The term “American Dream” was first popularized by famed writer and historian James Truslow Adams in 1931, stating “…life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
Through Goodwill of South Florida, Adams’ American Dream is alive, well, and thriving. For 65 years, Goodwill has been an influential community champion for social mobility. Over the last 10 years, Goodwill has been responsible for creating over 12,000 jobs and providing essential services and career support to more than 70,000 people. Since 2014, more than $1.3 billion has been generated by Goodwill’s social enterprise in support of its mission.
Goodwill of South Florida is a leading manufacturer for the U.S. Department of Defense producing millions of articles of clothing annually for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as uniforms for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Also located within Goodwill’s Ryder Apparel Manufacturing Program, is the U.S. Flag Production Center. The site produces both interment flags for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as commercial flags flown daily in many government buildings, from local to Federal. Since opening its flag operations 30 years ago, Goodwill has been represented at more than 2.5 million burials honoring our nation’s Veterans.
