Senate Leader Atkins Names Goodwill Industries of San Diego County as Senate District 39’s 2023 Nonprofit of the Year
SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) is recognizing Goodwill Industries of San Diego County today as the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for the 39th Senate District.
“Many of us are familiar with Goodwill, but I was impressed to learn of the scope of their work. Each year, Goodwill San Diego hires hundreds of employees that face barriers to employment and teaches them life skills to help them on the road to self-sufficiency,” said Senate Leader Atkins. “I applaud Goodwill on their mission, wish them continued success, and encourage the community to support their programs.”
Goodwill San Diego, which was founded in 1930, provides employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to aid them in their goal of self-sufficiency. Among those in most need are people whose job options are limited due to lack of work experience, criminal past, lack of shelter, prior history of drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness and residents or community members with developmental, intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
Goodwill San Diego programs include:
- Five community employment centers to help job seekers.
- Specialized job training.
- Employment services for at-risk youth.
- Support for military veterans and their families to find employment and successfully transition to civilian life.
- Assistance for those who receive Social Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance to secure employment.
In 2022, Goodwill San Diego employed almost 1,600 individuals, over half of whom were people with disabilities or barriers to employment, and assisted 5,330 San Diego County community members. Through the collection of donated items, Goodwill San Diego diverted over 65 million pounds of materials from landfills, and almost 6 million pounds of electronics were recycled.
“We are honored and grateful to be recognized by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins as a 2023 Nonprofit of the Year,” said Robert Russell, Goodwill San Diego Board Chair. “We appreciate the award she has given Goodwill San Diego and the acknowledgement of the work we do on behalf of people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.”
Goodwill San Diego operates 28 retail stores throughout the county and provides an inclusive, nurturing environment full of development opportunities for its ambassadors (employees).
“We are deeply humbled to for this recognition,” said Toni Giffin, Goodwill San Diego President and CEO. “The career services we provide to San Diego County residents in need of soft skills training, job search assistance, and connections to services to support their career choice are available at our five Goodwill Community Employment Centers. Our social enterprise also offers employment opportunities and on the job training, including a Career Pathway Program to advance careers. With recognition and support from the State of California and Senator Atkins’ office, and collaboration with many community partners, we are confident we can improve lives, strengthen families, and build healthy communities."
The California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonProfits), a statewide alliance of over 10,000 members that brings nonprofits together to advocate for the communities they serve, is hosting a special awards event in Sacramento today to recognize all of the nonprofits selected by members of the California Legislature.
“When anyone talks about delivering meals to seniors, inspiring with music, protecting fresh water, educating children, championing the disadvantaged, speaking out for human rights, caring for animals . . . they are talking about work that nonprofits do,” noted Jan Masaoka, CEO of the CalNonprofits. “California Nonprofit of the Year gives elected leaders the opportunity to shine a light on what nonprofits are accomplishing for the people in their districts and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits across our state.”
For more information on Goodwill Industries of San Diego County visit their website at sdgoodwill.org
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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins