Blog

Dear Friends of Goodwill,

This is a challenging time for all of us. At Goodwill, we share your deep concerns and sadness about the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on our community. We are committed to getting through this crisis together, with the health and safety of everyone as our top priority. However long it takes, we will continue to do everything possible to serve the people of this community as we have for nearly 100 years, by providing basic services to those in need, and by helping people get skills and training to get good jobs and take care of themselves and their families.

To support public health efforts Seattle Goodwill is closing all of our thrift stores and outlet stores starting March 19th, for two weeks. We will continue to pay our employees during that time. We will also suspend the collection of donations at stores and at most, though not all, attended donation centers throughout our region. We are practicing social distancing for all Goodwill employees who continue working, and taking all necessary steps to help prevent the spread of illness, like frequently washing and sanitizing our hands, and staying home if we feel ill. Additionally, we’ve cancelled or postponed large gatherings and meetings, and adjusted work accommodations whenever possible.

As for the critical job training and education programs Seattle Goodwill exists to provide, we remain committed to serving and assisting our students and employees throughout this crisis. In line with official public health guidance on social distancing, all in-person job training and education classes will be postponed at least until the end of the month, and longer if circumstances warrant. During this time, our job training staff will continue to provide support services and case management to students via phone and web-based conferencing.

Our online stores continue to operate, with modified scheduling and other essential protocols in place to allow for safe social distancing. All proceeds from the sale of thrift items directly support our free job training and education programs. https://seattlegoodwill.org/shop-online

This situation is being closely monitored to determine when we can return to normal operation of our stores and job training centers, and we will do so only when it is absolutely safe.

During this very difficult time, all of us at Seattle Goodwill extend our heartfelt best wishes for your family’s good health and safety. Thank you for your dedication to our important mission to provide essential, free job training and education to those in need. The commitment you make to us by shopping, donating goods and donating time or money powers the work that creates opportunity for our neighbors to make better lives for themselves and their families. As our community strives to move through this together, you have our promise that we will continue doing everything we can to be there for those who need us.

Thank you, friends.

Daryl J. Campbell

President & CEO