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Thanks to many dedicated individuals, agencies, and organizations, our non-profit organization has been providing services for those in need in and around Greater Kansas City for 130 years.
It all began in 1894, when the Helping Hand Institute was founded in Kansas City, Missouri. The Helping Hand Institute provided food, shelter and a work relief program for those who were homeless and without resources. Thousand of participants carried out various work projects in exchange for room and board, earning wages outside of the institute and were ultimately able to become self sufficient. Across the country in 1902, Rev. Edgar J. Helms, founded Goodwill Industries on the east coast in Boston, Massachusetts. Helms collected used goods then trained and hired people with disabilities or disadvantages to repair them. The repaired items were then sold in stores to support the program. Goodwill Industries grew, and in 1925 Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City opened the first repair shop at St. Peter’s Evangelical Church on Oak Street.
By the 1940’s, Goodwill had expanded its focus to become a training center and added services such as employment skills training and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. In 1956, Goodwill began workforce development programs supported by contracts with the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Operating under the same model as Goodwill programs in other communities, Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City began providing paid employment for persons with disabilities who repaired donated furniture and clothing sold in Goodwill stores.
These two separate non-profit organizations, the Helping Hand Institute and Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City, merged in 1978 to form the Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries. As the agencies evolved into one entity, it became apparent that a name better reflecting the geographical scope of its programs and services was needed. In 2010, the organization changed to its present name, Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.
Today, Goodwill continues to be a non-profit leader in the Kansas City region providing resources and services to individuals who face barriers to obtaining employment. We believe every person deserves a chance at economic stability and independence. Barriers may be many things--unstable housing, a criminal record, lack of education and training--but no matter the barrier, Goodwill is here to help and provide people the opportunity to become self-sufficient. Through our job services we meet people where they are to provide the wraparound support necessary to forge a path forward and through the trainings offered at the Goodwill Artemmis Institute, thousands of people are served every year!
Thank you for your interest in MoKan Goodwill. We couldn’t do GOOD without you!
