Recognizing Goodwill Industries of Orange County for 100 Years of Service

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Goodwill Industries of Orange County for a century of service to our community.

Reverend John Winterbourne, determined to assist his community, founded Goodwill Industries of Orange County in 1924. Winterbourne's own home housed the first clothing repair shop, but it was later moved to a rented home on Logan Street in Santa Ana.

At the time, the Goodwill model revolved around repairing damaged goods for resale and hiring individuals with disabilities. In 1946, the ``As is Lot'' location opened next door to the main repair shop in Santa Ana. This ``As is Lot'' location focused on selling items that were not sold in stores to then sell by the pound. The Santa Ana marketplace became the blueprint for every Goodwill store across the country; they would all adopt the same business model and mission statement.

Since its opening, the store has become a leader in strengthening the workforce of Orange County. In 1992, the Deaf Services program was launched to provide Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants the skills needed to become independent at their homes, schools, and jobs. The Supported Employment program, which provides job preparation and placement services, Goodwill Industries of OC has continued to provide employment services for people with developmental disabilities.

Today, Goodwill of OC continues its impact through career development opportunities to ensure the success of their employees. In 2022, they unveiled the Training Center for Success that is designed to provide hands-on training to support the growth of their employees' skills. The program offers customized work simulations to its employees and trains individuals facing unemployment. Just last year, the Career Pathways Program launched a partnership with Goodwill OC to provide their employees with personalized career guidance to support their career growth.

From career development to disability programs, Goodwill Industries of OC has continued to serve employees and their families for the past 100 years. I call on my colleagues to join me in thanking Goodwill Industries of OC for its dedication to the success of our community.

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