Frequently Asked Questions

  People ask many questions about Goodwill and its work. On this page we have answered the questions which are asked most often. We hope the answers will help you understand what Goodwill is and does.

Goodwill provides job training, education and employment to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, helping them to reach their fullest potential in supporting themselves and their families. Goodwill also provides barrier-free apartment complexes in which elderly individuals and people with disabilities can live independently.

In 1902, a young minister in Boston, Dr. Edgar J. Helms, organized a service providing employment and job training for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. His slogan was "Not charity, but a chance." In time, the new organization became known as Goodwill Industries. Today Goodwill has autonomous facilities throughout the world. Each is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Goodwill - Big Bend was started in Tallahassee in 1965.

Through Goodwill's Career Development Centers, individuals with special employment needs are given individual counseling, Adult Basic Education and G.E.D preparation, temporary part-time employment and job placement. They also learn appropriate work behaviors such as coming to work on time and following instruction as well as job search and interviewing skills.

Besides placing people in jobs in the community, Goodwill also hires people with barriers to employment. Approximately 80% of our employees have disabilities, lack education and work skills or have some medical problem that makes it difficult for them to find jobs. Goodwill offers training to help people secure jobs in the community.

Goodwill also has apartment complexes for people with disabilities. See Apartments.

To be eligible for service, a person must be at least 16 years of age. Individuals may apply for the Career Development Program or for any job vacancy at Goodwill - Big Bend's main facility at 300 Mabry Street in Tallahassee, Gulf Coast Division at 3207 East Fourth Street in Panama City or any Career Development Center listed under Job Services. Participants are also referred through other agencies.

Goodwill - Big Bend has facilities in Tallahassee, Panama City and Thomasville.

We need sellable furniture, appliances and other household items such as dishes, tools, linens, shoes, games, jewelry, computers, electronic items and knick knacks. We also need all sizes of clothing. Donations of cash, property and other valuables are also needed.

We can only use sellable items. Sometimes the average cost of handling and repair is greater than the price we could get for the item. It costs us precious dollars to sort and dispose of unusable materials. These dollars could provide more training for people with disabilities.

You can take donations to the Goodwill workshops in Tallahassee or Panama City, or to any Goodwill store or donation center. House pick-ups will be made within Tallahassee, Panama City or Crestview city limits or Okaloosa and Walton Counties for donations of large items. We ask that donations not be left unattended outside stores where they can be stolen or weather damaged. Checks may be mailed to 300 Mabry Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304. Receipts for tax deductions are available for all donations.

To make a profit means in the traditional business sense that someone receives a dividend or monetary reward. This does not apply in the case of a non-profit organization. However, we certainly try to operate with a balanced budget, otherwise, like any other business, we could experience financial problems and even go bankrupt.

Our labor is not cheap. All of our employees are paid minimum wage or higher. Skilled workers in Goodwill plants earn wages which are competitive with the general labor market. Employees receive health, dental and life insurance and paid vacations and holidays.

Goodwill is funded mainly through store sales of donated merchandise. Cash contributions and grants fund capital needs and special projects. Our apartments operate on rents collected and subsidies.

Goodwill serves the community in many ways. For example, many persons with disabilities who otherwise might be on welfare are earning money on which they, too, pay income taxes. They spend locally for many products and services. Goodwill is a source of trained manpower for the community. Goodwill is helping to ease the welfare burden.