Day #95: Give with the Goodwill Career Center in Lexington, NC

Where does the money go from Goodwill's thrift stores? That is a question I have had for a long time. Today, we toured Goodwill's Career Center in Lexington.

There are 165 independent, community-based Goodwills in the United States and Canada that offer customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

The Lexington Career Center offers anyone 18 and older the use of fax machines, telephones, computers/internet, 1-on-1 coaching for writing resumes, career counseling, and GED classes - all for free. Additionally, the center offers unique job skill training and training partnerships with local businesses.

Interesting Fact: The Lexington Career Center only holds one fundraiser per year: a golf tournament. The rest of their funding comes primarily from grants and thrift store sales. Here is a good visual of their donation cycle.

Do you ever shop at thrift stores?

Our family spent 2011 traveling the USA in an RV, striving to intentionally "give every day" for the glory of God. We interviewed CEOs of nonprofits and served alongside over 40 organizations and churches.

Our Pledge

We hereby pledge:

- To spend intimate, quantity time with our family.
- To actively help the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the helpless.
- To value, protect, and advocate for children.
- To de-emphasize the importance of “stuff” in our lives.
- To bring publicity to good causes and good people.
- To live with intentionality, as if this year was our very last.
- To observe the needs in our country/community – and then do something about them.
- To give – every day.