Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado

my good friend trusted a friends wood about some roofers she lnew...my friend paid them alot of money.she paid them for gutters too around 5 to 6 k they didnt do thr roof corect the shingles and gutters were roumered stolen from other constructon sights they dont match.to top it all there is no holes so wast eater can flow off toof please help me help my froend she is on ssi her partner reciently died I can get the roofers and gutters business name etc...there has to be a happy ending...amen

719-201-3100 Mj .... the worst thing about all of it is that we suspect that her so-called friend and the roofers in the gutter men altogether planned to rip her off and they all split the money it's just so wrong

Discover Goodwill helps thousands of people every year by using its resources efficiently and effectively. Nearly 90% of its budget directly supports its diverse programs and services. This is truly a nonprofit dedicated to improving lives of our friends and neighbors. Way to go Discover Goodwill!

I have been given the opportunity to work at the westside Goodwill for the past three months. I have met the best group of people to work with and for. Through team efforts I have overheard and been told by customers that they prefer our store above other secondhand companies. It is a rewarding job both mentally and financially. I am still happy to go to work and for a job that speaks volumes! Thank you! Theresa Staley

We here at the West store have the good fortune of working with a gentleman named Greg. Greg started as a client in 1976. After 34 years of hard work he is now a very important part of our retail team. We have watched him blossom under Goodwill's programs. The self esteem and independance that he has learned working at Goodwill is simply amazing. He has made many friends who come to see him regularly and ask his opinion on just about everything in our store. If you ask us, we are the lucky ones.

I have an employee at a Goodwill Store in Colorado Springs whos life has changed because of his employement with us. His mother wrote "I would like to express my gratitude to Goodwill Industries for accepting my son as an employee. He has bettled emotional roadblocks all his life and was diagnosed with social phobia at the age of 16. He is now 25 and this is the first job he has felt comfortable with. In fact, he recently announced that he never wants to move again because he wants to keep his job. For the first time in a very long time, my son is talking about the future. He is saving money and making plans. He is talking about co-workers and seems to be making friends. This is a man who has not had a friend since he was 13! Our entire family has benefited from the experience. My husband and I no longer worry constantly about his future. Our son used tell us "I'll live with you until you die and then I'll be homeless". What a sad existence. Now he's planning to get his own apartment. His younger brother looks at him with renewed respect since he is now "doing something with his life". Thank you doesn't seem enough to say about the difference your organization has made in our lives. You truly do live up to your slogan, making a difference "one life at a time". This young man has been working for Goodwill for 3 years now. He has also made a differance in our lives. Sincerely, Jan Reinhardt, Store Manager

GI of Colorado Springs is one of the top non-profit organizations in the country! In my opinion, it is the model by which other non-profits should measure themselves. From the CEO to the leadership team, to the worker in the store, there is a strong sense of connection, commitment, and mission. But, here is the true test--spend some time with our clients. See what they can do. See the good that can be created by believing in people and giving them an opportunity. I guarantee that you will be smiling when you leave!

I first became aware of Goodwill a number of years ago through friends who have a developmentally disabled daughter. Due to the assistance of Goodwill and the programs that they provided, this girl was able to find employment and transportation that allowed her the chance to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle and positive self-image. Goodwill’s philosophy of helping those in need to help themselves is the most important aspect of what they do from my standpoint. Helping people be productive members of society rather than to just take from it serves not only that person, but also our community in general. Though most people in Colorado Springs refer to the quality of life here as most important to them, they tend not to think about how this very philosophy impacts our community so directly. I believe Goodwill to be one of the most important assets of our community and will continue to do what I can to support their mission here in southern Colorado.

This Goodwill's people, from top to bottom, are dedicated to its mission of providing a better life for as many challenged men and women as possible. I have seen it from the Board of Directors perspective, experienced it when visiting stores, have felt it when visiting the "day-care" centers, and admired it as I was shown through the laundry. All are run by extraordinarily talented, caring, dedicated, professional people. In addition, the organization is carefully managed to assure that funding for all their services is maintained for the future. Finally, the management team is constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to serve their existing, and additional, clients.

I am an employee who has witnessed Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs' powerful mission for over ten years! IT's great to work a at place so dedicated to people and their personal goals.

I am a mother of three children living in Colorado Springs, CO. Grew up on welfare and as an adult continued with welfare as that was the lifestyle we grew up in. I came to know Goodwill because I had to work in exchange for my food stamps for my family at age 39 or 40. The work atmosphere took some time to get used to, and it was nice to get UP in the morning and have some place to go to with a purpose in life and that occurred at Goodwill located at 17 N. Spruce Street. Soon I was offered a job at Goodwill and I was sooooo afraid; afraid of leaving the dependability of a welfare check, etc and afraid that my kids would now be depending upon me to support them and if I lost my job, I would be out in the streets again as in childhood. But my Case Manager Vicki Prohaska with the Goodwill Employment First Program helped me take steps to transition into the workforce by teaching me to teach my kids to ride the city bus to school which was a big deal moreso for me letting go and Bryan Walker who took out the time to teach me about the steps to keeping a job, taking pride in my work and Bryan guided me into slowly but surely in becoming a good employee and he also taught me that I have to learn to love myself first and I had No clue what he was talking about and soon I realized that when one loves themselves, they respect themselves, their life and their work and soon my kids were looking UP to me and realizing that well if mommy can do it, so can we. I had NO idea my kids were looking at me to see how life really was and the potental that it could be. They were proud of me working and when they became of working age, they found jobs and careers of independence and self-sufficiency which broke the cycle of dependency on welfare in our family for the first time ever in my life. I may have been a late blossomer, but because Goodwill believed in ME when I couldnt believe in myself and took out the time to teach me how to be a responsible person and that life could actually be GOOD.... we now thrive as a family. We even own our own homes and how can you thank someone enough for saving your life and the life of your children to not repeat the lifestyle that you, yourself went thru thinking there were no other options? How can I thank Goodwill enough when they literally and I mean literally saved our lives and the lives of thousands and thousands of people before me and after me just by planting a seed and acting upon that seed and helping that seed to grow in to a wonderful plant who is happy to thrive in the sun as it embraces life now. Goodwill is like the family we never had because not only are all of us self-sufficient, independent, working responsible citizens, and homeowners for the first time in our lives that we live in a place that no one can take away from us and out of the cold streets or living from house to house, etc.... Goodwill NEVER gave up on us and now we "play it forward" and realize that everything we do and say touches and affects someone elses life. How can you thank a nonprofit organization called: Goodwill Industries, for literally saving your life and the lives of your children and their offspring.. ya can't but you can give that gift to others that was bestowed upon you and thats exactly what I do now. I had NO idea life could be this good and thanks to Goodwill it is. Okay before I start crying let me end by sharing this...... I genuinely owe my life to Goodwill and there are noooooooooooo words to thank them enough and now my kids and I are FREE. Free from homelessness, abuse, begging for food, codependence, entrapment, hopelessness, the list goes on... FREEDOM never tasted so good and we never knew FREEDOM was possible until the seed was planted and nurtured in us as an entire family, not just me, and that seed was planted and nurtured by Goodwill Industries in Colorado Springs, CO. I remember EVERY day from whence I came and who set me FREE, it is and will always be "Goodwill" my life source. Thanks to Goodwill of Colorado Springs, Colorado... we are FREE! God bless Goodwill. Thank you, Sharon McGee 01/28/10

This is Kim from Colorado,I would like to share my story. In early 1990's I developed a drug habbit. this habbit had consumed my whole life even to the point that I spent time in Prison.I was released in 2004 and went to Goodwill to find employment. Goodwill gave me a chance that no one else would. I started in the production area worked as Donation Supervisor and now I am a Production Assistant Manager. I am very proud of my accomplishments and very greatfull to Goodwill for having faith in me, and giving me a chance.I could go on for ever about Goodwill and all that Goodwillhas done for me and so many others but I stop here with a great big thank you to Goodwill. Kim from Colorado Springs

I am a donor, a shopper, and a member of the Board of Directors. My first expereinces of Goodwill came from the staff and employees at one of the stores, as well as those working the donor areas. They were friendly and enthusiastic. As a fairly recetn board member I can see how the values of Goodwill come from the very highest levels of leadership. I have never seen a more professional and competent leadership team in any of the many organizations I have been a part of over the years. I am aslo a pastor and at least one of my members works at Goodwill. This is truly a gift to him and those relying on him, as well as a gift to the community. As teh needs grow greater in our communities beset by financial cutbacks, Goodwill leads the way in its area of mission.

I have been involved as a donor and shopper at Goodwill Industries in Colorado Springs since moving here in 1996. I cannot point to an organization that does a better job of giving people a helping hand instead of a handout. By applying its resources to find jobs for the economically disadvantaged and the mentally and physically disabled population, Goodwill has changed thousands of peoples lives forever. The organization's management is stellar as evidenced by the fact that it applies from 88-92% of all donations directly to its mission. Consequently, a very small percentage goes toward administering the organization. This is important to me since many non-profits consume so much of donation dollars in either gathering or adminstering those dollars. I love the fact that my money goes straight to the cause.

Having been a donor for decades, and a shopper about as long. Goodwill is a part of my everyday living. I hace an antiques and collectibles business, and I can find many items for resale. However, I am in the stores so often, that I know most of the staff/employees by name. Over the years, in this capicity, I have made some pretty amazing observations. Several of the (usually young) employees who have gone through Goodwill training are folks I see at least weekly. The changes in not only their effectiveness on the job; but more noticably their socialization skills are staggering! From eyes cast down shyly to eye contact. From my always being the one to say hello first to my being greeted first, and with friendly excitement at KNOWING they will be greeted with enthusiastic recognition. Goodwill is an organization with so many more positive effects on the local community than are apparant. I think there are even many more influences than the Goodwill organization may be aware of. Aside from the intended mission; as a frequent donor and customer, I see peopke became self-assured and more independent from week to week. Goodwill is not only a name, it's a whole community.

The amount of time and energy this organization puts into their community continues to amaze me. Goodwill Industries has over 20 programs in place to help those who are in need. The managers and board members are always brainstorming to improve how this non-profit can best serve its community. I have seen so many program participants achieve a great personal since of achievement and how their jobs make them feel they contribute to society.