THE BEGINNING OF GOODWILL

Goodwill Industries was founded in 1902 by Dr. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister who believed that meaningful work could change lives. While working in Boston’s South End, Dr. Helms saw many immigrants struggling to support themselves and their families.

His solution was simple but powerful. Community members donated clothing and household goods, which were then repaired and resold by people who needed work. The proceeds from those sales helped provide wages and job training, creating opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives.

This innovative approach became the foundation of the Goodwill movement, which continues to empower individuals through the power of work.

GOODWILL IN LANE AND SOUTH COAST COUNTIES

Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties has served the region for more than 50 years. The organization began in 1954 as a joint effort between the Eugene Rotary Club and the Eugene Women’s League to bring Goodwill’s mission to the local community.

Goodwill opened its first retail store in Eugene in 1958, located at 32 East 11th Street, and officially incorporated as an independent Goodwill organization in 1968.

Under the leadership of Harold Thorin, who served as president and CEO until 1981, Goodwill expanded its retail operations and community services. As community support grew, additional stores and programs were developed to meet the needs of local residents.

Since then, the organization has continued to grow, expanding its services, programs, and retail locations throughout the region.

GROWTH AND EXPANSION

With Jim Martin as the President and CEO, in 2014 Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties expanded its mission services by establishing its first Job Connections center in Anchorage, Alaska. This expansion continued in 2016 with the opening of the first retail store and donation center in Anchorage. Goodwill further extended its operations beyond Oregon by opening a second location in Anchorage, and a third location in Wasilla, Alaska, in 2021.

GOODWILL TODAY

Goodwill is led by president and CEO Jim Martin, who continues to guide the organization’s mission of providing vocational opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment.

Goodwill’s impact continues to grow. In 2025, the organization:

• Employed 528 team members
• Provided vocational training services to more than 2,800 individuals

Through its thrift stores, donation centers, and programs, Goodwill continues to create opportunities that help individuals gain skills, find employment, and achieve greater independence.

For more than a century, Goodwill has believed that work creates opportunity. Donations and purchases at local Goodwill thrift stores help fund job training, employment services, and community programs that strengthen lives across Lane County and the southern Oregon coast.

Thanks to the continued support of the community, Goodwill remains committed to helping individuals build brighter futures through the power of work.