"Many people primarily associate Goodwill with donations; however, at its heart, our core mission is employment,” said Vice President Jason Stewart. “Our aim is to provide work opportunities.”
Empowering through employment
Goodwill Central Texas Commercial Services' commitment to sustainability and recycling has made them a leading organization in Texas, known for their large state and government contracts as well as a growing private contract division.
To help local businesses succeed, Goodwill Commercial Services offers a variety of customized, competitively priced short- and long-term contract solutions. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Packaging, repackaging, bundling, sealing, folding, boxing, disassembling, and inspecting products of all shapes and sizes
- Industrial and commercial cleaning services
- Warehousing and distribution
- Electrostatic blind/plant cleaning
Highlighting the potential for positive change, Stewart said it's critical that the local community understands what they provide.
“If more businesses became familiar with our capabilities and aligned with our mission, it could make a significant impact on the community, particularly for those who might not have employment opportunities otherwise,” Stewart said.
From prison to purpose
As a mother, wife, and facilities Director, Ashlee Lucas achieved a remarkable turnaround in her life. Despite battling addiction at the age of 14 and serving nine years in incarceration starting at age 20, Lucas was steadfast in her determination not to return to prison. Self-sufficiency required employment, but finding work after serving time proved to be a challenge.
Lucas found Goodwill Central Texas to be the best match for her and was thrilled to be hired immediately. As part of her first role at Goodwill, she encountered mentors who offered unwavering support and recognized her skills, spirit, and potential.
"I sometimes literally walked to work just so I could feel some forward progress. My hold on my life was so fragile. I asked my manager how quickly I could become a supervisor," Lucas said. “Three months later I was managing a store."
In addition, Lucas was inspired by a co-worker with a similar past who is in a leadership position. "Seeing her thrive, I knew there were no limits. I knew my past would not be a barrier at Goodwill," said Lucas.
Today, as a facilities Director, Lucas provides infrastructure support for all retail and mission sites. She highlighted that the stability and security from a good job and the supportive community at Goodwill have not only enabled her to fulfill this responsibility but also provide for her family.
“The Ashlee then is not the Ashlee now. Goodwill helped me remake myself,” Lucas said. “Goodwill showed me that I am a beautiful human being who has all the ability in the world to become anything I want to be.”
Growing private contracts
Goodwill Central Texas Commercial Services' commitment to sustainability and recycling has made them a leading organization in Texas, known for their large state and government contracts as well as a growing private contract division.
In addition to large state and government contracts, Goodwill Central Texas Commercial Services has a growing private contract division. One of their key services involves managing mail fulfillment operations.
Their dedicated team of approximately 40 members has successfully overseen incoming and outgoing mail correspondence for the past two decades. They also handle smaller mail fulfillment projects, including the printing and distribution of certifications in pharmacies and the distribution of custom license plates for the state.
“We're eager to expand this side of our operations, especially in areas of hand assembly. This process can accommodate individuals with high levels of physical disability, allowing them to contribute to society and maintain independence,” Stewart said. “We aim to offer light labor tasks suitable for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities. We even have a team member dedicated to coaching such individuals, ensuring they can integrate and contribute effectively.”
Warehouse expansion
Expanding its scope, the organization also provides sterilization and repackaging services for ice packs and coolers utilized in plasma transport across Texas. Following a substantial warehouse expansion last year, their storage space doubled from 30,000 to 60,000 square feet. This expanded warehouse now accommodates sterile medical supplies, including unused bio plastic bottles, further enhancing their ability to serve the community.
“A majority of our contracts come from the state and federal government, but we also take on private contracts, like the plasma coolers. We occasionally undertake one-off projects as well, such as mail services for schools or dispatching textbooks and posters to schools across Texas,” Stewart said. “We're now at a stage where our expanded warehouse allows us to take on more business. Although we've grown significantly and have a strong footing with the state, there remains a broader need to employ individuals with both mental and physical disabilities.”
Explore the Goodwill Central Texas website to request a quote and learn more about the range of services offered beyond retail.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Holly Galvan with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
