Goodwill/Easter Seals

The primary mission of Goodwill is to help people attain the skills they need to become successful members of the workforce.

Description:
Goodwill Industries operates under the philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out." More than eight out of ten people who come to Goodwill for help are low-income or welfare-dependent, including those with a criminal record. Often, people face a variety of barriers that stand in the way of finding a job and advancing their careers.

History:
Since the organization was formed, Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota has provided innovative services for people with barriers to employment, education and independence. Founded by Rev. Herbert Burgstahler and a group of community and business leaders, Goodwill Industries of St. Paul began operating in the Church of the Good Shephard in 1919.

Goodwill Donation Truck

In 1984, Goodwill joined the National Easter Seals Society to become its Minnesota affiliate and was renamed Goodwill Industries, Inc./Easter Seals Society of Minnesota. The merger combined the best resources of both national organizations to offer job training, placement and related services.

Today, Goodwill/Easter Seals offers workforce development services at seven sites throughout Minnesota: Apple Valley, Elk River, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Willmar. Each year, we help more than 10,000 people with disabilities and other social and economic disadvantages develop and reach their employment goals in the automotive, banking, construction and retail industries.

We also operate 15 retail stores and donation centers throughout Minnesota along with an Outlet store and boutique. Donations and purchases of "gently used goods" at these locations help support our workforce development programs.

Contact person: Jim Churchill, General Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (651) 379-5803

Address:

239 28th Street South East
Rochester, MN 55901
(See a map)

Web Site: http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org

Last updated on September 1, 2009

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