About Us

What started with one truck and one storefront 100 years ago has helped thousands of people in our community receive education, training, jobs, and a second chance.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston, MA, by Rev. Edgar J. Helms. The idea was simple, fight poverty not with charity but with trade skills and provide a chance for the poor and unemployed to do productive work.


Inspired by compassion for the poor, sick, and disabled and determined to improve their quality of life, Helms put a burlap bag over his shoulder and asked for unwanted clothing, shoes, and household goods. He employed people in need to restore those collected items and taught them trades and skills as they worked. The income from the resale of those goods paid wages to these people.


With Helms as the driving force, Goodwill Industries spread throughout the United States. On July 5, 1923, Chattanooga Goodwill opened as the first Goodwill in the state of Tennessee and the 25th in the world.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

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community where every person regardless of ability situation or background can achieve their greatest potential
The core values of a company are people , integrity , commitment , and continuous improvement.

Our Strategic Plan

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A blue sign that says our strategic plan on it

When we commit to our guiding principles, donor values should increase, profits should increase, and potential should transform into opportunity within the communities we serve.

Structure

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is an innovative and sustainable social enterprise that utilizes its resale strategies to provide training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment such as multi-generational poverty, history of incarceration, and limited education and work experience. Goodwill accepts clothing and other household goods from the public and sells these donated items in multiple community-based stores. Revenue from the sale of these goods goes directly toward supporting and growing critical local programs and job placement services.


Goodwill is an autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is a member agency of Goodwill Industries International and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Chattanooga Goodwill is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and serves 23 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. 

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Careers at Goodwill

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live independently, earn wages, and achieve their dreams.


We are committed to helping you achieve your personal and professional goals, whether it’s earning a credential or degree, planning for your next career, polishing your job search and interview skills, getting your finances in order, or overcoming a challenge specific to your experience or background.


We are here for you!

Our Service Area

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Newsroom

VIDEO: East Ridge Grand Opening

By Michelle Turner • February 27, 2026
Goodwill Opens New East Ridge Store and Donation Center A new Goodwill store and donation center opened in East Ridge on Thursday, Feb. 26. The location, at 3715 Ringgold Road in the former Food City building, is approximately significantly larger than the previous Goodwill location in East Ridge. The over 40,000-square-foot building will feature a Goodwill store, a Donation Xpress Center, and a dedicated space for a future Goodwill Opportunity Center. The previous Goodwill location in East Ridge, located at 5082 South Terrace, in front of the AMC movie theater, will remain open as a Goodwill Donation Xpress Center. After the opening of the new East Ridge store, the local nonprofit will operate 16 stores and three Goodwill Opportunity Centers in the region. Goodwill Opportunity Centers provide career search services and employment-readiness assistance at no charge to the community. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Goodwill accepts donations during regular store hours. “We’re proud to expand our presence and deepen our commitment to the community,” said Gena Weldon, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area. “Those who shop and donate join us in our mission to help people overcome barriers to employment, divert millions of pounds of items from local landfills, equip people with training to prepare for the future of work and make a real impact in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.” Those interested in learning about Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area can find more information at goodwillchatt.org.
goodwill east ridge grand opening

Good News: Goodwill Grand Opening February 26, 2026!

By Lora B • February 16, 2026
A New Goodwill Store and Donation XPress Center in East Ridge is Opening on February 26, 2026!

Josh and Steven's Success

By Lora B • January 26, 2026
Goodwill’s mission is to help people transform their potential into opportunity, and employees Josh and Steven are living proof of that. Both Josh and Steven began their careers at Goodwill as Material Handlers at the Goodwill Distribution Center in downtown Chattanooga. Each had a goal: to advance their skills and open doors to new opportunities. Steven came to Goodwill with forklift operating experience, but his certification had lapsed. Once he began working at Goodwill, he learned that Goodwill hosts a forklift operator training course at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in Chattanooga. “I knew I was capable of doing more,” said Josh. “I needed my forklift certification in order to accomplish this.” “Steven and Josh entered the forklift program facing two very different challenges, yet both were determined to grow,” said Kai, Goodwill Distribution Center/Transportation Manager. “Steven was returning to the workforce and working to rebuild his confidence in operating heavy equipment. Josh had never driven heavy machinery and wanted to gain a new skill. The forklift class helped bridge those gaps. Their success shows how the right training can empower individuals and strengthen career opportunities.” The Goodwill’s forklift course, in conjunction with Sunbelt Rentals and the Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services/Vocational Rehabilitation, features American National Standards Institute (ANSI) classes 1, 4, and 5 warehouse forklift operator certification and career readiness training. "Hosting these training events is just one way we contribute to our community and invest in the lives of our coworkers," said Rachel Inman, Vice President of Mission Services. "At Goodwill, we are dedicated to offering resources that support individuals in their job search and future career growth." “I love working at Goodwill,” said Steven. “I wish I had started working here earlier in my life.” If you are interested in attending an upcoming forklift operator training course, contact Cornisha Espey at (423) 634-2935 or cornisha.m.espey@tn.gov.
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