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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.
Goodwill Team Builds Knowledge and Connections at RAM Conference
Goodwill of Mississippi team members recently attended the 2026 Rehabilitation Association of Mississippi (RAM) Training Conference, joining professionals who share a commitment to helping people build skills, overcome barriers, and pursue meaningful work. The conference offered opportunities for professional development, exchanging ideas, and connecting with others in the rehabilitation field. For our team, these experiences support the work we do every day—meeting people wh
Oct 9
Team Goodwill Comes Together for Family Day 2026
On Sunday, October 4, Goodwill of Mississippi employees and their families gathered at Flowood Auditorium for Family Day 2026. This year’s Team Goodwill theme celebrated the people who keep our mission moving and gave everyone a chance to enjoy an afternoon together. There was plenty to keep the whole family entertained, from bounce houses and bingo to the cake walk and candy table. Sno cones offered a sweet treat, while our CEO, Brad Steffani, fired up the grill to cook hamb
Oct 5
A Warm Welcome in Meridian—and a New Chapter for Goodwill
Our Meridian Donation Center is officially open, and we are grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from the community! Opening Goodwill of Mississippi’s first attended donation center in Meridian marks an exciting step in growing our mission in East Mississippi. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, brought donations, and helped celebrate this new beginning. Your enthusiasm and generosity have made us feel right at home. All donations received in Meridian will stay loca
Oct 2
Investing in Our Store Leaders
In September 2026, Goodwill of Mississippi brought our Store Managers and Assistant Managers together for training and time to learn from one another. These leaders guide our teams every day, and we are grateful for the chance to invest in their growth. We were also pleased to welcome Cameron Stubbs from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), who led a session on disability etiquette. Thank you, Cameron, for sharing your knowledge with our managers and
Sep 29
Goodwill of Mississippi Partners with YouthBuild Gateway to Prepare Young People for the Workforce
At Goodwill of Mississippi, our mission of transforming lives through lifelong learning and meaningful work often comes to life through partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to helping people build brighter futures. Recently, members of our Workforce Development team spent time with participants in YouthBuild Gateway, providing workforce development programming designed to help young people prepare for employment and the opportunities ahead. The session ga
Sep 18
Learning, Connecting and Bringing Back New Ideas from Nashville
Last week, members of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi’s leadership team traveled to Nashville for the Goodwill Southeast Association (SEA) Conference, a valuable opportunity to learn, connect and share ideas with fellow Goodwill professionals from across the Southeast. Representing Goodwill of Mississippi were Brad Steffani, President and CEO; Roy Johns, Vice President of Marketing and Human Resources; James Spearin, Vice President of Operations; and Steve McCartney, Vice
Sep 4
40 Years of Celebrating Service: Goodwill Salute 2026
For four decades, Goodwill of Mississippi has celebrated individuals who make our communities stronger through service, leadership and a commitment to helping others. On Thursday, August 20, we proudly continued that tradition with the 40th Annual Goodwill Salute at the Country Club of Jackson. This milestone event brought together friends, supporters and community leaders to recognize an outstanding group of Mississippians whose contributions reflect the spirit of service at
Aug 24
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
Aug 11
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
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