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CHANGING LIVES EVERY DAY.
News
Our News section is your gateway to staying informed about our programs, events, success stories, and the incredible individuals who have benefited from our services. Whether it's highlighting our employment training programs, sharing stories of personal triumph, or showcasing community partnerships, this is where you'll find the pulse of Goodwill Mississippi.
Celebrating the Heart of BookWorks: Honoring Our Incredible Volunteers
Last week, Goodwill Industries of Mississippi had the privilege of celebrating the incredible volunteers who make our BookWorks program such a success during a special appreciation luncheon. The event brought together our dedicated BookWorks volunteers, Goodwill leadership, and a special guest, Miss Mississippi 2026, Jane Granberry, as we recognized the meaningful difference these individuals make in the lives of children throughout Central Mississippi. Our BookWorks voluntee
4 days ago
Preparing Students for Success Through Work-Based Learning
For many students, a first job can be both exciting and intimidating. Through Goodwill Industries of Mississippi's Work-Based Learning Program, students gain the experience, confidence, and skills they need to take that important first step into the workforce. This summer, we celebrated another group of students who successfully completed the program at our Byram, Clinton, Crossgates, Greenville, and Hattiesburg locations. In partnership with local school districts and the Mi
Jul 28
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Welcomes James Spearin as Vice President of Operations
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is excited to welcome James Spearin as our new Vice President of Operations, bringing more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, retail operations and mission-driven leadership. In this role, James will lead retail operations across Goodwill's locations in Central Mississippi, helping strengthen operational excellence while supporting the organization's mission of transforming lives through lifelong lea
Jul 26
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Celebrates Grand Opening of New Ridgeland Supercenter
On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Goodwill Industries of Mississippi celebrated a milestone nearly 70 years in the making with the grand opening of its new Ridgeland Supercenter. Hundreds of shoppers gathered outside, eager to be among the first to experience Goodwill's newest and largest retail location in Central Mississippi. More than 200 customers were waiting when the doors officially opened at 8:00 a.m., creating an unforgettable start to a day that celebrated growth, opportu
Jul 24
Community Rallies Behind Record-Breaking School Tools Donation Drive
The power of community was on full display as Goodwill Industries of Mississippi partnered with WAPT for this year's School Tools Donation Drive, collecting more than 5,000 school supplies to benefit the Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) Head Start Centers. Held at four Walmart locations in Flowood, Richland, Madison, and Ridgeland, the annual drive welcomed hundreds of generous shoppers who stopped to purchase backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pencils, folders, and oth
Jul 11
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Launches AI-Powered E-Commerce Listing Technology
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is excited to announce the successful implementation of Generate Sales, an AI-powered platform that is transforming the way we list items on ShopGoodwill.com. After an onsite implementation and training with the Generate Sales team, our E-Commerce department is now using this innovative technology to create listings faster, more accurately, and more consistently than ever before. The new system uses artificial intelligence to assist with ite
Jul 3
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Announces Honorees for the 40th Annual Goodwill Salute
Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services (GIVS) is proud to announce the honorees for the 40th Annual Goodwill Salute, an evening dedicated to recognizing the outstanding volunteers whose generosity, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact across Mississippi. The 2026 Goodwill Salute will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at The Country Club of Jackson. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. and the presentation of h
Jul 2
Goodwill of Mississippi Announces Promotion of Tara Barnes-Pereyra to Director of Community and Employer Engagement
At Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, we know that strong community partnerships and employer relationships are essential to creating opportunities for the people we serve. That's why we're excited to announce the promotion of Tara Barnes-Pereyra to Director of Community and Employer Engagement. Tara brings a wealth of workforce development experience to her new role. Before joining Goodwill, she spent 23 years with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS
May 30
Goodwill of Mississippi Annual Report Receives Two Hermes Creative Awards Gold Recognitions
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is proud to announce that its 2024 Annual Report, Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities, received two 2026 Hermes Creative Awards Gold recognitions for Corporate Social Responsibility and Creative Design. The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) and recognizes excellence in marketing, communications, and creative work across traditiona
May 23
Strong Community Turnout Supports Goodwill of Mississippi’s Spring Donation Drive
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is grateful for the incredible community support shown during our Spring Donation Drive held on May 16th at McDonald’s on Highway 51 in Ridgeland. Thanks to the generosity of donors throughout the day, the event saw a tremendous turnout with community members stopping by to donate clothing, household items, and other gently used goods that will help support Goodwill’s mission of transforming lives through lifelong learning and meaningful wor
May 18
Goodwill of Mississippi Enjoys a Night of Community at Brisket, Brews & Baseball
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi was proud to be part of the Mississippi Mud Monsters season opener at Brisket, Brews & Baseball, an exciting evening filled with great food, fellowship, and America’s favorite pastime. Members of our Goodwill Ambassadors program, along with other incredible Goodwill supporters, gathered to celebrate community while enjoying a fun and memorable night at the ballpark. One of the highlights of the evening was Goodwill of Mississippi's own, Skyl
May 8
Spring Cleaning for a Purpose: Join Our Donation Drive on May 16
As spring arrives, many of us are taking time to refresh our homes—cleaning out closets, organizing garages, and making space for a new season. It’s also the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact right here in Central Mississippi. Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is excited to partner with WLBT and McDonald’s to host a Spring Donation Drive on May 16 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at McDonald’s located at 349 US-51 in Ridgeland. This drive makes it simple to turn your g
Apr 24
Goodwill Hosts Largest Job Extravaganza Yet, Promoting Career Exploration for Students
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi recently hosted its largest Job Extravaganza to date on April 17th, bringing together students with diverse learning needs from three school districts for a day focused on career exploration and opportunity. The event featured 26 local businesses, giving students the chance to engage directly with employers, explore a variety of industries, and gain valuable insight into future career paths. From retail and customer service to logistics and
Apr 21
Celebrating Creativity and Community: 38th Annual Goodwill Art Show
The 38th Annual Goodwill Art Show was a true celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community impact. Held at the Jackson Prep Centre for Arts & Leadership, the event brought together more than 50 artists from across Central Mississippi, showcasing the incredible talents of individuals with disabilities. The show continues to highlight what is possible when opportunity meets creativity, perfectly aligning with Goodwill of Mississippi’s mission of transforming lives thr
Mar 23
C Spire Collects Nearly 700 Books to Support Goodwill’s BookWorks Program
On Studio 3 with Angela Evans, Brad Steffani (left) and Craig Jackson (right) discussed the C Spire BookWorks Book Drive. Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is grateful for the support of C Spire, whose team recently hosted a BookWorks book drive at their headquarters in Ridgeland, Mississippi. From March 2nd through March 13th, C Spire employees collected nearly 700 books to support Goodwill’s BookWorks program, helping expand access to reading and learning opportunities for
Mar 16
Goodwill of Mississippi Announces Promotion of Steve McCartney to Vice President of Workforce Development
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is proud to announce the promotion of Steve McCartney to Vice President of Workforce Development. Steve joined Goodwill just over a year ago as our first-ever Director of Learning & Development, a role created to strengthen internal training, leadership development, and professional growth across the organization. In a short time, he has made a measurable impact—building structured learning pathways, enhancing employee development initiative
Feb 24
Brewing Conversation & Connection: Coffee with Leadership at Centre Street
This morning, February 16th, we kicked off something special at our Centre Street Outlet — Coffee with Leadership. Our leadership team spent the morning onsite visiting with team members, sharing updates, answering questions, and talking openly about everything happening across Goodwill of Mississippi. Most importantly, it was an opportunity to listen. Over breakfast and fresh coffee, Centre Street employees had the chance to participate in a relaxed Q&A session, ask question
Feb 16
2026 Goodwill Salute Nominations Now Open!
Nominations are now open for the 37th Annual Goodwill Salute Dinner! This highly anticipated event is an opportunity to celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional volunteerism and a commitment to making a difference in our community. The Goodwill Salute recognizes leaders who exemplify the spirit of service, dedication, and positive impact through their volunteer efforts. Honorees can include individuals, partners, and youth who have gone above and beyond to insp
Jan 13
Goodwill of Mississippi Named a 2025 Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher
We are proud to announce that Goodwill Industries of Mississippi has been recognized as a 2025 Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher, a national leader in benefits strategy and benchmarking. This designation places Goodwill among a select group of organizations across the United States that excel in strategic investment in employee wellbeing, benefits, and overall workplace experience. What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that Goodwill is the only organization o
Jan 8
Goodwill of Mississippi Names Curnis Upkins III as 2026 Board Chair
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is pleased to announce Curnis Upkins III as Chair of the Board of Directors for 2026, effective January 1, 2026. The formal passing of the gavel will take place during the organization’s Board meeting on January 29, 2026. Mr. Upkins has served on the Goodwill Industries of Mississippi Board of Directors since 2023 and most recently held the role of Board Secretary in 2025, where he supported board governance and organizational oversight. “Cu
Jan 7
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