Goodwill’s mission is to offer opportunities to people with barriers of all kinds to improve their economic self-sufficiency through training, education, support services and employment. Since 1947, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana (SELA) has served and trained community members throughout 23 parishes.
In this NMTC project, Goodwill SELA acquired and renovated a long-vacant retail facility in New Orleans East, a severely distressed community with high rates of poverty and unemployment. Programs offered by Goodwill East include Disability Employment Services, Ex-Offender Reentry Programs, Digital Literacy, and the GEAR Job Readiness Program.
NMTC financing was provided by River Gorge Capital ($5 million) and Capital One Community Renewal Fund ($4 million) to complete the project, allowing Goodwill SELA to continue to use the income generated from the sale of donated goods to invest into local training programs.
Upon completion, Goodwill East will include a Goodwill Store and Outlet, providing affordable shopping options for the surrounding low-income community. The onsite Recycle Center will process 4,000 tons annually of consumer commodities, keeping them in use within the local community and out of landfills. Goodwill East will also offer 20,000 sq. ft. of office space, which will be available to local organizations at no cost to further provide services and act as a community hub.
Goodwill East will act as a catalyst for further commercial investment, encouraging other businesses and organizations to consider the West Lake Village neighborhood a viable addition to their overall business strategy.
The Opportunity Center is expected to train 4,000 community members per year. The training leads to jobs both at the subject Goodwill facility and with Goodwill’s 200+ community partners. Job training includes interpersonal skills, job readiness skills, resume writing, and interview skills. Clients also receive assistance with employment placement and intensive case management to help them overcome obstacles to employment. All job training services are offered free of charge.