When you donate to Goodwill Central Coast, you’re giving more than just clothing, furniture, or household items — you’re offering others a chance for a fresh start.
Each donation we receive goes beyond the sales floor, directly supporting our mission to empower individuals through career resources, skill-building programs, and job opportunities. With your help, we’re transforming lives right here on the Central Coast.
How your donations make a difference
Every item you donate helps fund life-changing programs that are critical to building a strong community. GCC uses proceeds from sales to provide job training, career counseling, and skill-building workshops for individuals looking to improve their employability. For many, these programs are the first step toward building a fulfilling career, gaining confidence, and achieving financial stability.
GCC by the numbers
In a typical year, GCC receives more than 630,000 donations, totaling more than 25 million pounds of clothing and household items. From those generous donations, GCC diverts more than 16 million pounds from landfills, and the money raised helps fund programs that put thousands of people back to work.
It’s a win-win proposition — for the people and the planet. Donations help empower individuals to find meaningful employment while helping preserve and protect the precious landscape.
GCC accepts everything from clothing and accessories to small household appliances and furniture, electronics, books, fine china, art and other collectibles in good or new condition. GCC is especially interested in donated clothing, shoes, housewares, small electrical items, and small electronics.
Career resources for a brighter future
The impact of your donations extends to a range of supportive services. For example, our career center offers resume-building workshops, interview practice, and job placement assistance — all designed to help people successfully enter or re-enter the workforce. By donating, you’re helping others gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. Many of the people we serve are single parents, veterans, or individuals facing challenging life transitions; your generosity helps them move forward with dignity and purpose.
Empowerment through Opportunity Platform
Recognizing that everyone’s path to success is unique, the Opportunity Platform provides a range of personalized tools, training programs, and support services aimed at equipping individuals with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to start a journey toward financial security. Our team of Goodwill Resource Specialists provide one-on-one financial coaching to help people achieve their personal money goals.
Each enrolled member will learn to pursue their long-term financial dreams, gain job security, increase income, and become debt free in a structured and compassionate way. Our Resource Specialists can also personally connect them with other trustworthy organizations and services in our Active Referral Network. Membership is free and counseling is confidential.
Through the Opportunity Platform, Goodwill Central Coast is committed to providing the resources that individuals need to achieve lasting success and independence.
Navigating the digital landscape
At Goodwill Central Coast, we believe that with the right resources, anyone can build a better future. That’s why we continue to invest in digital literacy. It empowers individuals to access information, communicate effectively, secure employment, think critically, and navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
Our mission at GCC centers around our ability to remove obstacles to employment. Studies show that older individuals, those with lower educational attainment and lower income are less likely to have flexible internet access. They are also less likely to have digital job search skills, including the ability to create a professional resume, use email to communicate with potential employers, and fill out job applications online.
To help bridge this gap, we have expanded and enhanced our Digital Literacy program. We offer free tutoring in the following: Career Search Skills; Computer Basics; Information Literacy; Internet Basics and Online Security; and Understanding Email and Social Media.
Donating: A simple act with big impact
When you clean out your closet or sort through your household items, consider donating the things you no longer need. Gently used clothing, furniture, electronics, and other household items are especially valuable as they directly support our mission. Not only does donating reduce waste and keep items out of landfills, but it also makes a tangible impact on the lives of people in your community who are ready to take the next step.
Give others the gift of a fresh start
Every donation to GCC brings hope, opportunity and a fresh start to individuals who are working hard to build better lives. The items you no longer need can become the foundation of someone else’s journey toward self-sufficiency and success.
So, as you declutter and refresh your own space, remember that your gently used items have the power to create lasting change. Donate to Goodwill Central Coast and be part of a community that uplifts and supports each other — one donation at a time.
To find out more about what you can donate to Goodwill Central Coast, click here. Find a donation center here, and turn generosity into the creation of jobs and self-sufficiency for everyone.
