Goodwill is more than just a thrift store. Here are five reasons why

For the first time in 50 years, Goodwill is reimagining its mission and casting a new vision for the community.

The reason: Goodwill is known for helping people find work, the focus of its mission statement 50 years ago. But a lot has changed since then, and what the nonprofit does now includes a broader goal of providing tools, resources, support and guidance to help people in the community.

Here’s how: They’ve added programs to help people uncover their passions, enhance their skill sets, and achieve more for themselves and their families.

• Donations and shopping at Goodwill make it possible to provide this support to people free of charge.

Equity is also a major motivator: Goodwill acknowledges that systems in place affect different members of the community differently, so they’re bringing other organizations and employers together to advance equitable access to career opportunities for all.

• The goal is to ensure that everybody knows what Goodwill does for the community and how they can get involved.

Here are five things to know about Goodwill. 

(1) There are 25 retail locations in the region to shop at

Shopping at Goodwill is good for the community, the environment, your closet, and your wallet. You can find everything, from clothes to furniture to workout equipment to collectibles, at Goodwill locations around the city.

Thrifting is back in a big way and projections show it growing even more.

Key numbers:

• 36 billion pieces of clothing are thrown away in the U.S. each year.
• Secondhand is expected to be 2x bigger than fast fashion by 2030.
• More than 40% of millennials and Gen Z shoppers have shopped secondhand apparel, shoes, or accessories in the past 12 months.

(2) Donations and shopping keep Goodwill services free

You can donate your stuff to Goodwill stores to give them a second life and help power the programs that Goodwill offers to the community.

• Next time you’re downsizing or cleaning, find one of 30 donation centers near you.

Last year, Goodwill helped 697+ people launch new careers, provided coaching to 1,381 individuals and helped 397 people complete skills training.

(3) Goodwill has an Opportunity Campus and a Construction Skills Training Center in Charlotte

The Goodwill Opportunity Campus in west Charlotte was created to bring key resources together under one roof.

It’s home to Goodwill University, where people can take free courses in areas like IT, computer skills and customer service.

• The Career Employment Center, where people can work with a job coach or find a job through the GoodWork staffing company, is here too.

At the nearby Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center, people can earn in-demand skills and connect with hiring employers to launch careers in the trades.

(4) Goodwill’s technology store is reopening soon in a new location

The GRID: Powered by Goodwill, a technology store, is moving to a new location at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus on Wilkinson Blvd this November

The GRID sells new, refurbished and donated products at Goodwill prices, including computers, video games, parts, accessories and drones.

• When you donate electronics to Goodwill, they’re either refurbished and resold at The GRID, or recycled responsibly.

You can also shop the GRID online.

(5) There’s also a Goodwill boutique in South End

The GW boutique in LoSo is not your average thrift store – it’s a specialty store curated for fashion-focused shoppers.

Fun fact: GW first opened as a pop-up in 2015 at EpiCentre. Shoppers enjoyed it so much that they decided to open a permanent location.

Want to get involved? Learn more about Goodwill’s mission and find a location near you.

This content was produced in partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.