need to become successful members of the workforce."

Esbenshade has been with Goodwill Industries of Denver for more than twenty years leading the organization's career development programming that includes services for disadvantaged youth, adults with barriers to employment and individuals with disabilities.

Another female leader tasked with extending Melissa Briggs' legacy into the next generation, Goodwill Denver's Interim President and CEOKarla Grazier. "The fact that this organization is celebrating 100 years of service is a testament to the impact of the work we're doing every day," said Grazier. "We wouldn't have made it this far if we weren't able to adapt to the ebb and flow of the economy, evolving technologies and an ever-changing workforce. Our business may be retail, but Goodwill is in the business of changing lives through the power of work just as it was when Melissa got on her bike 100 years ago."

Jessica Hudgins Smith PR & Digital Media Manager Goodwill Industries of Denver Goodwilldenver.org