Our Story
What began in Lufkin in 1983 became so much more in January of 1988. Seeing an opportunity to better support the local community, several business leaders came together to expand the reach of Goodwill in our area, and on January 1,1988, Goodwill Central East Texas became an independent
organization.
Today, Goodwill Central East Texas consists of seven stores, three attended donation centers and one outlet store. Every purchase and donation directly funds our mission to help people go to work! We offer job training programs such as EmployABILITY, Supported Jobs Plus, Commercial Driver’s License Training and Certification, Forklift Certification, and so much more.
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is guided by a local Board of Directors made up of community leaders from the counties we serve: Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, and Trinity.
The Original Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Central East Texas is proud to be part of a bigger global movement: Goodwill Industries International (GII).
It all started back in 1902 with a Methodist minister named Edgar J. Helms. He went door to door in Boston collecting used clothing and household goods. But, instead of just giving these items away, he hired and trained people in need. The items were then given to the people who fixed them or sold them. This simple idea created Goodwill’s guiding belief: offering "a hand up, not a hand out."
As this idea grew, new Goodwill locations opened in cities across the country. Every location operates as its own local, independent nonprofit. That way, each Goodwill can design its job programs and services to fit the exact needs of the communities it serves.
CARF Accreditation
In 2025, Goodwill Central East Texas was accredited for a period of three years for its Employee Development Services Program, EmployABILITY, by CARF International.
CARF is an independent nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards.
Our Mission
The mission of Goodwill Central East Texas is to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment via job training and placement.
Our Vision
To collaborate with our community to transform donations into innovative training, employability, and financial stability programs that empower people with disabilities and other barriers to achieve independence.
Our Impact
Empowering people, transforming families, and improving communities economically,socially, and environmentally.
Core Values
Professionalism
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Look people in the eye, and speak clearly.
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We aren’t just selling products – we’re selling trust.
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You don’t have to wear a suit, but you do have to act as if your job matters.
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And we never talk bad about competitors, coworkers, or customers.
Enthusiasm
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Energy matters, people can feel it.
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Passion matters.
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This company was built on enthusiasm and enthusiasm spreads.
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Care about what you do.
Accountability
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Finish what you start.
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If something goes wrong, own it.
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No excuses. No finger-pointing.
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Starting isn’t doing. Finishing is doing/done.
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Activity is not a metric, accomplishment is.
Customer Service
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Customers have choices, if they choose us, we owe them our best.
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They should feel welcome, appreciated, and remembered.
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They are never an interruption; they are the reason we are here.
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Every customer should walk out thinking, “We are the best.”
Honesty
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Say what you mean, mean what you say.
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Do the right thing even when nobody is watching.
Teamwork
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No one wins alone. It’s not “your job” or “my job” it’s our job.
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Help each other. Communicate.
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When everyone pulls in the same direction, we all move forward faster.
Leadership Values
Innovation
We commit to driving innovation through continuous learning, collaboration, and commitment to improving programs and processes.
Empowerment
We commit to helping all people become self-sufficient in order to realize their full potential, both personally and professionally.
Respect
We commit to fostering an inclusive environment that treats all people with professionalism, honor, and dignity.
Guidance
We commit to guiding people by maintaining calmness in the midst of the chaos allowing our teams to all move in the same direction by setting the standard, providing clear communication, holding our teams accountable, protecting the culture, and developing people as a priority.
