Wading back into the donation center at the Goodwill in Eugene, Ore. feels a bit like taking a tour of Santa’s workshop. Chock full of row after row of clothes, records, electronics and myriad other knick-knacks, the donation center hums with the enigmatic energy of the behind-the-scenes section of a business that you’re rarely privileged to see.  It’s where the gears grind, where raw product merges with a human touch—and in the case of Oregon’s Lane County Goodwill Industries—where funds are derived to provide job resources to hundreds of individuals in occupational need.

The Goodwill Mission
“Our mission is to provide vocational opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment,” Ed Durkee, director of employment and training, says as he greets the dozens of employees busily sorting and stacking.  Durkee, who’s worked for Goodwill Industries since 2005, said that approximately one-third of the employees at Goodwill have developmental disabilities.  

Goodwill utilizes mission-integrated workshops to increase production and workplace efficiency amongst its disabled employees. As a result, Durkee said, developmentally disabled individuals are some of his best employees and “produce consistently every day.”

The Funding—Profits Benefit Disability Community
Opening its first store in 1958, Oregon’s Lane County Goodwill Industries are funded mainly by donations and retail sales.  They average nine million pounds of donations annually and in 2006 made over $8 million in sales, proceeds that go directly to programs that assist in the employment of individuals with disabilities.

The Job Developers for People with Disabilities
The Eugene Goodwill has a staff of job developers who work exclusively on getting jobs for individuals with disabilities.  The job-seekers are referred from the Oregon Vocational Services Department. Once their files have been forwarded to Goodwill, clients meet with one of two job developers on staff to discuss their skill strengths, work experience and interests.

Job developers gauge the client’s ambition as well.
“We can place anyone if they’re dedicated, reliable, and willing to learn," says Job Developer Anne Guthrie.

Guthrie and her co-workers work directly with local employers to find jobs that are ideal fits for clients and to streamline the employment process.  Although they do attempt to minimize the application process—providing assistance with resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques—Guthrie stresses that the burden still falls on clients to prove that they’re ready and willing to advocate on their behalf.

“I can train people on how to do the whole application and the cover letter, but what I really like to focus on is how to network and talk to the supervisor,” she says.  “Our program is very client-driven, so we want our clients to do most of the work.”

While many individuals with disabilities have used Goodwill to jumpstart their careers, some have found their ideal job at the donation center.

Gary’s Story—Muscular Dystrophy
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at birth, Goodwill Warehouse Supervisor Gary Noll battled alcohol abuse during his teen years. In 2003, he struck and killed a bystander in a tragic car accident.  Despite the fact that he was sober and wasn’t at fault for the accident—the throttle in his truck became stuck—Noll served two years in prison. While inside, he attended a drug and alcohol program and after his release continued to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Noll had difficulty finding a permanent job after prison and began working with a Goodwill job developer at the advice of his godparents.  In 2005, he took a position as a donation attendant at the Green Acres Goodwill and soon transferred to the Eugene location where he was promoted to warehouse supervisor.

“Gary is polite, smart, and has a great work ethic, all of which his supervisor recognized,” says Rufina Saiz, assistant to the president at Goodwill.

Currently, Noll supervises a seven-person crew that organizes the warehouse, fills orders, and maintains a fleet of trucks.  He’s also taking classes in business at Lane Community College, which Goodwill pays for as part of his benefit package.

But after he completes his degree, Noll doesn’t see himself leaving his position at Goodwill.  “When I got here, I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” he said.  “Goodwill gave me a chance when no one else would.  Life is really good for me now and I love my job.”

Saiz said that it’s not unusual for employees to stay at Goodwill for extended periods of time.  In fact, she stated there’s one employee in Lane County who’s been with Goodwill for over 30 years.  “We get a lot of different stories from a lot of different backgrounds that settle here,” she said.

Noll is one of them.  Overcoming muscular dystrophy, alcoholism, and a stint in prison, he has found peace within himself and enjoyment at his job.  And in the midst of the discount pajamas, the Carlie Simon CDs, the forks, the spoons, and the six-dollar record player that will be swooped up at any moment, that’s likely the best deal—the greatest bargain—one could find.

For more information or to find locations near you, visit Goodwill.