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1940s
The Beginning of
Goodwill San Antonio
…it started with an idea…
In 1936, Lucy Hill Cunningham, a prominent San Antonio civic advocate and community leader, heard a radio interview with Goodwill Industries founder, Dr. Edgar J. Helms, where he spoke about Goodwill’s mission and providing a “Hand Up, Not a Hand Out” to individuals in need.
Mrs. Cunningham, envisioning how Goodwill could help individuals in San Antonio, wrote to Dr. Helms, expressing an interest in establishing a Goodwill chapter in San Antonio.
Mrs. Cunningham invited Dr. Helms to speak at the Woman’s Club of San Antonio in March 1937 with the purpose of educating local influencers about Goodwill’s mission and to generate support for a local Goodwill.
While Mrs. Cunningham’s contribution familiarized San Antonians with the idea of Goodwill, her vision was realized nine years later. Read more here.
1945
Goodwill Industries of San Antonio was established in April 1945, focused on providing opportunity, not charity to those less fortunate by teaching them a trade by which they could support themselves. Workforce development was the foundation of Goodwill San Antonio’s beginning and continues today, 80 years later.
Goodwill San Antonio’s first Board of Directors was led by President William “Bill” Sinkin and included local, civic and religious leaders with notable names such as B.V. Clemens, J.G. Ross, F.L. Reeder, A.E. Meckel, Dr. J.M. Todd, M.A. Childers, D.L. Baxter, Bishop Everett Jones, Dr. A.P. Shirkey, Rabbi William Sajowitz, Fr. Paul Ehlinger, S.E. Knowlton, William Seipel, R.A. McNees, C.W. Miller, G.S. McCreless, J.G. Kiser, Manor LaBatt, Fred W. Smith, Jr., O.P. Schnabel, Dr. L.J. Manhoff, Dan Quill, Arthur Biard, Roland Crutcher Jr., William I. Wyatt, and C.O. Hill.
1946
Goodwill began with 22 employees, of whom 18 were Purple Heart recipients in WWII. In 1946, Goodwill opened its first store located at 3500 Pleasanton Road.
1950s
EARLY DAYS OF
GOODWILL SAN ANTONIO
The 1950s is often characterized by the post-World War II economic boom in the United States and the rise of consumerism. Through the GI Bill, veterans and middle-class families were able to purchase homes and move to the suburbs.
As people were upgrading their lifestyle, Goodwill San Antonio looked for a convenient way for families to donate their used goods. Goodwill San Antonio developed community partnerships to solicit donated items and support.
In March of 1953, Goodwill partnered with Handy Andy grocery stores to place collection centers in their parking lots. The local Boys Club built the collection centers, which were delivered to various Handy Andy parking lots, including at Hildebrand and San Pedro, Nogalitos and Theo, Fair and Gevers, and 2716 Fredericksburg Road.
1953
Later in 1953, founding Board Member G.S. McCreless chaired the Boy Scout–Goodwill “Good Turn Day” Donation Drive. The community was provided with donation bags to fill by October 31. The Boy Scouts collected over 16,000 bags of donated items.
1956
Operation Schoolhouse, another Goodwill donation drive, kicked off in early 1956. The community was provided with donation bags to fill and encouraged to return them to their school by March 13. The donation drive generated 7,500 bags of items.
These partnerships and donation drives supported the employment of 100 Goodwill team members and the operation of three stores in 1956.
1960s
THE BEGINNING OF
SERVICE CONTRACTS AND
CAREER TRAINING
San Antonio emerged as a major military hub in the 1960s, anchored by three key installations: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base. These military bases were major employers in the community. Despite the strong military presence, the city lagged behind Houston and Dallas in terms of industrial growth and economic diversification.
1960
Goodwill San Antonio continued to offer training in essential trades like shoe repair, while also exploring new vocational opportunities to help expand employment choices within the city.
In September 1960, it secured its first service contract—assembling explosion-proof starters for charcoal fires, which marked the beginning of service contracts becoming a major revenue source for funding Goodwill’s mission.
1964
By 1964, Goodwill was serving over 1,300 individuals through training, vocational assessments, and employment. It also launched a training program teaching students about electricity as a foundation for becoming an electrician.
1966
In 1966, Goodwill expanded its workforce training to include textile and laundry skills in a partnership with the Texas Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
1970s
SUPPORTING DISABILITY,
EMPLOYMENT AND MOBILITY
In the 1970s, San Antonio's economy was anchored by a strong military presence and a growing tourism industry, providing relative stability amid national economic challenges. The city also began diversifying into healthcare, education, and light manufacturing, laying the groundwork for future economic expansion. Nationally, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) legislation was passed in 1970, providing jobs for people with disabilities. This legislation would open future opportunities for Goodwill.
1970
In 1970, the country was experiencing high inflation and was in a recession. Goodwill San Antonio remained committed to its mission of changing lives through the power of work. To help sustain employment opportunities, Goodwill pursued various service contracts, including a bank contract to produce coin bags.
In 1971 Goodwill was the first Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) awarded a federal contract through Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) legislation – now known as the AbilityOne Program - for furniture refinishing.
1971
Also, in 1971, Goodwill San Antonio opened an outlet in Eagle Pass, near the International Bridge. This was the third store location outside of San Antonio, the two previous stores being in Pleasanton and Hondo, which opened in 1970.
1973
In 1973, Goodwill San Antonio established “Handi -Trans”, a door-to-door transportation service for individuals with disabilities. This service provided reliable transportation so these individuals could enroll in vocational training, work, and go to appointments. Most importantly, they were no longer socially isolated.
Handi -Trans was the precursor to VIAtrans, which began operating after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
1980s
Expanding mission impact Through partnerships
In the 1980s, Texas faced a major oil bust that led to widespread unemployment, a housing downturn, and cutbacks in public programs and services. While San Antonio was not impacted as much as other Texas cities, the crisis highlighted the need to continue its diversification into other sectors like healthcare, education, and manufacturing. During this time, Goodwill San Antonio strengthened its impact by developing partnerships in education and healthcare and expanding its service contracts to better serve the community.
1980
In 1980, Goodwill partnered with Northeast Independent School District, offering vocational training to students with disabilities. Goodwill hosted graduation ceremonies celebrating the students for earning a certificate in vocational proficiency.
1983
On July 1, 1983, Goodwill San Antonio opened the Goodwill North Campus, located in the Medical Center on Hamilton Wolfe. In partnership with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, this facility provided medical services tailored to individuals with disabilities.
By 1983, Goodwill reached a milestone, employing 500 team members.
1984
Goodwill San Antonio initiated the Projects with Industry (PWI) program in 1984, providing skills training in food service, janitorial, and building maintenance for special-needs clients in the community. Later that year, Goodwill was awarded a custodial contract with the Army/Air Force Exchange Service and a coupon-redemption contract with the Air Force Commissaries, creating nearly 65 jobs.
1990s
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
OF SERVICE
The 1990s marked a decade of celebration and substantial growth for Goodwill San Antonio. In 1995, Goodwill celebrated 50 years of serving communities across the greater San Antonio area, extending down to Laredo. During this time, new retail locations were opened in Seguin and on San Antonio’s Southwest side. The decade also brought significant milestones in federal contracting, as Goodwill Contract Services was awarded six Department of Defense contracts at local military bases through the AbilityOne Program.
1994
In 1994, Goodwill San Antonio was awarded the Grounds Maintenance contract at JBSA- Fort Sam Houston, maintaining 1,000-acres.
1995
In 1995, Goodwill San Antonio was awarded the recycling contract at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio. The team managed the Laughlin AFB Recycling Center and supported the base’s Qualified Recycling Program (QRP) designed to divert municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste from landfills.
1998
Consistently delivering high-quality performance at JBSA-Ft Sam Houston helped Goodwill San Antonio earn a grounds maintenance at JBSA- Lackland in 1998. The 115-member crew maintained over 3,400 acres at the installation.
1999
In 1999, Goodwill earned an additional contract with JBSA-Randolph to manage the uploading and inclusion of Air Force personnel records into digital records within the Automated Records Management System for electronic access.
Goodwill opened a store in Seguin on Court Street in 1991 and a store in San Antonio located at Marbach Road and Loop 410 in 1999.
2000s
INVESTING IN
THE MISSION
By 2000, San Antonio experienced significant population growth, reaching 1.14 million residents, primarily concentrated in urban areas. Higher education expanded during this time, marked by the opening of the Biotechnology, Sciences, and Engineering Building at UTSA’s main campus and the establishment of a Texas A&M University campus on the city’s south side in 2009.
In response to these demographic shifts, Goodwill San Antonio recognized the need for a stronger downtown presence. Additionally, Goodwill emphasized offering alternative career training opportunities for individuals who could not access or pursue a traditional four-year college education.
2000
Goodwill moved its headquarters to 406 W. Commerce Street in 2000. A retail store, career services center, and administrative offices were located in the 22,000 square foot building.
2008
In 2008, Goodwill San Antonio was awarded the Air Force Service Treatment Records Processing Center contract to process records for separated or retired U.S. Air Force personnel through the AbilityOne Program.
Four years later, in 2012, Goodwill San Antonio earned the trust of the U.S. Army to fulfill a similar contract.
2009
Goodwill San Antonio launched its first academy in August 2009, located next to the Goodwill De Zavala store. The initial training programs focused on computer skills, medical office administration, and Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA). While enrolled, students also received case management support.
The Alamo Colleges District was a key partner in this endeavor, providing instructors, curriculum, and textbooks for the medical office administration program. With its support, Goodwill San Antonio was able to expand its training programs to include Pharmacy Technician and Business Office Technology.
In the summer of 2009, Goodwill San Antonio also explored offering training programs above the Goodwill store in Laredo. Additionally, the Goodwill San Antonio Board of Directors considered renovating the Galindo Building, located at Laredo Street and Dolorosa near Goodwill’s headquarters, for another academy location.
2010s
Creating Opportunity
Through Mission Delivery
In the 2010s, San Antonio faced persistent economic challenges including slow post-recession recovery, a shortage of high-wage jobs, and low educational attainment, which limited workforce competitiveness.
In response, Goodwill San Antonio committed to helping individuals secure meaningful employment by offering affordable, accessible training programs and pursuing contracts that enabled the hiring of people with disabilities - a segment of the population that historically faced a high unemployment rate.
2011
In 2011, Goodwill San Antonio launched the Bridge Builders Capital Campaign, which raised nearly $3.175 million to help fund the downtown Good Careers Academy (Galindo Building) and store/multi-purpose facility at Bulverde Road & Loop 1604.
2015
Goodwill opened a store in Kerrville in 2015, the 17th store in the Goodwill San Antonio territory and the 4th store opened outside of San Antonio.
2016
In 2016, Goodwill San Antonio was awarded the United States Air Force Total Force Service Center contract at JBSA- Randolph. The team provided comprehensive, end-to-end customer service support to active-duty personnel, separated and retired service members, their families, civilian employees, and reservists.
Also in 2016, Goodwill San Antonio was awarded the Postal Service Center contract at JBSA- Randolph. The team managed the mail receipt, distribution, mail receptacles, and provided onsite customer service. The team managed an average of 6,000 pieces annually.
2019
In 2019, more than 800 individuals, including high school students, were trained by the Good Careers Academy in high demand careers, including Nurse’s Aide, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Diesel Mechanic, Commercial Driver’s License, and Welding.
2020s
Navigating Change,
Expanding Services
In the early 2020s, the San Antonio community endured the profound impacts of a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a heightened call for social justice. Daily life was significantly reshaped, affecting how people worked, learned, and stayed connected. Throughout this challenging period, Goodwill San Antonio remained operational, prioritizing the health and safety of its team members, customers, donors, and program participants.
The pandemic highlighted the critical role of digital connectivity in everyday life, from education and healthcare to maintaining social connections. Those lacking basic computer skills found themselves increasingly isolated, underscoring a digital divide that left many disconnected from essential services and support systems.
2021
To address this need for basic computer skill training, Goodwill’s Good Career Academy launched a digital literacy program in 2021 in Bexar and Webb Counties. By 2024, over 835 individuals had participated in the training.
2022
Goodwill expanded its retail presence in Laredo with the opening of an outlet in 2022, marking its second location in Laredo and second outlet within the Goodwill San Antonio territory.
2023
In 2023, Goodwill opened a store in the Bulverde/Spring Branch area, which was the 5th store location outside of San Antonio and the 24th store location overall.
2024
During the pandemic, schools and universities converted in-person training to online. People adjusted to this training style and some preferred it. In 2024, Goodwill San Antonio began offering the Pharmacy Technician program online as well as in-person through Goodwill’s Careers Academy given the shift in how people were open to learning. It also enabled the Goodwill Academy to train more people. Additionally, the Goodwill Academy launched an administrative professional online training program. By the end of 2024, there were 49 students enrolled in the online Pharmacy Technician program and 13 students enrolled in the Administrative Professional online program.
In 2024, Goodwill Contract Services (DBA Goodwill Business Services) reached a milestone employing over 750 team members, of which 461 had a documented disability, to execute the deliverables on 30 contracts.
With the expansion of store locations, career training, and Business Services contracts, Goodwill San Antonio employed over 1,800 team members in 2024. This was a 12.5% increase within a 5-year period.
Looking Forward
With our operation expansion and over 1,800 team members, Goodwill actively pursued and subsequently purchased a 10-story building one block from its current headquarter location in 2024. The acquisition of the property will enable Goodwill to continue its focus of expanding workforce development capacity to serve the growing needs of the community.
Goodwill San Antonio
406 W. Commerce
San Antonio, Texas 78207
210-924-8581 | 800-483-9455
