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Celebrating 100 Years of Good

From Modest Beginnings to Major Impact

In 1925, a group of dedicated citizens in Atlanta launched a mission of hope and opportunity from a modest storefront on Edgewood Avenue. With a horse-drawn carriage and a commitment to service, Goodwill of North Georgia began collecting and mending used goods to support those in need. A century later, that humble beginning has grown into a transformative force across the state.

Celebrate the journey—past, present, and future—by watching our 100th Anniversary documentary series. Catch up on episodes and discover the story of Goodwill of North Georgia: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Watch the Latest Episode

A Century of Impact

Goodwill of North Georgia stands as a beacon of empowerment.

For 100 years, the organization has been a catalyst for positive change, helping millions of individuals achieve economic independence and dignity through work.

Helping Local Job Seekers

Our mission has led to over 300,000 job placements in fields ranging from logistics and welding to highway construction and entrepreneurship.

A Job, A Better Job, A Career

Over the past 100 years, we've helped more than 700,000 Georgians on their path to employment.

Empowering Communities North Georgia

With 70 retail stores, 14 career centers, a mobile career center, and 45 attended donation centers, the organization now employs over 3,600 team members and welcomes more than 7 million guests annually.

Doing Good For All of Georgia

Our stores and career centers and workforce development programs have helped to generate nearly $1 billion in economic impact for Georgia each year.

Helping Local Job Seekers

Our mission has led to over 300,000 job placements in fields ranging from logistics and welding to highway construction and entrepreneurship.

A Job, A Better Job, A Career

Over the past 100 years, we've helped more than 700,000 Georgians on their path to employment.

Empowering Communities North Georgia

Doing Good For All of Georgia

Our stores and career centers and workforce development programs have helped to generate nearly $1 billion in economic impact for Georgia each year.

Join in the Celebration!

Shop 100th Anniversary Merch

Mark our anniversary with special merchandise. From hoodies to tote bags, each item celebrates our rich history and impact.

Shop Merch

Come Out To Our Events

We’re hosting a yearlong celebration of events across North Georgia and the communities we serve.

Learn More

Join the Savvy Shoppers Club

To mark our anniversary, we launched a new loyalty program for shoppers. Members earn points toward rewards every time they shop.

Future Vision

Beyond job placement, Goodwill is looking to the future. Its strategic goals include expanding workforce training in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and clean technology, serving an additional 155,000 jobseekers by 2030, and enhancing sustainability by diverting over 40 million pounds of goods from landfills annually.

As it marks a century of service, Goodwill of North Georgia remains committed to innovation, inclusion, and economic mobility. From its roots in community compassion to its role as a statewide leader in workforce development, Goodwill’s legacy is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering dedication to putting people to work.

Team members with clean tech participants

Our Success Stories See All Success Stories Details

Meet Diego Hernandez-Millan

A native of Puerto Rico, Diego Hernandez-Millan spent much of his childhood living in Pennsylvania before his family relocated to Georgia in search of better educational opportunities. His parents and older siblings sought job search assistance at the Cartersville Career Center and in 2019, when Diego turned 16, he visited the center looking for his first job.

Meet Micah Young

At 23 years old, Micah Young has demonstrated that she’s a hard worker. She’s had retail jobs at Ingles and Walmart, and obtained warehouse experience working at Chico’s. She was working as a label creator at Staff Right in May 2020, when she decided to stop by Goodwill’s East Athens Career Center for help with completing her resume.

Meet Robin Renae Harkins

Robin Renae Harkins came to Cornelia’s Goodwill Career Center in May 2021. Her aunt, a Goodwill program graduate, suggested that she might benefit from the agency’s programs. With funding provided by SNAP E&T, Robin enrolled in the Retail Customer Service program.

Meet Eduardo Southerland

In February 2019, Eduardo Southerland’s GVRA counselor referred him to Goodwill’s Oakwood Career Center. The Flowery Branch native graduated from North Hall High School in 1998 and spent the next 18 years working for The Gainesville Times, where he mailed newspapers to subscribers. After leaving the newspaper, Eduardo spent a year as a bagger at Publix. As 2018 drew to a close, he was interested in pursuing employment with better compensation.

Meet Antonious Powell

Antonious Powell had been managing his own business, a mobile car wash lab. With weather and the number of customers being unpredictable, Antonious decided it was time to pursue a different career path. He wanted a stable career where he could have financial security but had been out of school for a while and was not sure how he could obtain the necessary education and training to move into a new career. Money was limited and paying for school was not an option.

Meet Radhika Tripurani

Radhika spent many years working in the marketing department of a small, local travel firm. During the pandemic, travel traffic demand drastically declined. Like many others, this resulted in Radhika being laid off. Determined to never be in a position where she could be laid off again, Radhika decided to pivot into a new career in technology.

Meet Maxon Smith

In April 2021, Maxson Smith’s Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) counselor referred him to Goodwill’s Woodstock Career Center. At 22 years old, he wanted to overcome his challenges and join the workforce.

Meet Xavier Wright

Xavier Wright, a native of Elberton, joined the Army after completing high school. After serving in the Army, he settled in Athens in 2016 and began searching for job opportunities nearby. His search led him to South Carolina, where he believed he would find better jobs with higher wages.

Meet Elida Cortes

In June 2021, Elida Cortes was referred to Goodwill’s Decatur Career Center by her Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) counselor. At 32-years-old, Elida had never worked before and was eager to find a job.