About Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

Minister Edgar J. Helms founded Goodwill at the turn of the 20th century to support the unemployed immigrant population of Boston. He gathered unwanted household items and hired the immigrants to refurbish them for resale. Over time, the operation grew into a comprehensive job-skills training and placement program. In the past 90 years, Goodwill Industries has placed nearly 90,000 individuals into jobs.

The Reverend Dr. John E. Martin founded what would become Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit in 1921, focusing on supporting the elderly and those with physical disabilities. Today, the organization continues the work of addressing the root causes of poverty and dependence by providing job training and employment opportunities for individuals in need. In 2011, it provided employment and training services to 17,038 people in Metro Detroit.