Our History

Since its founding in 1948, Goodwill Industries of El Paso has helped individuals with disabilities or vocational disadvantages help themselves through Goodwill’s philosophy of giving a “hand up, not a hand-out.” Achieving self-sufficiency is at the heart of our mission.

We are one of more than 160 independent Goodwills in the United States, all of which are member organizations in Goodwill Industries International.In the early 1900s, Edgar J. Helms, our founder, described Goodwill as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training, and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.”

Goodwill Industries of El Paso today continues its original mission as a social service provider, a significant retailer in El Paso, Dona Ana, and Otero counties, and a long-time premier recycler diverting millions of pounds from our landfills…even before “going green” was part of our vocabulary! We work with diverse groups of people by equipping them with the skills and confidence to begin life on their own independently, responsibly, and with self-sufficiency.

Together we can increase our outreach to those in need as we make life better through work.

Where Will Your Donation Go?

1. To support the creation of more Employee Development Service partnerships with our local school districts and educational entities benefiting special education high school students who are ageing out of high school and our ability to provide these services free of charge to both students and partner school districts.
2. To support the enhancement of current Job-Link Centers and the creation of new Job-Link Centers accessible to any member of the public who needs them free of charge.
3. To support our continuing effort to educate the public about the services we provide.
4. To enhancing our ability to make a positive and profound difference in the communities we serve.