[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2784-S2785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  130TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOKAN GOODWILL

 Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Goodwill of 
Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas, also known as MoKan Goodwill, for 
their 130th anniversary of being a pillar of support for the Kansas 
City community.
  Goodwill Industries' mission has remained the same since its 
founding: provide services and resources for those in need wherever 
they may be. For the Kansas City region, the Helping Hand Institute 
carried out this mission starting in 1894. They provided food, shelter, 
and work relief programs for those who were homeless and without 
resources. Through the Helping Hand Institute, thousands of Kansas City 
citizens were able to obtain employment and become self-sufficient.
  By 1925, Goodwill Industries of Greater Kansas City had grown to 
incorporate workforce programs focused on collected used goods and then 
trained and hired people with disabilities or disadvantages to repair 
those goods. These repaired items were then sold in stores to support 
the program. In the 1940s, Goodwill had expanded its focus to become a 
training center and added services such as employment skills training 
and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. In 1956, 
Goodwill started workforce development programs supported by contracts 
with the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, providing paid 
employment for persons with disabilities who repaired donated furniture 
and clothing sold in Goodwill stores.
  In 1978, it became apparent that a name better reflecting the 
geographical scope of Helping Hands Institute and Goodwill Industries' 
programs and services was needed. In 2010, the organization changed to 
its present name, Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.
  Today, I am proud to say that MoKan Goodwill continues to be a 
nonprofit

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leader in the Kansas City region providing resources and services to 
individuals who face barriers to obtaining employment. No matter the 
barrier, MoKan Goodwill continues this 130-year mission to help provide 
those in need an opportunity to become self-sufficient and participate 
in the rich work of their local communities. I congratulate MoKan 
Goodwill on their service to our communities and wish them the best of 
luck with the next 130 years.

                          ____________________