Community Center Virtual Tour

Transcript

Introduction

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas has been serving the Austin community since 1958. Our mission is to enhance the quality and dignity of life for individuals, families, and our community by providing job related services to people with barriers to employment.

Lobby

Goodwill’s lobby features the seal of our founder, Dr. Edger J. Helms, in memory of his hard work and our history.

Other lobby décor worth mentioning includes our mission statement and values, which are boldly emblazoned on the walls as a reminder to all who cross the building throughout the day.

Goodwill Community Center

The architect of this building kept the Goodwill vision in mind when constructing the facility, and used design schemes which compliment the extent of our community involvement.

This three story building is called the Goodwill Community Center and is home to our administrative staff, Workforce Development Services, Computer Works store and our Norwood retail store.

The facility contains over 96,000 feet of working space. The third story is roughly 25,000 square feet and it is currently available for build out.

The Assistive Technology Lab

The assistive technology lab is a computer lab with tools designed specifically for individuals with hearing and vision impairments.

Some of the technologically advanced software includes job access with speech or JAWS, a program primarily used by people who are blind.

Magic: a magnification software program with audio options used for individuals with limited vision.

REACH: a word prediction program to help with spelling and many others.

These tools and more are available at the Goodwill Community Center.

Job Help Center

Located next to the lobby on the main level is a room equipped with computers software and printing stations assessable to job seekers to assist them in getting started with their search for employment.

Goodwill Classrooms

Down this hallway, Goodwill offers a flexible classroom environment for clients working to earn their GED to overcome an educational barrier to employment.

Goodwill also has a computer training center with 30 computers and flat panel monitors. Through the computer lab, Goodwill clients and employees can receive training on Microsoft Office products and participate in online webinars.

Conference Rooms

Goodwill has three conference rooms available for use at no cost to non-profit organizations.

Meeting rooms can accommodate groups ranging in sizes from 8 to 200. Rooms may be set up with tables and chairs using boardroom, classroom or theater style seating. Each room is equipped with state of the art audio and visual technology including accessories for the hearing impaired.

This is Goodwill’s boardroom and is used by the board members every two months as they meet to review, discuss and strategize techniques to invest in the future of our community.

Employee Amenities

Through the generosity of board members and other friends of Goodwill, our community center facility offers a number of special amenities that promote physical and emotional wellness of employees and clients.

Our employee gym is open to all onsite employees. Locker rooms and showers are accessible based on ADA standards.

We also have a meditation room to promote calmness and tranquility which employees can use anytime.

Goodwill Staffing Group

Goodwill Staffing Group is a subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas and is recognized as one of the top ten temporary staffing firms in Austin by the Austin Business Journal.

With a team of less than 10 employees, this department generates millions of dollars a year to help Goodwill’s goal of putting people to work in the community.

Computer Works Store

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas provides a refurbished computers and parts to the Austin community through the Computer Works Store.

Goodwill has technicians who will test, assemble and install parts to convert a used or non-functioning computer into an improved working machine. In this way customers can find quality working computers that have been tested for a fraction of the price of a new computer.

Through the generosity of Dell’s Reconnect program which promotes donations of used computers to Goodwill, our organization receives about ten tons of electronics every day.

Computers that are refurbished and resold provide inventory for the Computer Works Store. End of life cycle equipment is broken down into basic components which are resold.

Relationships with environmentally responsible recycling wholesalers enable us to create a second revenue stream from electronic waste which generates income to support our mission.

Computer Museum

The Good will Computer Museum had available more than 150 computers and electronics dating as far back as the 1970s.

Computers range in scale from large refrigerator type servers to early handheld devices that are heavier than today’s laptops. Also on display are early game consoles and accessories.

Norwood Retail Store

Goodwill Industries is known for its retail stores, and this Norwood location is one of the many across central Texas. Gently used items donated by the community are resold in our retail outlets generating revenue to support to the Goodwill mission.

In addition to donated household goods, shoppers can find a wide range of specialty merchandise that is auctioned weekly at in store events every Saturday at 2:00 pm.

Here in central Texas, Goodwill also has attended donation centers, or ADC sites, to make it convenient for the community to donate. All donors are greeted within 10 seconds at the donation doors and donations are accepted and processed seven days a week.

Goodwill’s retail shops are also designed to also appeal to vintage or specialty retail shoppers.

Consistency in display, quality customer service, and accessibility are fundamental to all Goodwill stores.

Community support is the driving force behind our success.

Goodwill. We put people to work.

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