As Goodwill of Central Iowa expands its E-commerce operation, job and training opportunities will expand along with it.
The expansion will add 28,000 square feet at Goodwill of Central Iowa’s headquarters. The space will be used for sorting, posting and shipping items sold on ShopGoodwill.com/DesMoines. This new expansion was made possible thanks to the Prairie Meadows legacy grant as well as DNR and Polk County’s provided financial support for this expansion.
E-commerce is already a daily part of our lives, and its popularity continues to grow. In 2024, it is estimated that 20.1% of retail purchases will take place online. That is an 8.8% increase over 2023. Selling donated goods online allows us to maximize the impact on the people we serve.
More Space = More Jobs
The E-commerce expansion will significantly impact more lives in Central Iowa by creating jobs. Our increased E-commerce space will require new equipment and enhance our skills training program with more specialized skills.
At Goodwill, we are dedicated to redefining inclusion in the workplace. Our mission is to train, and find jobs for i individuals with an average of five barriers to employment, including:
- Lack of transportation
- Intellectual disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Mental illness
- Low-income status
To help people overcome these barriers, we work with them through a variety of mission programs, which provide one-on-one assistance, mentorship, and guidance through the process of finding, earning, and maintaining purposeful employment.
Giving People Skills They Can Use
Our mission programs go beyond just teaching industry-related skills to help individuals gain confidence, enhance their abilities, and navigate the workplace professionally. One such program is Retail Skills Training, which helps people learn about customer service, merchandise handling, pricing, and more. With our E-commerce expansion, participants will get hands on training and expand their job skills to prepare them for the workforce.
Amy is a shining example of how our mission programs help people overcome barriers to find meaningful employment. Amy started her journey with Goodwill of Central Iowa in the Day Services Program, which helps develop self-care, socialization, communication, education, and life skills for adults. After an assessment with her care team, Amy entered the Retail Skills Training Program to expand her employment opportunities. Now, she is employed in Goodwill of Central Iowa’s E-Commerce department.
Funding Employment Programs
A large portion of our E-commerce sales will go toward supporting our mission to make purposeful employment possible for all. As our E-commerce operations expand, we will be able to invest in making an everlasting, life-changing impact on the community by giving people the chance to work. Gainful employment is a leading factor in overcoming food insecurity and finding stable housing in our communities.
