Library Collections: Document: Full Text

The coming of age of Goodwill Industries of America in 1946 coincided with growing national consciousness of the needs of handicapped and disabled persons. At both national and local levels, the Goodwill Way of serving the handicapped has progressed during the past year.

Nationally, completion of a headquarters separate from any local Industries and organization of a well-qualified staff were accomplished. Even the name was changed!

Formerly "National Association of Goodwill Industries," the name is now "Goodwill Industries of America, Incorporated." While the voluntary affiliation of autonomous local Industries is not affected, a new national movement consciousness is implied in the new name. Goodwill Industries of America, no mere association of scattered enterprises, is a national movement serving a national need.

Fitting National Resources into Local Needs

Without denying their vigorous, wholesome local autonomy, Goodwill Industries since the start of the Goodwill movement forty-five years ago have needed competent national representation and service. The national organization was incorporated within the first decade of Goodwill Industries history.

In 1946, conditions were right for completing the long awaited national program outlines. The movement as a whole and the local Industries shared benefits as the national program advanced.

The services of the Executive Secretary were extended in 1946 by completing a staff, administrative assistant, supervisor of field services, and director of promotion and information. New national headquarters and office help enabled the national staff to meet specific service requests of member Industries as well as to initiate nation-wide service projects.

An alert Board of Directors with active advisory committees stimulated the progress achieved in 1946 and generously supported the staff. The continuing interest and support of the Methodist Church permitted new Industries development and leadership training work.

The National Institute at Dallas early in the year was followed by Industries Development Committee "Clinic" programs for small Industries. Industries small and large shared in the Rehabilitation and Personnel Management Conference in Detroit, and in other projects of the national staff and the Board of Directors.

Yesterday: An Ideal

1902
First Goodwill Industries activities begun in Boston.

1905
Morgan Memorial Cooperative Goodwill Industries and Stores, Incorporated.

1910
National organization launched under Massachusetts Charter.

1915-1935
Goodwill Industries developed in ninety-five cities in America and in seventeen cities in other lands.

1934
Active National Association begun under 1910 Charter.

1944
National program and objectives determined at Chicago Institute.

1946
National organization becomes "Goodwill Industries of America" with complete staff and headquarters.

Dr. Edgar J. Helms, young, idealistic, energetic, socially-minded minister, was years ahead of modern medicine and psychology when he took up the challenge of Boston's miserable South-End slums and founded Goodwill Industries in 1902. Dr. Helms, a preacher, recognized the therapeutic value of work. He saw in a job the first step in returning society's outcasts to normal, useful, happy community living.

The idea of Goodwill Industries has grown. It has changed with changing social conditions in the communities it has served. With the economically handicapped being served through other channels, Goodwill Industries have followed the leadership of its founder in developing a program of rehabilitation for the physically, mentally, and socially handicapped.

Through the changes in program evolved since 1902, Goodwill Industries have retained the idealism of their founder. For Dr. Helms, the man, not the material, was the measure of service.

The principal product of Goodwill Industries in our day is no commodity. It is life. Life itself! New opportunities for men and women striving to cultivate the "abilities" that lie latent in their "disabilities." The development of the total personality has always been the goal of Goodwill.

The vision of Dr. Helms has grown into a nationally, even internationally, recognized social service organization. It is still, as Dr. Helms once said, a social service-plus! A business-plus! A religious work-plus! That PLUS is the Goodwill Way. Plus: the idealism Dr. Helms applied to his life work.

Today: Serving the Needs of a Nation

There are ninety-three autonomous local Goodwill Industries in the United States and Canada. Eighty-five are members of Goodwill Industries of America. During 1946, member Industries ...

Provided 17,000 Jobs

Paid "Opportunity Wages" of $5,500,000

Reconditioned Six Million Discards

Cooperated with State Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Veterans Administration in Training the Handicapped Earned the Recognition of National Public and Private Rehabilitation Agencies

PURPOSES

Be dissatisfied with your work until every handicapped and unfortunate person in your community has an opportunity to develop to his fullest usefulness and enjoy a maximum of abundant living.
Edgar J. Helms