Goodwill Keystone Area today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the remodel of its long-standing Phoenixville store and to usher in an exciting era of workforce training and development with the introduction of the organization’s mobile learning lab.
The Goodwill Phoenixville store at 700 Nutt Road has undergone several enhancements to provide an inviting atmosphere to its expansive 15,000-square-foot space. Along with refreshed branding, new store displays and improved traffic design in the retail area, the backroom production area has been expanded to allow Goodwill employees to process a higher volume of donations while ensuring safety.
“Goodwill has operated at this location for a quarter-century, which is a testament to the incredible support from the Phoenixville-area community,” Goodwill Keystone Area Chief Production Officer Andrew Gackenbach said. “We thank our generous donors for continuing to drop off their gently-used items, and we are thrilled to provide an enhanced shopping experience with improvements made to the store floor and increased inventory resulting from changes to our back-of-shop operations."
Gackenbach noted that proceeds from the sale of donated items at Goodwill’s retail stores support the organization’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill is fulfilling its mission in Chester County through:
- Employment Services – Helping people with barriers to employment locate, obtain and maintain work;
- Benefits Counseling – Guiding individuals in understanding how earnings may impact their cash and health insurance benefits, and what work incentives they may be able to use;
- Community Service Hours – Finding locations, including the Goodwill Phoenixville store, where individuals who are court-ordered can complete community service hours.
Goodwill is introducing a new mission service through its brand-new mobile learning lab. The 24-foot trailer includes five computer workstations, virtual reality headsets, TV monitors and Wi-Fi access, and serves as a one-stop destination for job-search assistance, job-readiness training, digital literacy and financial wellness.
“Currently, there are large gaps in vocational training programs and job-readiness services,” Gackenbach said. “The Goodwill Learning Lab allows us to bring job training in essential skills and emerging technologies directly to those who need it.
“Whether it be upskilling employees in our store parking lots or bringing virtual reality training to community members, the lab offers a unique and immersive learning experience.”
Those attending today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included Chester County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz, Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler, Goodwill leaders and Goodwill Phoenixville store staff.