News and Events
News & Events!
April 2023
Goodwill Sponsors the Allan Hancock Fashion Show. Fashion students had the chance to choose bags of clothing from Goodwill and turn them into new upcycled high-fashion clothing! In April the Goodwill team went back to the college to view the new pieces the students created. Osvaldo, the Goodwill Mission Servies Manager in Santa Barbara even had the opportunity to be a judge! Thank you for having us, having us as a sponsor, and upcycling clothing. Together we are all one step closer to a greener, fashionable future.
March 2023
Recently Ventura County Youth Careers (VCYC) team members and program participants spent the day volunteering with Food Share of Ventura County. The day started at the Food Share Community Garden. Volunteers got the opportunity to assist in the green house, where they planted new vegetables, picked weeds, and harvested some of the crops that were ready to be packaged and distributed. That same afternoon more volunteers helped at the Food Drive Thru at College Park. There volunteers loaded boxes filled with goods into the trunks of community members. Some of the youth participants were even checking people in, and engaged with community members.
Ventura County Youth Careers is designed to provide program participants with career exploration and work experience. By spending the day volunteering program participants got the opportunity to learn all about the Food Share and the work that they do, and also learned about the different types of jobs that it takes to operate Food Share. They also were able to job shadow, acquire skills that they can add to their resume, and give back to their local community. Program participants got to work alongside their case managers, which allowed each of them to learn a little more about each other. At the end of the day some of the youth were asking when the next volunteer event was, Mission Services Team ended the day tired but happy to know that youth were engaged and excited to give back.
March 2023
On Friday, March 10th, we sponsored the Simi Valley Chamber Breakfast! We were so happy to attend and spend time with community leaders and local business owners.
January 2023
America’s Job Center
recently held an outreach event at our corporate office in Oxnard and took time
to tour the Goodwill Mission Services Office, Corporate Office, Warehouse,
Outlet store, and E-Commerce Department. We encourage our local business
partners to reach out to us if you’re interested in going behind the scenes to
learn about how Goodwill is making a difference in our community. For more
information, please contact Spencer Cabral, Director of Communications and
Community Development at (805) 981-0130 or email scabral@goodwillvsb.org
December 2022
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties invited Hancock College Fashion students to pick out 2 bags of clothes and materials. The students will upcycle into new garments for their fashion show in the spring.
December 2022
Goodwill VSB is a proud sponsor of Food Share of Ventura County’s 11th Annual CAN-Tree drive. Thank you to the volunteers who braved the rain to support a worthy cause.
October 2022
By shopping and donating to Goodwill, you support programs aimed to provide the tools, training, and support needed to change the lives of Veterans, youth, persons with disabilities, long-term unemployed, and formerly justice involved individuals. Goodwill provides no-cost employment services and career guidance to people with barriers to employment to help them re-enter and succeed in the workplace to gain independence and self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.goodwillvsb.org or call (805) 981-0130. Visit our Downtown Ventura Store today!
https://issuu.com/timespub/docs/vcreporter_092922/1?e=8633901/93770038
October 2022
The Goodwill team was out in the community on October 1, 2022,
at the Touch-a-Truck event hosted by the City of Port Hueneme. The event
enabled us to share our Mobile Mission Services unit with over 1,000 community
members as part of our ongoing efforts to grow mission awareness.
October 2022
Goodwill Mission Services staff in Santa Maria have been busy preparing “ready-to-go bags” for participants in our Pathway Home 2 (PH2) program who have been recently released from the Santa Barbara North County Jail. The bags include jeans, shirts, hoodies, shoes, socks, undergarments, and a hygiene kit. Through PH2, eligible participants have access to job readiness, job development, paid work experience, supportive services, referrals to education/training services and more.
September 2022
Goodwill® Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties was one of many local organizations who joined the Water Awareness Festival at Nyeland Acres. Residents had an opportunity to learn about water conservation and other important community services, including Goodwill’s Mission Services.
During the Bike Rodeo Nyeland Promise distributed over 300 helmets and raffled 40 bikes to underprivileged children in Nyeland Acres. Children learned about bicycle safety and got a chance to test their newly learned skills by going on a bike ride around Nyeland Acres.
August 2022
Goodwill® Mission Services representatives were onsite at the Station 2 Car Show in Downtown Oxnard. All proceeds from the event benefitted DRAGG, a youth automotive after-school program that encourages kids to stay in high school and work toward graduation by providing an incentive in the automotive industry through career exploration. Goodwill is proud to support the DRAGG program and also offers career and educational support services to local youth. Our presence at community events such as this affords us the opportunity to spread the word about Goodwill’s mission services and grow our community impact.
August 2022
The Goodwill® team recently tabled at the Hancock Hello at the Lompoc Valley Center on August 2, 2022 . They were able to touch base with 30+ youth discussing the program and handing out flyers.
August 2022
Goodwill® Mission Services hosted a barbeque for our local youth. Dodger tickets were raffled off and games were played! Join us next time and be sure to follow us on our socials to see what we will host next.
May 2022
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the grand opening celebration of our new corporate office in Oxnard. We appreciate the continued support of our local elected officials, business leaders, and community partners who come together in support of our mission to change lives through the power of work.
May 2022
Goodwill® Mission Services is on the move! We
are excited to announce we have added a brand-new mobile Mission Services unit
that allows us to expand our reach throughout Ventura County. We’re bringing
the power of work to your neighborhood and offering the same no-cost
employment-related services to those who are unable to visit one of our offices
in person.
March 2022
Youth Services Specialist Esmeralda, teaches a résumé workshop at Hueneme High School on March 10th, 2022. The workshop was attended by students looking for more information on creating the perfect résumé.
Click here if you are in need of help creating a resume, job search, and developing new skills.
December 2021
GoodwillVSB fights hunger with Food Share of Ventura County
Goodwill VSB is proud to support Food Share of Ventura County by participating in the 10th Annual CAN-Tree drive and build!
December 2021
Port Hueneme Police Chief Speaks at Safety Meeting
Port Hueneme Police Chief Andrew Salinas, and other representatives from the Port Hueneme Police Department, were guest speakers at the Port Hueneme Store safety meeting. They addressed concerns related to the local homeless population and offered valuable advice on how to deal with aggressive behavior.
Goodwill VSB Visits Homeboy Industries
On December 6, 2021, the Goodwill Mission Services Re-entry, and Youth Services teams, led by CEO Peter Marcus and Senior Mission Services Manager Alex Renteria, visited Homeboy Industries in the greater Los Angeles area. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.
“Doing what matters” can sum up the visit. The team was able to perceive with eyes and ears firsthand the trials, tribulations, and continuous struggle of former gang members during their odyssey for a better life and success. “Re-entry” is not an unfamiliar word. However, given that government and community-based organizations often have different priorities, the two should work together, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses to facilitate successful re-entry…and there lies a major governing
factor of Homeboy Industries success — “unity.”
The Homeboy Industries visit was a success. Their unique culture, fluid across the board communication and their addressing of several
risk factors, namely mental health, employment, housing, skill development, mentorship, education, and social networks, to name a few, was mind opening.
Founded by Father Greg Boyle in 1986, it continues to provide a holistic, one-stop, wrap around approach to services for former gang
members who are justice involved.
Goodwill on Our Ventura TV
Ventura, CA – On September 28, 2021, program coordinator Micah sat down with Our Ventura TV’s George Alger to discuss Goodwill’s mission to help people in our community overcome barriers to employment. Raising mission awareness through a variety of outlets helps us reach a wider variety of community members who can either benefit from our services, or spread knowledge about our organization’s services. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez, Executive Assistant, at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Connects with Santa Paula Community
Santa Paula, CA – October 9, 2021 – Thanks for stopping by our booth at the Car and Bike Show Fundraiser in Santa Paula today! We’re grateful for opportunities to connect with the community and support like-minded local organizations.
Community outreach allows us to expand awareness of our Goodwill Mission Services programs and connect with those who may need help finding and maintaining meaningful employment.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez, Executive Assistant, at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Mission Services Connects with Local Rotary Club
Oxnard, CA – On Wednesday September 22, 2021, representatives from Goodwill Mission Services in Oxnard met with the Camarillo Rotary Club. The organization is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian leadership organization of local business, civic, and professional leaders, who meet regularly to get to know each other and form the friendships that help get things done in our community.
Meeting with like-minded individuals who are dedicated to helping our local disadvantage population is beneficial for both Goodwill and Rotary Club members in an effort to spread information on the Goodwill Mission and to also build community partnerships.
If you’re interested in learning more about Goodwill’s mission, we encourage you to visit our website at www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez, Executive Assistant, at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Ventura Awarded Best Thrift Store
Ventura, CA – September 16, 2021 – We’d like to thank the VC Reporter and our customers for voting us Best Thrift Store in Ventura County in the 2021 Best of Ventura County! For more than ten consecutive years, we have proudly received this honor.
The VC reporter’s special issue states, “in the pages that follow are your favorite Ventura County businesses, locations and service providers — the people, places and things that you told us, via our online survey, made living in Ventura County cooler, groovier and more far out. It wasn’t easy, I’m sure, having to choose from among so many top contenders, but voters dug down deep to select the very best across the entire spectrum, from antique stores and bowling alleys to veterinarians and wineries.”
View the full issue here.
September 2021
Goodwill Mission Services Dedicated to Community Outreach in Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA – September 3, 2021 – Representatives from our Goodwill Mission Services team have been attending Downtown Fridays in Santa Maria every Friday. We’re excited to be back out in the community, making connections and spreading information on how we can help people who are struggling to find and maintain sustainable and meaningful employment. Please stop by our booth to learn more about the good we’re doing in our community!
We have Mission Services offices conveniently located in Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara to serve members of the County of Santa Barbara. To learn more about our services, check out our Mission Services page here.
August 2021
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Awarded Large Business of the Year
Oxnard, CA – August 12, 2021 – Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties was recognized as the Large Business of the Year at the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) 2021 Oxnard Community & Business Awards. The annual awards ceremony honors outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that make Oxnard a wonderful community to live, work and do business in.
Peter Marcus, President and CEO, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the organization. The WVCBA recognized the organization’s achievements by stating, “Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties goes above and beyond providing supportive and employment services to the Oxnard community and beyond. During the pandemic, they continued to support people with barriers to employment to find jobs and support their families. They provide services to Veterans, people with disabilities, youth, single parents, people who need a second chance, and so much more. They do all this while operating as a large business that employs hundreds of people in the region. Their headquarters is right here in Oxnard.”
The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) is the chamber of commerce serving the cities of Camarillo and Oxnard, California.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez, Executive Assistant, at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Hosts Young Professionals Event
Oxnard, CA – On Friday, September 24,
2021, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties hosted the West
Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) Young Professionals for an in-person
networking breakfast at the Goodwill Corporate Office in Oxnard. Guests had a
chance to network and learn about the services Goodwill offers.
The event was part of an ongoing effort
to improve community awareness of the Goodwill mission and the services provided.
The meeting was followed by a tour of the new headquarters. Facility tours are
available to our community partners! If you are interested in learning more
about the organization and seeing Goodwill’s operations firsthand, please fill
out the form available online here.
The West Ventura County Business
Alliance (WVCBA) is the chamber of commerce serving the cities of Camarillo and
Oxnard, California. Their Young Professionals committee provides a platform for
the next generation of leaders to build strong connections, develop leadership
skills, partner with business and community leaders, and interact with elected
officials. Members find programs that empower them to broaden their awareness
of issues facing community and business, become more competitive in the
marketplace, and fine-tune their leadership skills.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Hosts Luncheon for Community Partners
Oxnard, CA – On Friday, September 1, 2021, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties hosted a luncheon for local organizations in recognition of their support of our programs that serve Justice Involved program participants. The event was part of an ongoing effort to improve community awareness of the Goodwill mission and the services provided. If you’re interested in learning more about partnering with us, please reach out to learn more.
We have several no-cost programs designed to help our community members find and gain meaningful employment, including programs for those who are formerly justice-involved, looking for work, and struggling to find a job. We help people in our community who have criminal convictions (misdemeanor and/or felony) successfully re-enter the workforce and provide the tools needed to be successful. Information on our programs for Justice Involved persons can be found on our website at www.gwvsb.org/justice-involved.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez, at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Relocates Headquarters in Oxnard
Oxnard, CA – On Friday, May 21, 2021, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties (GWVSB) relocated their operation’s headquarters to a new facility located at 1401 N. Rice Avenue in Oxnard. Peter Marcus, GWVSB President and CEO stated, “after operating out of the facility on Lombard in Oxnard for 16 years, it was clear we had reached capacity. With new Mission Service contracts in the works and the anticipation of opening a Youth Center in Oxnard, we found the perfect facility to consolidate all of our office and warehousing needs.”
The new facility houses the organization’s Corporate Office, Oxnard Mission Services, the Goodwill Outlet, the Ecommerce Department, and all warehousing and logistics operations. Mr. Marcus also stated, “we are excited to be under one roof and quickly began to see the benefits of consolidating facilities.”
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation
Oxnard, CA — April 14, 2021 — CARF International announced that Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties has been accredited for a period of three years for the following programs:
- Community Employment Services: Employment Supports
- Community Employment Services: Job Development
- Employments Skills Training Services
- Governance Standards Applied
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a local 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing
vocational and educational opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment, strengthen communities and help people in need reach their full potential through the power of work. For more information, please contact Nicole Chavez at (805) 981-0130 or visit www.goodwillvsb.org.