See below for "What" and "How" to donate.
Services (from the website):
Programs & Services: Job Training
Goodwill’s job training programs provide training and support services developed around an individual’s skill level, life situation and career aspirations. Job training programs are also designed to meet the needs of various industry sectors, including retail, hospitality and tourism and general business.
Job training program participants typically pursue one of three paths:
- Individuals with developmental and other disabilities who require structured supports to work typically are trained and work at Goodwill. Over time, many transition to work in the community.
- Individuals with limited or no work history, low educational attainment and/or language barriers typically complete a work-readiness program as the first step to entering the workforce.
- Individuals with some work experience often enroll in programs that provide them with the basic financial, literacy and computer skills needed for entry-level administrative jobs.
Once program graduates enter the workforce, Goodwill provides ongoing support to help them keep their jobs and advance in them. Job Training programs fall into four main categories:
- Rehabilitation and Vocational Services
- Workforce Development
- Skills Training
- Clothing Collaborative for Job Trainees
Programs & Services: Youth Services
Goodwill has a long tradition of working with Boston-area youth. The agency offers academic, recreational and career-oriented programs and activities throughout the year for local children with limited opportunities, but great potential.
The Goodwill Fresh Air Camp is located on 500 acres of woodlands, fields, and ponds in South Athol, Massachusetts. Founded in 1906, the Fresh Air Camp offers an overnight camp experience during the summer months for children from 8 to16 years of age. In addition to participating in traditional camping activities such as boating, swimming, and arts and crafts, young people participate in educational and technology programs and workshops on conflict resolution, violence prevention and peer leadership training. Led by a multicultural staff of caring counselors, the Fresh Air Camp experience fosters personal growth and a sense of community. Goodwill offers a sliding fee scale for payment.
Mellon Academy for Girls is an after-school academic enrichment program that is available to girls every Monday through Friday during the academic year. Mellon Academy serves girls ages 10 to17 who are from Boston neighborhoods. Funded by Mellon New England, this program receives volunteer support from various organizations in the Boston area. Mellon Academy focuses on career and leadership development and provides specific skills training in math, computers, sciences and the humanities. Through these programs, girls also participate in community service, sports, and cultural enrichment activities.
For more information about youth programs, please contact the Department of Youth Services at (617) 541-1408.
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Donation Drop Off Locations / Hours:
http://goodwillmass.org/retail_locations.html
Boston, MA
1010 Harrison Avenue
Tel: (617) 541-1270
Fax: (617) 541-1470
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.
Boston Outlet Store
1010 Harrison Avenue
Tel: 617-541-1225
Fax: 617-541-1486
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Boston, MA
965 Commonwealth Avenue
Brighton, MA 02135
Tel: 617-254-0112
Fax: 617-254-0117
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 am-8:00 pm
Sun 12 noon-6:00 pm
Cambridge, MA
520 Massachusetts Avenue
(Central Square)
Tel: (617) 868-6330
Fax: (617) 864-8936
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.
Hyannis, MA
141 Corporation Plaza
(behind Cape Cod Mall)
Tel: (508) 790-0046
Fax: (508) 790-2671
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Quincy, MA
625 Southern Artery
Tel: (617) 745-4144
Fax: (617) 745-0066
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.
Donations Door:
Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m.
Somerville, MA
Tel: (617) 628-3618
Fax: (617) 623-9080
230 Elm Street
Hours: Mon.-Sat.10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.
South Boston, MA
470 West Broadway
Tel: (617) 307-6367
Fax: (617) 307-6368
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m
Fri.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m.
Worcester, MA
25 Park Avenue
Tel: (508) 752-4042
Fax: (508) 752-4291
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Donations Door:
Mon.-Sat. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Instructions on the website for what to donate:
Clothing and Goods
Donations of clothing or household items are sold through the Goodwill Store, providing tremendous value to the community and helping Goodwill fulfill its mission of helping people with barriers to self-sufficiency achieve independence and dignity through work. Each year, Goodwill collects more than 20 million pounds of donations at its 32 donation centers, seven retail stores and at ZOOTS dry cleaners in eastern and central Massachusetts.
In addition:
Donations generate money through the Goodwill Stores in support of Goodwill's many job training, youth, and community programs, serving thousands of people in eastern and central Massachusetts.
Tax-deductible donations of clothing and household goods are handled, sorted, packaged, shipped and sold by hundreds of job trainees with disabilities and other barriers to self-sufficiency who earn a paycheck while being trained for other meaningful jobs.
Donations provide the Goodwill Stores with low-cost, quality clothing and merchandise that allows people in the community to stretch their dollars.
Donations of clothing, household goods, supplies, and books are distributed to dozens of community-based organizations, such as the Pine Street Inn, to help them achieve their missions.
What to donate:
http://goodwillmass.org/donation_what.html
The above link has list of what NOT to bring.
or see "needs list" below
Antiques, collectibles
Appliances (small)
Artwork
Bedspreads, blankets, curtains, tablecloths, decorative pillows
Bicycles
Books, records, tapes, CDs, DVDs
Clothing, belts, scarves, ties, pocketbooks
Cookware, dishes, pots and pans
Games and toys
House wares and decorative items
Jewelry
Sporting goods