Goodwill re-launches with 4 stores

 Media Release

Edmonton, AB (May 14, 2020) – A new standard is upon us as we ease back into societal norms. Together we continue to rally to overcome an unforeseen obstacle as we revive what was temporarily lost. This has meant adjustments and obligations towards the health and safety of our community. A healthy community is a functioning community.

On Saturday May 16, 2020, Goodwill is taking steps to re-launch the organization by opening select thrift retail operations. We will be re-opening thrift store locations in Grande Prairie, Trans Canada and Beacon Heights in Calgary and SouthPark in Edmonton. Measures to slowly re-open our thrift stores are done ensuring the health and well-being of our clients, donors, shoppers, volunteers and employees. Stores will operate from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

While other Goodwill thrift retail stores will relaunch at a later date, this is a large step to bring back an organization that has helped so many through the power of work as 89% of funds raised from purchases at Goodwill go back into programs to help those with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment.

Kevin Macdonald, Chair of the Board of Directors, is happy to have people return to work.

“Thanks to our community we have become an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise, who is now one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in Alberta. Many of our team members, shoppers, volunteers and donors are our friends. They are our family.”

President and CEO Dale Monaghan is proud to relaunch the social enterprise, helping to strengthen lives for the better.

“There are for-profit organizations and there are not-for-profit organizations. I am proud to refer to Goodwill as a FOR-IMPACT organization.”

About 30% of Goodwill’s 750 employees has a disability and 89% of funds raised from your donation goes into programs that will help those with disability find a meaningful job.

Monaghan continues, “I cannot say thank you enough to the hundreds of thousands of Albertans who regularly support Goodwill. Together we are carrying the torch of so many, as we change lives for the better.”

Policies will be in place for Goodwill’s thrift retail stores, including but not limited to:

• Sneeze guards at the check-outs
• Physical Distancing measures
• Maximum occupancy limits
• Employees wearing COVID related personal protective equipment
• No contact donation drop-offs
• Disinfecting and sanitizing all donations upon arrival in partnership with True North Environmental Solutions.

The world has changed, but our community hasn’t. Our province continues to share goodness to our fellow neighbours who are quarantined. We continue to deliver good vibes throughout our cities. We give when we are struggling. We help when we need help the most. Together, we are spreading the good.

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About Goodwill Industries of Alberta: Creating positive change since 1963, Goodwill’s mission is to provide Albertans with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. Goodwill Alberta is one of the largest employers of Albertans with disabilities; 30% of Goodwill employees have a self-disclosed disability. We provide employment opportunities in our thrift stores and an accommodating work environment for Albertans with disabilities in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Grand Prairie, Calgary and Airdrie. Our Edmonton based Career Connections program has been providing employment coaching, job search, and training to individuals with developmental disabilities for decades. The success of Goodwill’s retail operations revolves around the generosity of people in our community choosing to donate to Goodwill and shop at our thrift stores. Every year over one million Albertans shop at Goodwill, and more than 700,000 Albertans donate to Goodwill; 89.2% of all revenues go back into our mission and remains in Alberta. We are also a major recycler of a growing range of donated items; we recycle more than 13 million kg every year.  We are a donor-driven charitable society and we’ve been proudly serving Albertans for nearly 60 years.