HEART OF TEXAS GOODWILL INDUSTRIES

Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries, Inc. (HOTGW) was founded in Waco in 1955 through the efforts of individuals who recognized the need for vocational training and employment opportunities. Throughout the decades, Goodwill has stayed focused on this mission, while expanding and improving services to meet new and emerging needs of the communities served by the agency. HOTGW operates retail stores as well as Community Connects, which offer a variety of services and specialized programs provided by Goodwill and other community-based organizations. Some of these services include employment readiness training, computer training, financial coaching, resource navigation, GED prep, ESL courses, Anger Management classes, and job placement assistance.

Some of the specialized programs offered through the Community Connects are Operation: GoodJobs (which provides services to veterans and their family members to help connect them to employment opportunities and provide other wrap around services in their community) and the Rise Program (which helps adults obtain and accredited High School Diploma while receiving supports and job readiness assistance as they increase their financial self-sufficiency).

HOTGW’s Vocational Services Department also partners with their local state vocational rehabilitation service agencies, local school districts, and local day habilitation centers to provide a variety of training programs to people with disabilities such as Work Adjustment Training and Vocational Adjustment Training.

HOTGW is opening its first childcare facility in effort to provide an affordable/quality childcare option for community members as they focus on finding and/or maintaining employment opportunities and financial security for their families.