Advocacy Award

In recognition of their advocacy for collaboration around the Goodwill Connect project, Goodwill is proud to recognize the Delaware Workforce Development Board with the 2025 Advocacy Award. Goodwill Connect was made possible through Congressionally Directed Funding supported by Delaware’s U.S. Congressional delegation.

Accessible statewide via kiosks in Goodwill stores and on internet connected mobile devices, the web-based Goodwill Connect application links Delawareans to training opportunities through the Workforce Development Board’s Career Moves app, to Goodwill’s Career Navigators and Opportunity Accelerator program, to the Delaware Department of Labor’s Job Link and to the United Way’s 2-1-1.

Under the leadership of Board Chair, Scott Malfitano, and Executive Director, Joanna Staib, the Delaware Workforce Development Board’s advocacy for the project exemplifies Scott and Joanna’s dedication to collaboration and improving the economic mobility of Delaware residents through upskilling and connection to essential resources. The Goodwill Connect project is an example of a successful and meaningful initiative that brought together tech, a community-based organization and a government entity. To-date, more than 600 individuals have used Goodwill Connect to link to employment, training, and social services.

Community Partner of the Year Award

Goodwill has named the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) its 2025 Community Partner of the Year. The DCIU is a regional education services agency providing leadership in the development of innovative and cost-effective programs and services to school communities. Through the decade-long partnership between the DCIU and Goodwill, dozens of students with intellectual and developmental (IDD) diagnoses have developed retail and customer service skills, as well as confidence for long-term employment.

Through the DCIU’s OPTIONS Employability Skills Training Program students participate in vocational assessments and tailored training, acquiring hands-on experience in Goodwill retail stores in Upper Darby and Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

The DCIU’s commitment to preparing students for competitive employment in the community directly aligns with Goodwill’s mission to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, illustrating the DCIU’s dedication to advancing Goodwill’s mission.

Employer of the Year Award
New Castle County Hope Center

Our Employer of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has encouraged the full integration of people with disabilities and disadvantages into the workforce.

The New Castle County HOPE Center team draws upon the support of our Goodwill Staffing Services program to source Case Monitors to optimize the center’s operations, allowing the HOPE Center to serve the most vulnerable populations in Delaware. The HOPE Center also leverages the services of our Employment Support team who provide comprehensive case management and employment assistance to HOPE Center residents.

Community Partner of the Year Award
Ministry of Caring

The Community Partner of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has partnered with Goodwill to help advance our non-profit mission to improve the quality of life for people facing barriers to self-sufficiency, through the Power of Work!

Ministry of Caring partners with Goodwill on hosting several people through the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCEP), helping seniors rediscover a sense of purpose and put to use the skills they have learned and developed at Goodwill.

Advocacy Award
U.S. Senator Tom Carper

Our advocacy award is given to a State, Federal, or Municipal Government Official or Entity who has made substantial contributions-collaborative, promotional, supportive, and/or programmatic to Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County.

Senator Carper has personally attended and offered remarks at numerous Goodwill store openings and program graduations, and in 2021, he celebrated with us our 100-year anniversary. In alignment with his work on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he helps lead the fight to address the climate change crisis, in 2022, Senator Carper toured the Goodwill Recycling Center in New Castle, Delaware, lending support to the advancement of Goodwill’s sustainability and workforce development initiatives. In 2023 Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester jointly announced Goodwill’s congressionally directed funding award of $1.128 million to connect job seekers in all three counties of Delaware with training, case management, social services, job support services, and employment opportunities via kiosks in Goodwill stores (Goodwill Connect launches summer 2024).

In recognition of his longtime support of and advocacy for Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County – during his time as Congressman, his tenure as governor, up to and including the present – we are thrilled to honor United States Senator Tom Carper.