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A test check of 70 local organizations indicates that during the last payroll period of December, 1942, there were 5,018 different persons employed. Of this number 31.3% were disabled by orthopedic or health disabilities, 10.2% handicapped by impaired vision, hearing, or speech, 28.1% were limited in employability by age or infirmity, 10.9% required service in Sheltered Workshops because of mental, emotional, and nervous and social difficulties, and 19.5% were non-handicapped persons requiring only interim employment or training for other work opportunities.

Goodwill Aids the War Effort

IN addition to developing employment opportunities through discarded materials, a number of local units are now doing assembly work for war industries, manufacturing furniture for use of the Armed Forces, sorting rivets and washers for aircraft industries, and other types of work.

Meeting the demands of the war effort has provided a fine demonstration of the efficiency of the Goodwill Industries' training in aiding the handicapped to adapt themselves to industry. Formerly employers might hesitate to hire a crippled person, but the manpower shortage left him no other choice. Now, frequently they are amazed at the skill of these new workers. In overcoming his physical and other difficulties, the handicapped person often acquires unusual patience, so vital to precision war work. The handicapped worker is patriotic but unable to serve in the military field. While aiding in the war effort, he gains confidence and contentment of far more value to him than monetary considerations. In his own way, he is serving the country he loves.

For the first time in his life he is on an equal footing with his fellow men. Consequently, an important step toward mental readjustment is achieved.

While providing increased employment opportunities for the handicapped, the war has brought these organizations serious manpower problems. Executives, Staff and key workers, required for supervising and training the opportunity workers, are leaving for military and other emergency services at a time when there is greater need for able leadership. Thus, our agencies must recruit and develop specialized leadership at a time when there is a smaller potential supply of such leadership available than at any period in the history of the movement.

An Appreciation of Local Organizations

THE National Goodwill Industries organizations appreciate the increased service of local Executives and Staff workers as they have extended the work of their own enterprises, have aided other local Goodwill Industries and assisted in the extension of movement as a whole. The assistance of the more than 2,000 men and women who serve on the Boards of Directors of local organizations, giving their time, money, experience and prestige to aid the handicapped, is deeply appreciated for they, too, through their work and influence are aiding in the total development of the movement.

It is the purpose of the National Association of Goodwill Industries and the Department of Goodwill Industries of the Methodist Church to establish Goodwill Industries in new centers, to establish standards for the operation and service of all centers, to recruit and train leadership for the management of local enterprises, and to give counsel in operations and service.

Twenty years ago the Division of Home Missions of the Methodist Church donated approximately $1,000,000 to assist in the establishment of Goodwill Industries in a number of American Cities. Community-minded citizens in other cities, inspired by the operation of these centers, established the Industries in their own cities, frequently with, but sometimes without, Methodist sponsorship.

The Department of Goodwill Industries of the Methodist Church soon recognized the need for an Association with which all local Goodwill Industries might affiliate for mutual helpfulness, establishments of standards, and the development of trained leadership, regardless of the auspices under which they had been developed. The National Association became an active national organization in 1933, and since then the Association and the Department have worked closely, conducting many services jointly and complementing each other.

Goodwill Industries Service Available to Any Handicapped

WHILE the many Goodwill Industries were organized under the leadership of the Methodist Church, all serve persons regardless of race, creed, or nationality. The contributions of material and money which make the undertaking possible are given by people of the total community. Almost without exception the governing Boards of local Goodwill Industries include persons of various faiths.

The physical handicap of a person is just as serious whether he is a Protestant, Catholic, Jew, or unchurched. The amount of work afforded by discarded materials is not determined by the donor's religion. Members of Boards of Directors are interested in aiding disadvantaged persons and are not influenced by the creed of the persons in need. Jesus encouraged his followers to help all persons in distress. Paul was all things to all men. All great Church leaders recognize the fellowship of suffering and though there may be differences in doctrines there are no differences in their desire to serve the less fortunate.