History
Our organization has a long and distinguished history. Goodwill’s social enterprise model began in Boston in 1902, and soon spread across North America. Our own local Northern Michigan Goodwill nonprofit was formed in 1972. In the 50 years since then, we have worked to empower people in need to reach their full potential.
Goodwill organizations across the country share a belief in caring and connected communities that embrace each person’s potential. Each Goodwill is an independent 501c3 run by a local board of directors. We are one of 10 Goodwill organizations established in Michigan, and one of 157 around the world. Here’s the story of how our Goodwill Northern Michigan nonprofit has adapted to serve our community’s needs in 50 years.
Our History
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1902 — Goodwill begins
In 1902, Rev Edgar Helms first went door to door with a burlap sack in his community, gathering used items to reuse and sell to help people in need. Goodwill’s social enterprise model grew from there to serve communities across the United States and beyond.
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1972 — GoodwillNMI begins
Fifty years ago, our local Goodwill began with the name Asgard Enterprises, founded to open doors for people with disabilities. From fishing lures to making windows and work on Mackinac Island, we offered many job and training opportunities over the years.
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1986 — New name, new work
In 1986 we became a Goodwill member, changed our name to Goodwill Northern Michigan, and opened our first store. Our social enterprise helped us answer a community call to serve people experiencing homelessness and we opened the Good Samaritan Housing Center.
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2006 — Goodwill Inn opens
Our community needed a year-round shelter to serve people living homeless and allow families to stay together as a family unit. We opened the Goodwill Inn emergency homeless shelter in 2006 thanks to tremendous community support.
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2008 — Food Rescue begins
In 2008 the founders of Food Rescue saw a win-win opportunity to increase access to healthy food for people experiencing food insecurity, and reduce food waste at the same time. Food Rescue joined with Goodwill logistics and the rest is history.
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2011 — Patriot Place opens
Our work with Veterans experiencing homelessness led us to partner with the Veterans Administration on housing solutions. In 2011, our Patriot Place housing community opened to support Veterans as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
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2016 — Carson Square opens
Some people need affordable places to live combined with intensive coordinated services so they can exit homelessness and hold on to their housing. We opened Carson Square in 2016, adding 36 permanent supportive housing units that our region needs.
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2021 — A renewed vision
After a global pandemic and a $5M MacKenzie Scott gift, we renewed our vision for serving people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. We’re focusing on partnerships and expanded housing options for the people we serve.
Goodwill’s Social Enterprise Model
“Goodwill saves the waste in men and things.”
Meeting critical community needs has been at the heart of Goodwill’s mission since 1902, when Rev Edgar Helms first went door to door with a burlap sack. He gathered used goods from wealthy neighborhoods, and then hired people in need to mend them. The repaired goods were used to support the people who fixed them, and Goodwill’s social enterprise model was born.
“[Our original name] Asgard was taken from Norse mythology, meaning the adobe of the gods, a place of work and toil. It would be reached only by the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow) from Midgard (the earth).”