About MERS Goodwill
Mission
MERS Goodwill’s mission is “Changing lives through the power of work.” MERS Goodwill provides a variety of programs and services to help support this mission. Some of the many programs and services offered are career counseling, skills training, education and literacy programs, employment services, and more.
Our organization also provides job opportunities through the Custodial and Business Contracts Division. Those who are hired through the MERS Goodwill Custodial and Business Contracts Division become well-trained and reliable workers. MERS Goodwill is then able to better serve local businesses with services like office cleaning, snow removal, paper processing, and more. The revenue from these services then goes back into more training and education programs, so that we can continue to provide reliable, quality contracted business services.
MERS Goodwill is a non-profit organization and funds a significant number of its programs through the generous donations of others. Whether it’s a monetary donation, auto donation, or clothing donation to one of our retail locations, be assured that your generous contributions are being utilized to fuel and enhance the community. Also, if you shop at any of our MERS Goodwill retail locations, the proceeds from your purchases also go towards our mission.
MERS Goodwill is also the grateful beneficiary of generous gifts from both the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Partnering with these organizations enables us to better serve our community.
History
MERS (Metropolitan Employment Rehabilitation Services) incorporated in October 1940 as a Jewish Employment & Vocational Service to help those in greatest need by providing desired employment and community services. Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by a young Methodist minister. His chapel provided a place where goods were exchanged, repaired and refurbished. Missouri Goodwill was established in 1918.
Expanding For Success
In 2001, Metropolitan Employment and Rehabilitation Service and Missouri Goodwill Industries merged to form MERS Goodwill Industries. Combining resources and capitalizing on the strengths of both agencies resulted in decreased duplication of services and gained efficiency in a number of areas and has provided an opportunity for growth and expansion in all three divisions. Our retail division has grown from 17 locations at the time of merger to now 44 locations. This expansion provides additional resources to the employment and training programs, which has expanded to serve dozens of communities and now annually serves thousands of individuals. Additionally, our contracts division has expanded to over 20 locations and has provided job and training opportunities to hundreds of clients.
Our Strategic Plan
MERS Goodwill’s strategic plan provides for continued expansion with a goal of reaching out to more communities with 50 retail locations and serving individuals across 54 counties. To see what MERS/Missouri Goodwill is currently doing in the community, visit our blog. For more information contact us for a personal response to your questions.
Establishing Partners To Create A Better Community
MERS Goodwill is also the grateful beneficiary of generous gifts from both the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Partnering with these organizations enables us to better serve our community.
Thank you to all who have helped support the MERS Goodwill mission. Visit our Heroes & Success Stories page to see the results of your generosity.
