About Us

The mission of Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona has always been to provide a “hand up” to those looking to provide a better life for themselves and their families. We believe that jobs are transformational; they can strengthen both the community and families through the POWER OF WORK.

In 1969, Goodwill® opened its program doors to provide adults with severe disabilities a place to work. Participants in the Morse Business Center assisted the local business community with helping to create packaging for auto parts, computing equipment, and assembling medical items. As contracts dwindled, Goodwill® transitioned participants over to work within our E-commerce departments. Participants started by processing donated books in preparation for online sales as well as working in our retail stores.

In the early 2000s, we opened Career Centers in our retail thrift stores to provide a place where people seeking employment could have access to resources and training. This program is fully funded by Goodwill’s retail sales. As of today there are six Job Connection Center locations spread throughout Southern Arizona.

• Tucson – 4 Job Connection Centers
• Sierra Vista – 1
• Casa Grande – 1

Goodwill® of Southern Arizona hosts 12 local programs for individuals in our community. All of our services are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support from our community and funding from trusted donors, community partners and municipalities. With 6 programs for both youth and adults, our goal as a workforce development nonprofit is to offer skills and training to help individuals find long-term and life changing employment. This past year our Career Centers and Metro Youth Centers hosted over 15,000 visits. Our youth centers provide a safe space for young people to pursue their goals in education, employment, and overall, well-being. The centers offer, tutoring, academic resources (GED or Online HS) , Case management, bereavement support, peer support and one on one support networks and more. Learn more at GoodwillSouthernAZ.org/Metro

Our programming efforts in Southern Arizona also include ReEntry services for both youth and adults. Our Reentry staff works hard to offer, individuals with past justice system involvement, a bridge back into gainful employment and stability. Many of our participants are just looking for a fair opportunity, in 2019, our Adult Reentry Program was named the program of the year by the Second Chance Coalition.

Additionally, Goodwill of Southern Arizona employs hundreds of youth each year. Providing summer and after school jobs, skills training, service learning and other work placement opportunities. For adults, we also offer group supported employment opportunities. All of our supported employment positions offer full competitive wages and are supported by highly trained and motivated job coaches.

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION!

Did you know, Goodwill is largest non-governmental reclycer in the world. Worldwide, the Goodwill network recycles billions of pounds of goods each year. Here in Southern Arizona, we diverted over 36 million pounds of goods from entering into our local landfills and we helped conserve countless resources and materials by helping our community reduce, reuse and recycle in a safe and responsible manner.