Goodwill Industries of East Texas (GIET) is a 501c3 not profit organization. GIET started because a group of individuals saw the opportunity to change East Texans lives for the better. Since 1975, Goodwill of East Texas has been training, employing and helping East Texans find WORK!
In 2019, GIET served over 4,200 East Texans through its job training, job placement, social service and counseling programs. GIET depends on the gently used donations of clothing and household goods ... Read More
Goodwill Industries of East Texas (GIET) is a 501c3 not profit organization. GIET started because a group of individuals saw the opportunity to change East Texans lives for the better. Since 1975, Goodwill of East Texas has been training, employing and helping East Texans find WORK!
In 2019, GIET served over 4,200 East Texans through its job training, job placement, social service and counseling programs. GIET depends on the gently used donations of clothing and household goods to supply its 15 retail stores in East Texas. Revenues from the retail stores help to support the services and programs provided by Goodwill Industries of East Texas through the following programs: GoodTech Academy, IT Certification training and test preparation(including a new collaboration with UT at Tyler and an internship program with TJC), Basic Computer Classes, YouthWorks for ages 16-24, Veteran Services, Re-Entry for ex-offenders, Second Chance for Her (re-entry for female ex-offenders), GoodTemps, a temporary staff service, Pre-Vocational Training for the significantly disabled, Work Adjustment Training for the disabled, Skills 2 Succeed soft skills training, Personal Social Adjustment Training, GoodAssist, free benefit assistance, job search and resume writing, Job Placement, Job Coaching, Assessments, Linking Women 2 Work Closet and Dress 2 Impress for Men Closet and ABE/GED Prep in collaboration with the Literacy Council of Tyler.
Since 1902, Goodwill Industries has been repurposing gently used household goods and using the proceeds from sales of these items to put people to work. Goodwill’s founder, Reverend Helms, a Methodist minister, saw the value of every person. Reverend Helms saw household items that were no longer used but that still had usefulness for those who were living in poverty or were unable to work. Secondly, he loved people and saw the value of every person realizing their full potential and learning a skill so they could work. Given these two concepts and his work in the Church, Reverend Helms started Goodwill. As an early social innovator, Helms collected used household goods and clothing in more prosperous areas of the city and trained and hired low-income individuals to mend and repair the used goods. These ‘goods’ were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them. The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of “a hand up, not a hand out” was born.
Reverend Helms’ vision set an early course for what today, more than 118 years
later, has become a leading worldwide nonprofit organization. Helms described Goodwill Industries as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise,
a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.”
Goodwill Industries of East Texas was established in 1975 and covers a 13–county region encompassing Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties.
Goodwill Industries of East Texas improves lives in the East Texas communities it serves by ensuring that people have the opportunity for economic independence through work.
Goodwill Industries of East Texas puts people to work. Our work will be complete when we have enhanced the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by
• Strengthening communities,
• Eliminating barriers to opportunity,
• Helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.
It takes a community of individuals, donors, volunteers and employers to work with Goodwill Industries of East Texas to put people to work.
Our values
• Second Chances – We believe that everyone deserves a second chance to change their lives.
• Service – We believe that we are here to serve our community, our customers, donors, clients, and each other.
• Inclusion – We believe that all people can contribute and add value in our society.
• Opportunity – We believe that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and to fulfill his or her dreams and goals.
• Loyalty – We believe in being present and consistent.
• Friendliness – We believe in spreading joy by sharing kind words and warm smiles.
Who is the Goodwill client?
One who has barriers to successful employment because of a disability or disadvantaged position including persons:
•With physical challenges or cognitive disorders
•Who are intellectually-challenged with a lower than average IQ
•With limited education
•With a criminal background, that is not violent or harmful to children
•Without any employment history
How does Goodwill prepare its clients to compete for available jobs?
•Specific vocational training
•Special case management or social adjustment classes to help adapt to a formal
work environment
•Resume building and interview skills
•GED assistance and/or basic remediation in math and reading
•Computer and financial literacy training
•Assistance with direct job placement
How does Goodwill put people to work?
1. Goodwill is a job creator – providing employment to over 500 individuals annually in our Retail Division, Commercial Services Division, Mission Services Division and Administration
2. Goodwill places program participants on permanent jobs with area businesses
3. Goodwill places individuals in temporary employment positions with area business through our GoodTemps, temporary staffing service.
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