Goodwill of North Georgia Honored for 100 Years of Service

In a milestone celebration of its centennial, Goodwill of North Georgia was honored by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners with a formal proclamation on Wednesday, August 6. The recognition marks a century of the organization’s unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through employment, training, and economic development.

Founded in 1925 by a group of civic-minded Atlantans, Goodwill began humbly—operating from a small house on Edgewood Avenue and collecting donations with a horse-drawn wagon. With a mission rooted in service, the organization repaired and resold donated goods to support those in need.

From Modest Beginnings to Major Impact
One hundred years later, that humble start has grown into a transformative force across Georgia. Today, Goodwill operates 11 retail stores and two career centers in Fulton County alone, with a wider network of 70 stores, 14 career centers, a mobile career center, and more than 40 attended donation centers throughout North Georgia.

A Century of Empowerment
“Goodwill’s impact is woven into the fabric of Fulton County,” said Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “We’re honored to be recognized by the Board of Commissioners and proud to celebrate a century of helping people in our community gain meaningful employment and build better lives.”

Over the past 13 years, Goodwill’s career development model—A Job, A Better Job, A Career—has helped more than 27,000 Fulton County residents launch careers in high-demand fields such as logistics, welding, supply chain management, and highway construction.

Two Fulton County career centers, located on Old National Highway and Metropolitan Parkway, continue to drive opportunity by offering customized training and job placement services. These programs serve veterans, high school students, entrepreneurs, and individuals with disabilities—providing pathways to economic independence and long-term success.

Looking Ahead
Goodwill of North Georgia is not slowing down. By 2030, the organization aims to serve an additional 155,000 job seekers, expand its retail and training presence, and strengthen sustainability efforts to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

From a horse-drawn wagon on Edgewood Avenue to a statewide leader in workforce development, Goodwill of North Georgia’s first 100 years have been defined by resilience, innovation, and service. The next century promises to build on that proud legacy.