Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA

We are excited to announce that Goodwill of Middle Georgia & CSRA has been selected for the 2024 Catalyst Grant Program by the Urban Institute and Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative!

This grant will enable us to use data and technology to advance racial equity and reform within our criminal legal system. Through our Checks Over Stripes program, in partnership with the Office of the District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit and Vanderbilt Project on Prosecution Policy, we aim to reduce racial disparities and support young adults in building brighter futures.

Learn more about this transformative initiative and its impact on our community at https://URBN.IS/4cld4bO

During Disability Pride Month, we honor individuals like Margaret who have shown exceptional strength, persistence, and creativity.

Margaret joined the Good Vocations program through a local Goodwill Job Connection, starting on the flight line at Robins Air Force Base. Today, she thrives in a position with high security at the base daycare, where being attentive and following rules carefully are very important. Despite facing challenges, including a temporary loss of speech, Margaret's positivity and the support of her Goodwill family enabled her to overcome obstacles. Supervisor Roy Hayward fondly recalls her exceptional contributions on the flight line and her subsequent growth into her current role.

With nearly a decade at Good Vocations under her belt, Margaret is excelling professionally and making waves as an accomplished poet. Her recently published book, If I Knew Then What I Know Now, touches on themes of faith, resilience, and triumph over adversity. Through her poetry, Margaret continues to inspire others, embodying the spirit of Disability Pride Month by sharing her journey and uplifting those around her.

Join us in celebrating Margaret's story and the diverse achievements of our community this Disability Pride Month.

“It is ability that counts.” – Dr. Edgar J. Helms

🌟 Making a Difference Beyond the Storefront! 🌟

Our Senior Vice President for Career Development, Leah Pontani, shares how Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA is transforming lives right here in our local communities through job training, education, and community engagement. It’s not just about retail—it’s about real change!

➡️ Watch now and see how you’re part of something bigger: https://augustaceo.com/video/2024/07/leah-pontani-goodwill-industries-impact-beyond-retail/

Leah Pontani of Goodwill Industries, Impact Beyond Retail Senior Vice President of Career Development at Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia Leah Pontani talks about the enormous impact Goodwill has on the community.

🚗 Goodwill Automotive Center: Solving the Unsolvable! 🛠️

When specialized dealers couldn’t fix a 2014 Mercedes Benz E350, Goodwill Automotive Center stepped up. The car, brought in with wiring issues that stumped other shops, was expertly handled by our team. Joel Taylor discovered a blown starter solenoid fuse and replaced it, bringing the car back to life after others deemed it irreparable.

This success story showcases our team's expertise and commitment to going above and beyond!

Learn more: https://www.goodwillworks.org/automotive/

📚 Check out our selection of back-to-school jeans. From classic denim to trendy styles, we’ve got the perfect fit for every student. Every purchase supports our mission of helping those within the community thrive.

Gear up for success at school with incredible finds from your local Goodwill! 🎒

📅 Save the Date! Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Goodwill Gala on November 22, 2024!

This year's theme is "Forces for Good," where we celebrate the heroes among us and make a lasting impact. Clay Murphey, Chair Emeritus of the Goodwill of Middle Georgia Board, will be honored for over 30 years of support and dedication to our mission. We are proud to recognize SBG Wealth Management as the presenting sponsor for this year's Goodwill Gala, whose generous support helps make this event possible.

Your ticket price includes:
🍽️ All-you-can-enjoy food and drinks
🎵 Fantastic entertainment

Dress code: Black tie optional, superhero glam encouraged! 🦸‍♂️ 🦸‍♀️

🎟️ Secure your tickets today for a night of inspiration and support for Helms College scholarships and education initiatives. Don't miss this chance to be a force for good!

🔗 Purchase your tickets today at www.goodwillworks.org/gala

Thanks to the generous support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and The Yellow Glasses Project, we've received a grant of $9,915 aimed at enhancing our adult literacy programs! This funding will allow us to expand our GED and ESL initiatives across a 35-county area, providing crucial educational opportunities to non-native English speakers and many others.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to literacy, contributing over $10.6 million this year alone to support programs nationwide, impacting millions since 1993.

For more information about our GED or ESL programs, please reach out to Maria Mallar at [email protected] or visit goodwillworks.org/ged-program.

Goodwill delivered 144 new pillows to Brookdale Resource Center, a local transitional housing facility. These pillows were purchased by our generous customers during a recent Pillow Donation Drive at Goodwill Retail Stores in Macon. The pillows will provide much-needed comfort to the center’s residents.

Goodwill has partnered with Brookdale for over a year, offering career development, catered lunches, and a new monthly chapel service. Through our Good Samaritan program, Brookdale donates items from their donors, receiving vouchers in return for residents to shop with dignity at Goodwill.

“Sharing these new pillows with Brookdale Resource Center is especially meaningful to me,” said Brandi Hartness, Reg. Mgr. of Community Outreach, who organized the drive along with Christine Butler, VP of Retail Operations, Wanda Sinyard, Sr. Operations Manager, and the store managers. “A restful night’s sleep is important for everyone, and we are proud to offer this comfort to those in need.”

Interested in volunteering? https://www.goodwillworks.org/goodwill-works-foundation/volunteer/

Happy Father's Day! Today, we celebrate the fathers who have made a difference in our lives.

At Goodwill, we recognize the incredible impact teachers have on our communities. As a token of our appreciation, we're excited to offer a 20% Teacher Appreciation Discount on your next purchase! Please show your ID/badge to our staff to receive the discount.
*𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘺 26 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 1 𝘢𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘚𝘙𝘈 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

We had the honor of presenting to the Leadership Columbia County Class of 2024 for their Good Samaritan Donation Drive project. Through their hard work and dedication, they raised $4,000 in vouchers. These vouchers, split evenly at $2,000 each, were proudly presented to Hope House and Burn Foundation of America. These nonprofits will distribute the vouchers to the individuals they serve, providing much-needed support to those in our community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Leadership Columbia County Class of 2024 for their efforts, and to all the donors whose generosity made this possible. Your contributions are making a significant impact!

Our partnership with local nonprofits is a testament to the power of community collaboration. If your organization is interested in embarking on a similar project, we encourage you to reach out to Toney Cross at (706) 650-5760 or visit https://www.goodwillworks.org/goodwill-works-foundation/volunteer/ for more information.

Together, we can continue to make a difference! 💙

Last week was a week of celebration! Each year, during the first full week of May, over 150 Goodwill organizations worldwide come together to celebrate our collective mission of fortifying communities, breaking down barriers to opportunity, and empowering individuals in need to realize their full potential through education and employment.

This special week serves as a moment to honor the dedicated efforts of our employees, the cornerstone of our organization.

Many of you know Ms. Betty, a friendly face who's been keeping our aisles stocked and organized for over six years! Ms. Betty, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday on April 20th, started her Goodwill journey in 2018 as a part-time Retail Associate at our Eisenhower Store on the Macon Campus.

Since then, she's become a cherished member of the Goodwill family. Ms. Betty plays a vital role in ensuring our sales floor is always brimming with fresh finds, neatly presented for our treasure hunters.

To celebrate this milestone birthday, the store threw Ms. Betty a little party complete with cake and ice cream! Her dedication, positive spirit, and commitment to our mission are truly inspiring.

Happy birthday, Ms. Betty! We're so grateful to have you on our team. 🎉

It's National Volunteer Week, let's celebrate the incredible impact of volunteers! 🌟Today we're taking the time to recognize the incredible individuals who make Goodwill shine—our volunteers! To each and every one of our volunteers: thank you for your efforts and willingness to make a difference within the community. We are grateful for each and every one of you!

By volunteering with Goodwill, you're not only contributing your time but also becoming an agent of change, creating opportunities for those in need. Not sure where to start? Visit https://www.goodwillworks.org/volunteer/

Celebrate 🌎 at Goodwill! This week when you drop off your donated goods, you’ll receive $5 off your next purchase of $25 or more!

*𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙯 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

Did you know? Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area diverted over 14,365,171.33 pounds of goods from landfills in just one year!

At Goodwill, we help change lives. Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today at https://www.goodwillworks.org/work-at-goodwill/

Wilbert learned about Good Vocations by attending seminars hosted by Goodwill, and soon began his journey as a custodian.

“For over a decade, I’ve watched Wilbert grow as an individual, getting promoted to supervisor and then to Special Project Manager,” said Chris Finley, Goodwill’s Senior Director of Contract Services. “He now is not only responsible for half of the main base custodial contract, he also has developed himself to supervise people with disabilities, helping them reach their full potential.”

Team members appreciate Wilbert’s leadership style which encourages collaboration and teamwork.

Read more about Wilbert's journey and praise from his clients at Robins Air Force Base at https://www.goodvocations.goodwillworks.org/wilbert-johnson/

Spring into action by donating unwanted items to . When donating to Goodwill, you help generate employment opportunities for individuals within the local community!
Find a store near you: https://loom.ly/Ewo6j3s

We're stocked and ready! ⛳ We have golf memorabilia, tournament clothes, and decor — you don't want to miss it!

📍 Locations: Augusta Campus, Wrightsboro, North Augusta, Martinez, and Grovetown.
🏌🏽‍♂️ The sale will run as long as we have merchandise.

𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑠 – 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑗𝑜𝑏 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑠.

Tomorrow iconic golf apparel will be in stores. ⛳️

From sleek polos to cozy outerwear, our collection features various options to suit every taste and occasion. Don't wait. Items will sell out quickly.

𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝐶𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑠, 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑜 𝑅𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑧, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎.

Dectrick first joined the Fort Gordon team as a night stocker when he entered the Good Vocations program a decade ago. Over the years he has moved from stocker to custodian and is not afraid to take on new challenges. At the same time, Dectrick is navigating life as a single parent, and doing his best to balance homelife and work.

He’s learned to deal with his frustrations, both at home and on the job, one step at a time, working through each issue he faces thoroughly, so nothing is left incomplete. Read more about Dectrick's path to success and how Good Vocations empowers many like him to succeed at work and in life at https://loom.ly/wckqA4U

A BIG thank you to our sponsors Cox Media, Greater Career Works, Aspen Products Inc, CSL Plasma, Macon+Bibb County and to those who attended the MiGA Goodwill Spring Career and Resource Expo. We appreciate the community partners and employers who dedicated their time to meet and share their expertise with our attendees. Thank you!

Join us TOMORROW at the MiGA Goodwill Spring 2024 Career and Resource Expo at Anderson Conference Center!

Sponsored by Cox Media, Power 107.1, Greater Career Works, Aspen Products Inc, CSL Plasma, and Macon+Bibb County.

Meet with area employers ready to hire and explore resources available within your community.

Cherokee Brick | Pactiv Evergreen | Advance Auto Parts | Wise Staffing group | Hancock State Prison | Georgia Power – Plant Sherer | Integra Business Alternatives | Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc. | Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia | VoteRiders | River Edge Behavioral Health | Clean Control Corporation | Academy Sports + Outdoors | Truist | WorkSource Middle Georgia | Central Georgia Technical College - WIOA Program | Macon Vet Center | Macon Volunteer Clinic | Helms College | Helms Career Education | Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council Inc. | Randstad - Macon | YKK AP | Depaul USA Daybreak - Macon | Zebulon Park Health & Rehabilitation | Atrium Health Navicent GME Wellness