The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday recognized Goodwill of North Georgia for a century of service, adding to the nonprofit’s growing list of accolades.
Commissioner Bob Ellis presented the organization with a proclamation declaring “Goodwill of North Georgia Appreciation Day.”
Founded in 1925 as Goodwill Industries of Atlanta, the nonprofit began in a small house on Edgewood Avenue. Today, its retail operation has grown to become a statewide leader.
In receiving the proclamation, Goodwill of North Georgia President and CEO Keith Parker said that in the state, the retail operation is bigger than Target.
“The funds that we receive from that operation… [have] turned into the biggest nonprofit workforce development organization in the state of Georgia,” he said.
The Fulton County honor follows statewide recognition earlier this summer. In June, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a commendation marking the organization’s 100 years, and the Georgia House of Representatives declared June 19 “Goodwill of North Georgia Day.”
Goodwill of North Georgia opened its first career center in 1995, launching workforce training programs that have since expanded to 14 locations across the region. Parker said the nonprofit now leads the nation in the percentage of trainees who secure permanent employment.
The organization has moved “50,000 [people] out of poverty into the working and middle class in the last six years,” Parker said.
In total, he noted, Goodwill has helped more than 125,000 North Georgians find jobs in recent years, investing over $100 million in those efforts.
“So when you are shopping or donate to a Goodwill… you are helping fund what is now the most successful nonprofit in the entire country,” Parker said.
