MOORE — Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma (GICO) is investing in a move and they are asking the public for needed support. The purpose of the campaign is to expand essential programs and services made possible by renovating their newfound corporate headquarter facilities. The relocation is the result of Oklahoma City’s Core to Shore project, which displaced GICO from their long-serving facilities.
Rising to the challenge, GICO determined that moving to the existing facility located at Tolan Park was the most fiscally viable course of action. However, costs of renovations, coupled with growing demand for services, have placed an extraordinary burden on the agency, which is seeking financial support from the public to help round out corporate contributions and to assist in the final push to make their vision a reality.
Demand for services is rising sharply as the changing economy leaves more people in the shadows. The move will enable GICO to deliver more programs devoted to youth services, mentoring, family strengthening, occupational skills training and workforce readiness, increasing the number of people served to more than 6,500 yearly by the end of 2010.
GICO launched the corporate phase of the campaign in November 2009. To date, companies and foundations have generously contributed $1.4 million of the total $3 million required to complete renovations. GICO is grateful for the support of key funders, including E. L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation and Chesapeake Energy.
GICO is now targeting $300,000 in public donations to help complete the facility and commence full operations. Home to the new Chesapeake Energy Environmental Recycling Center, the facility will feature more than 133,000 square feet of finished space that will enable GICO to grow recycling, thrift retail, skills-training and job placement programs, while providing more convenient access to donors and clients.
GICO has served the Oklahoma City region for nearly 75 years, and is one of Oklahoma's providers of skills training and job placement services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
GICO chiefly relies on sales of donated goods to fund programs and services. On average, 88% of all proceeds are directly reinvested into programs and services.
People are asked to help support GICO's move by making cash donations at Goodwill thrift retail stores, donation centers, or online at www.okgoodwill.org.
