In October 1949, Goodwill North Central Teas was founded as America’s 100th Goodwill organization by a group of Fort Worth businessmen led by Everton O. Dibb, a $10,000 startup fund, and the support of Amon Carter.
Seventy-five years later, what began with a mission of providing employment opportunities for about 50 individuals with disabilities has evolved into an organization that annually serves 12,000 people, including veterans, at-risk youth, and those experiencing homelessness or reentering society after incarceration.
Goodwill North Central Texas marked its 75th year of community service and life-changing impact Oct. 24 at the Fort Worth Club. More than 300 guests attended the event, including city, county, and Congressional officials, as well as former board members, staff, and longstanding community partners.
The organization’s history of providing education, training and job placement to individuals with barriers to employment is one of innovation and growth. From launching educational programs in 1961 to opening a state-of-the-art headquarters on Campus Drive in 2001, Goodwill has continuously expanded its reach to offer 27 education, training, and job placement programs across 18 counties.
Partnerships with local nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders have been essential to the nonprofit’s ongoing success, said David Cox, president and CEO. “This anniversary is not only a tribute to our history but a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and community support,” he said. “The lives we have helped transform over the last 75 years reflect the incredible partnerships that make our mission possible. We look forward to building on this legacy, transforming thousands more lives through the Power of Work in the years to come.”
Three individuals were presented with the President’s Award, Goodwill’s top recognition, for their dedication to the organization’s mission. Former Executive Director Bernard Kern, who served from 1988 to 1999, was celebrated for his visionary leadership, which transformed Goodwill North Central Texas through expansions, a successful $6 million capital campaign, and the acquisition of a 17-acre property for a regional warehouse and program campus.
Kelly Allen Gray, former Fort Worth City Council member and current executive director of the AIDS Outreach Center, was honored for her leadership of key fundraising initiatives, including Project Goodwill and the Virtual Bike Ride during the pandemic, as well as her ongoing work connecting Goodwill’s services to vulnerable communities.
Hadley Woerner, Tarrant Region president of Frost Bank, was recognized for more than 20 years of dedication to Goodwill. The bank’s financial support, particularly as a longstanding sponsor of the Goodwill Classic, has helped foster impactful community partnerships and increased financial resources for Goodwill programs.
Also at the event, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks and Fort Worth City Council Member Jeanette Martinez presented proclamations commemorating the organization’s profound impact on the community since its founding in 1949.
All told, Goodwill is the largest employer of individuals with disabilities in the world.
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