| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio is celebrating |
|
|
its 80th anniversary in 2025, providing a fitting opportunity to |
|
|
recognize the organization for its myriad contributions; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Goodwill San Antonio traces its origins to 1945, |
|
|
when it was launched amid the city's post-World War II rebuilding |
|
|
efforts; founded by a group of prominent business, religious, and |
|
|
civic leaders, the organization began with an initial investment |
|
|
goal of $25,000 and a commitment to provide workforce development |
|
|
opportunities to individuals facing employment barriers; its first |
|
|
store opened on the city's Southside in 1946, and 18 of its 22 |
|
|
employees were Purple Heart war veterans; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Over the past eight decades, Goodwill San Antonio |
|
|
has become one of the largest and most highly regarded workforce |
|
|
development training providers in Southwest Texas; with more than |
|
|
1,800 employees, it serves a 24-county region and operates |
|
|
locations in San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, New Braunfels, Seguin, |
|
|
Bulverde, and Cibolo; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Goodwill San Antonio provides thousands of area |
|
|
residents with access to gainful employment, career training, and |
|
|
job procurement services, while placing a special emphasis on |
|
|
assisting those encountering hiring obstacles such as prior |
|
|
incarceration, disabilities, or a lack of formal education; serving |
|
|
as a second-chance employer, the organization offers life-changing |
|
|
opportunities to those who are facing barriers to employment; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Revenue generated by Goodwill San Antonio's retail |
|
|
stores and contract services operations are reinvested into its |
|
|
many mission-driven programs, creating a cycle of economic |
|
|
opportunity and community benefit; among other initiatives, the |
|
|
organization has established the Goodwill Academy & Career Services |
|
|
vocational training program to help prepare individuals for jobs in |
|
|
such high-demand industries as health care, manufacturing, |
|
|
logistics, and skilled trades; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For 80 years, Goodwill San Antonio has played an |
|
|
important role in numerous South Texas communities, changing lives |
|
|
through the power of work and equipping individuals with the tools |
|
|
they need to reach their full potential as engaged and productive |
|
|
members of society; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
|
|
hereby commemorate the 80th anniversary of Goodwill Industries of |
|
|
San Antonio and extend to all those associated with the |
|
|
organization sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Goodwill San Antonio as an expression of high regard by |
|
|
the Texas Senate. |