Goodwill of Western & Northern CT
Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut strengthens communities by helping people with disabilities and other disadvantages maximize independence through job training and other support services.
Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities by supporting people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment and independence. While its core mission centers on helping individuals achieve their employment goals through community career centers and specialized vocational programs, Goodwill also offers a wide range of services that promote stability, inclusion, and opportunity.
Key Programs & Services Include:
- Goodwill Career Centers: Free employment resources are available to all job seekers. Experienced career coaches provide personalized guidance to help clients prepare for, find, and secure the jobs they want.
- Vocational Support & Work Readiness Programs: These programs assist individuals with disabilities, mental illnesses, and substance use disorders by providing preparation, skills training, and support in obtaining meaningful employment.
- Housing & Community Support: Goodwill offers safe, quality housing with person‑centered support and community‑based activities. Individuals with disabilities can participate in social and community integration opportunities such as volunteer work, exercise programs, cultural outings, music and art therapy, and special events.
- Good Books: This program provides free children’s books to schools, libraries, daycares, hospitals, shelters, and other nonprofits within Goodwill’s service territory—helping eliminate barriers to literacy and putting reading materials into the hands of children wherever they learn, gather, or heal.
- Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP): Designed for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, HVRP provides career preparation, job placement, access to housing resources, and financial assistance for obtaining professional credentials such as CDLs, security guard cards, and other accredited training.
- Community Support Initiatives: Goodwill distributes gift cards to hundreds of families to purchase Thanksgiving meals and provides thousands of children with backpacks filled with school supplies each year.
Who Goodwill Serves:
- Unhoused or at‑risk veterans
- Individuals with disabilities
- People recovering from substance use disorders
- Individuals facing economic disadvantages
- People with mental health conditions
- Anyone experiencing employment‑related barriers
Sustainable Social Impact:
Goodwill also operates retail stores that fund or support its mission-driven programs while diverting millions of pounds of reusable goods from landfills—advancing both social and environmental impact.
With deep local roots and a mission centered on empowerment, opportunity, and dignity, Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands across the region every year.
- Goodwill of Western & Northern CT
- Bridgeport, CT
- Human Services
Current Total
$86
of $20,000 Fundraising Goal
$75 in Donations +
$11 Bonus Bucks sponsored by Webster Bank and Aetna
89 Days Remaining to Donate