Saluting 75 Faces of Goodwill and Looking to the Future of Empowerment
Goodwill North Central Texas will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special event on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Fort Worth Club, celebrating decades of life-changing impact and service to the community. Ta. The event brings together more than 300 guests, including city and county leaders and members of Congress, as well as former board members, staff and long-time community partners, to provide education, training and job placement to individuals with disabilities. We celebrated the tradition of the organization. employment.
Founded in October 1949 as the 100th Goodwill organization in the United States, Goodwill North Central Texas was founded by a group of Fort Worth businessmen led by Everton O. Dibb with $10,000 in seed capital and support from Amon Carter. It was done. The organization, which began by providing employment opportunities to 53 people with disabilities in its first year, will employ 12,000 people in 2023 alone, including veterans, at-risk youth, and those returning to society after homelessness or incarceration. It has evolved into an organization that serves people close to people.
Goodwill’s history of serving North Texas communities is one of innovation and growth. From launching its education program in 1961 to opening its state-of-the-art headquarters on Campus Drive in 2001, the organization has continually expanded its reach to include 27 education, training and job placement offices in 18 counties. We have provided programs. Partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders have been essential to Goodwill’s continued success.
“This anniversary not only honors our history, but also celebrates our enduring legacy of collaboration and community support,” said David Cox, president and CEO of Goodwill North Central Texas. It’s also a proof of strength.” “Our contributions to transforming lives over the past 75 years reflect the great partnerships that make our mission possible. We look forward to building on this tradition and, in the coming years, We look forward to changing thousands more lives through of Work.”
Three outstanding recipients received the President’s Award, our highest recognition, for their dedication to Goodwill’s mission.
· Former Executive Director (1988-1999) Bernard Kahn led Goodwill North Central Texas through expansion, successful $6 million capital campaign, and acquisition of 17 acres of land for regional warehouses and programs. He was praised for his visionary leadership that transformed the… campus.
– Kelly Allen Gray, former Fort Worth City Council member and current AIDS Outreach Center Executive Director, continues to lead key fundraising efforts during the pandemic, including Project Goodwill and virtual bike rides, and bring people together. activities were praised. Goodwill’s services to vulnerable communities.
· Hadley Warner, Tarrant Regional President of Frost Bank, was recognized for more than 20 years of contributions to Goodwill. Frost Bank’s financial support, especially as a long-time sponsor of the Goodwill Classic, has helped foster impactful community partnerships and increase financial resources for Goodwill programs.
The evening featured powerful testimonies from Goodwill President’s Award recipients, who shared personal stories of transformation through Goodwill programs. Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks and Fort Worth City Councilwoman Janet Martinez released a proclamation commemorating the organization’s significant impact on the community since its founding in 1949.
For event details and a complete list of award winners, visit www.goodwillnorthcentraltexas.org/75.
