History

In 1925 a group of concerned citizens met in West Springfield, Massachusetts to discuss the need and desirability of a Goodwill Industries in the area. The original Goodwill was founded 23 years earlier in Boston by the Rev. Edgar Helms to help people who were down and out by providing "not charity, but a chance."

As a result of that meeting, Goodwill Industries in the Springfield area was established in 1925.

Until the 1950’s the major activity of Goodwill was employing people who were unemployed or disadvantaged to collect, repair, clean and sell donated clothing. Then the emphasis gradually shifted to serving people who were disabled by providing job training, placement and sheltered workshop employment.

A national office was established to help to enhance coordination of services among the numerous Goodwills that arose throughout the country. Our "territory", as assigned by the national office, included Western Massachusetts and North Central Connecticut, and in 1980 a major division was opened in Hartford.

Goodwill’s mission is to create a better community through partnerships in employment, education and life enrichment.