History, Mission, and Values

Our History
Goodwill Industries was founded in 1902, by Reverend Edgar Helms, a Methodist minister whose first assignment to preach was at Morgan Memorial located in the slums of South Boston. Surrounded by crime, vice and immigrants seeking the opportunities of a new country, Helms found that people could not hear the words of God over their overwhelming needs for food, shelter and work. So, in order to provide a means for people to earn money, learn meaningful job skills and gain self-respect, Helms walked door to door in the affluent neighborhoods of Boston with a burlap sack seeking clothing and other household items that people did not need.

With the goods he received, Helms took them back to his church and had people mend, repair and sell the donated items. The proceeds paid the workers wages, allowed individuals to learn job skills and the beginning of a worldwide movement began.

Today, Goodwill Industries International, Inc. is a network of 170 independent Goodwill organizations across North America. Goodwill Industries International also includes 21 affiliates operating in 18 foreign countries. Goodwill Industries International holds the distinction of being the world's largest provider of employment services to people with barriers to employment and is the world's largest private employer of people with disabilities.

Goodwill Industries of the Columbia, Inc. was originally established as a branch division of the Seattle Goodwill in 1961. The operation was located at 307 W. Columbia St. in downtown Pasco, a location still in use today as our main-plant facility where we dispatch all transportation and perform a majority of our processing of donated goods for our local stores. The branch operation prospered as a new expansion into our regional market and, in 1969, was granted permission to incorporate as an independent Goodwill member agency.

Goodwill Industries of the Columbia, Inc. is one of Eastern Washington's premier providers of services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. We are proud to continue this tradition of providing hope and dignity to all people through the power of work.

Our Mission
The mission of Goodwill Industries of the Columbia, Inc. is to provide services that help people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions achieve their highest level of employment.

Our Vision
To be the leader in employment and training services that create value for our stakeholders by leveraging resources and providing services relevant to community needs.

Our Values
Respect: We treat all people fairly without prejudice or judgment.
Integrity: We fulfill our commitments to our Agency, employees, customers and community.
Stewardship: We guide the affairs of our business responsibly in the best interest of our community.