In 2018, Goodwill Industries of East Texas embarked on a program to help build the financial
strength of individuals and families in the East Texas area. In partnership with the Internal
Revenue Service’s (IRS) Stakeholder, Partnerships, Education and communication (SPEC)
Department, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation program was
launched.
Goodwill’s VITA program began as a single location with a handful of volunteers, and has since
grown into two tax preparation sites, five drop-off sites located in the GoodAssist offices
throughout the region, with over 18 volunteers. All of these locations require multiple
documents, multiple Site ID numbers, as well as Site Reviews and other housekeeping items
that require a large amount of time. All sites are properly documented and security is at the
highest level to ensure taxpayer confidentiality.
With the continued support and assistance from the IRS Spec Department and the Relationship
Manger Tax Consultants assigned to the Goodwill VITA Program, Goodwill has been able to
serve over 864 taxpayers over the last four years. Goodwill’s VITA program served 31 taxpayers
in the first year of operations, and that number grew to 428 last year.
Tax Returns are due to the IRS by Tuesday, April 18th. Call the Goodwill office for an
appointmrent TODAY! 903.593.8438
EARLY GIVING IS NOW OPEN!!
GRADUATE OF THE YEAR 2022
DOMONIQUE BUSH
Dominique Bush enrolled in the Job Placement Program at Goodwill Industries of East Texas in
Jan. 4, 2021 and completed the program Sept. 3, 2021. Dominique was a unique client in that it
seemed that he lacked the desire and motivation at the beginning of Goodwill’s Employment
Services Program. At the beginning, it seemed that he did not care to attend his sessions
because the classes did not seem interesting to him or hold his attention at the time.
Nevertheless, Goodwill’s Employment Specialist never lost faith in the fact that if Dominique
kept showing up, the program would eventually grab his
interest. There were days where it was a struggle for him to complete the materials, but
Dominique continued to show up.
Today, Dominique works for Wal-Mart in Longview, TX where he continues to work hard
applying the skills that he learned at Goodwill. His manager Kara Williams (Wal-Mart) said,
“Dominique started out not knowing much, but he has become an amazing employee.” He is a
reminder to all that it is not how a person starts, but it’s how a person finishes that matters most.
Community Partner
Meet a local UHC agent at our stores on the first Monday of each month.
Visit one of our 15 Stores
From the Desk of the SHE-EO
Meet President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Kimberly Lewis.
Spring In To Giving
East Texas is dancing in color and fragrance with a beautiful array of narcissus, jonquils and
daffodils this time of year. The white or yellow blooms are nature’s reminder that all things can
be cultivated, renewed, and refreshed.
This is also the time of year for Spring cleaning and Goodwill donation boxes are full of
gentle-used shoes, shirts, dresses and household items. We look forward to helping you keep
your wardrobe and your home refreshed. But, most importantly, we value the confidence that
you’ve placed in us to turn those donations into job training, certification courses and
opportunities for people with barriers of employment.
Here you can see for yourself just what the unused items in your home can do for your
pocketbook, the mission, and the environment: https://www.goodwill.org/your-impact/
Your financial donations provide an even faster route to the mission. Just imagine where
someone like Melissa Watson might be without support like yours. Melissa came to Goodwill of
East Texas 26 years ago, with few options for employment.
Today she is independent, has her own vehicle, which she drives to work every day, and has
learned the skills she needs to take of herself, her child and even her aging father. She was
trained initially in a low-skilled task job and has grown to larger contracts at Goodwill’s
Commercial Services facility, a light manufacturing operation, which is the training and worksite
for about 35 persons with significant disabilities, located in Tyler, Texas.
This facility, which is currently undergoing a warehouse expansion, would not be possible
without generous donations. The expansion will enable Goodwill to train and employ more
adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. It is one of several training and employment
programs offered by Goodwill of East Texas.
When completed, we will have to purchase a new racking system, an expense of over
$160,000. This system provides the safety and efficiency needed to provide a sustainable job
for the people we serve. The system includes beams, columns, spacers and anchors used in
these types of facilities and a gift of $32.23 buys one of the 952 – 96” x 3.5” beams.
Every donation counts and helps people to move closer to work, which leads to independence
and financial sustainability. Just as nature renews, refreshes and grows with each season, so
must we, and we are hoping to count on you as one of Goodwill’s cultivators!
Kimberly B. Lewis
President and CEO
Spark Good
With Goodwill
&
Walmart.com
Did you know that now you can round up on Walmart.com in support of Goodwill Industries of
East Texas?
**Log into your Walmart.com account.
**Select Goodwill Industries of East Texas as your preferred non-profit.
**Shop on Walmart.com.
**Continue to check out.
**Click the round up box for Goodwill below the total.
**Place your order as usual.
Join people around the world who Spark the GOOD for Goodwill Industries of East Texas with
Walmart.com
Community Partner
Proforma Horizon Total Source is based out of Tyler, TX and is a part of Proforma, who is the
leader in Printing and Promotional Products Industry.
Proforma is the leader in the printing, promotional products and packaging industries with a
creative edge to add impact and value to your programs. As your agency without the agency
fees, we provide the most innovative & cutting edge product and service solutions through more
than 750 offices across the globe.
903.534.9999
Get to know our Board of Directors
Elizabeth Hutson, 2023-2024 Vice-Chair
Elizabeth Hutson is originally from East Texas and attended UT Tyler. After spending a few
years in Louisiana and Colorado, she moved back to Tyler 10 years ago. She and her husband
have been married almost eight years and have one son, who is graduating high school in May.
She now works at her alma mater as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Cowan
Fine & Performing Arts Center.
Elizabeth has been on the board since April 2019. Her mother-in-law, Carolyn Hutson, was on
the board. Her passion for the organization inspired Elizabeth to serve when her term ended.
When asked how serving on the Goodwill of East Texas board has been different from any other
she’s served on, she shared that what sets GIET – not just the board but the whole organization
- apart from any other she has worked with is the leadership. “Kimberly Lewis consistently looks
for ways to grow GIET and increase service to our consumers. She works diligently to keep the
board engaged with the organization, and watching her work is a true inspiration.”
Elizabeth connects with the Goodwill mission. She was raised with the idea that the best way a
person can contribute to society is by working hard and providing for their family – regardless of
age, gender, education, or other circumstances.just doing the best that one is able. Seeing the
different ways that Goodwill helps its consumers to overcome the many barriers to employment,
and thereby giving them a sense of pride and accomplishment, has been the most impactful
part of the mission for her.
When asked what prompted her decision to serve in a leadership position, she said that in the
years that she has been on the board for GIET, the organization and its mission have come to
hold a special place in her heart. “I want to contribute all I can to the work that is being done for
our consumers and in our community.”
Elizabeth’s response to what she’s learned during her time with the board was an interesting
one. She said, “I want to be Kim Lewis when I grow up! ” She said that her time on the board
and working with Kim and the other board members has taught her that everyone has
something to offer, and that by listening to each other, learning from one another, and putting
effort and energy toward a shared goal, incredible things can happen.
Elizabeth expressed that what she’d say to someone contemplating offering their support to
Goodwill is simple.”Do it! Every contribution, big or small – whether it’s a monetary donation,
goods, work, time, or something else – can build toward something greater. And when everyone
is working for the good, together, we can do good.”