Washington, DC – Every year during the first full week of May, Goodwill organizations across the United States and Canada celebrate Goodwill Industries Week to highlight the Goodwill mission — transforming lives and communities through the power of education and employment. This year, Goodwill Industries Week runs May 5 - 11.

Throughout the week, local Goodwill organizations will host events like job fairs, tours of career centers, awards ceremonies, retail store promotions, and other donor and customer appreciation events.

Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) is celebrating Goodwill Industries Week by looking inward and taking time to recognize its 1,000+ team members across its 22 retail stores, 9 government contract sites, two charter high schools, sustainability center, administrative team, and of course its mission services operation. Throughout the week Goodwill will highlight employees and their personal stories of success via the organization’s social media channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, sharing the wonderful people, personalities, and cultures that make up the diverse nonprofit social enterprise that serves the greater Washington, DC region.

“Goodwill of Greater Washington is an amazing place to work and grow, and Goodwill Industries Week provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate together”, said Brendan Hurley, Goodwill’s Chief of Collaboration, Communications, and Marketing. “We continue to focus on greater recognition of our team members while providing them with more opportunities for career growth both inside and outside our Goodwill.”

Local Goodwill organizations first celebrated Goodwill Industries Week in May 1951 as a way to educate people about the Goodwill mission, defined at that time as, “helping people with disabilities help themselves.”

Today, Goodwill serves anyone facing barriers to employment, including people with disabilities and disadvantages, older workers, youth, veterans and military families, new immigrants, and people reintegrating back into society from the justice system. Goodwill helps any individual, regardless of education level or economic background, achieve self-sufficiency through the power of education and employment.

Ninety-four cents of Goodwill funds expended goes to direct mission program support.

For additional information on Goodwill Industries Week or Goodwill of Greater Washington, visit facebook.com/dcgoodwill.

About Goodwill of Greater Washington:

Goodwill transforms lives and communities through the power of education and employment.