Veteran Services
Veterans’ Employment and Training Services
Veterans’ Employment and Training Services, funded by the Houck Family Foundation and Goodwill Houston. Provides employment services to veterans across Harris and Galveston Counties who do not qualify for grant-funded programs. The program has a special emphasis on veterans transitioning from incarceration; with an overall goal of placing 60 of those veterans enrolled into competitive employment.
Contact: Ramon Solabi, 713-699-1648, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Texas Veterans Commission - Employment and Training Program
Veterans Employment and Training Program, funded by the Texas Veterans Commission. Provides employment and training services to 120 Veterans and their dependents (70 veterans and 50 dependents). This program will offer job skills training, tools and uniforms, job search assistance, placement services and transition assistance for service members and families entering the workforce.
Contact: Jesse Jones, 832-900-7467, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Youth Services
LifeLaunch Young Growth Opportunities (GO)
LifeLaunch Young Growth Opportunities (GO), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and subcontracted by Goodwill Industries International for continued support of the Growth Opportunities (GO) program that prepares justice involved youth and young adults ages 18–24, for success in the workplace. The program will serve 70 young adults between the ages of 18-24 and having had contact with the justice system to assist them with their educational and employment goals.
Contact: DeAntwoinette Blake, 713-533-2065, 9606 Hillcroft, Houston, TX, 77096
Right Turn Growth Opportunities (GO)
Right Turn Growth Opportunities (GO), funded by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) to contribute to the Youth Employment Works strategy, that sets a clear vision to support youth and young adult employment and workforce development. Specifically, introducing and preparing 18 – 24-year-old justice-impacted young adults in high-poverty, high-crime communities, for the world of work. With the goal of serving 120 youth and young adults between January 2025 and December 2026. With follow up services through December 2027
Contact: Michael Elliott, 713-899-5652, 9606 Hillcroft, Houston, TX, 77096
Mission Programs
CareerAbilities
This program serves persons with documented disabilities and receives referrals from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Vocational Rehabilitative Services, and the Social Security Administration for the Ticket to Work program. Work assessments, job readiness training, and employment services are provided on a fee for service basis. This program is formerly known as Community Rehabilitative Services.
Contact: Marisha Sonnier-Bailey, 832-954-5382, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
EmployAbility
Funded through Goodwill Industries of Houston. This program provides holistic employment supportive/training services for individuals with multiple barriers and or disabilities to maximize their work performance in a supportive environment. Each participant has an employment plan. This program is designed to meet the major service gap in our community for students “aging out” and adults that require a supportive working environment.
Contact: Vernee Sampson, 832-431-4479, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Ticket to Work (TTW)
Ticket to Work (TTW), funded through Social Security Administration. This program is a free, voluntary program that helps people with disabilities ages 18-64 who receive Social Security disability benefits find work and achieve financial independence. The program’s goal is to help people with disabilities: Improve their earning potential, connect with services and support, prepare for long-term success in the workplace, attain greater self-sufficiency, and increase self-confidence. The program offers services such as: Career counseling, Vocational rehabilitation, Job Placement and Training, Case management, and Benefits Counseling.
Contact: Marisha Sonnier-Bailey, 832-954-5382, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Project Good Hope (PGH)
Funded through the City of Houston, as well as matching private funding from Goodwill Houston. Provides employment services to assess 225 individuals with specific immune diseases and the members of their household, enroll 100 of those eligible households and place 20 into competitive employment at an average wage of $16 an hour.
Contact: Chenita Ross, 713-699-6305, 215 West 20th, Houston, TX 77008
Career Centers
Heights Career Center
Heights Career Center, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 600 participants in the general public, persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment with a goal of placing a minimum of 175 into competitive employment.
Contact: Laura Pena, 713-590-3128, 215 West 20th, Houston, TX 77008
Meyerland Career Center
Meyerland Career Center, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 650 participants in the general public, persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment, with a special emphasis on justice impacted youth, and adults: with a goal of placing a minimum of 200 into competitive employment.
Contact: Darla Beede, 832-570-8619, 9606 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77096
River Oaks Career and Veterans Center
River Oaks Career Center, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 650 participants in the general public, with a specialty Veterans, and with persons with disabilities and barriers to employment; with a goal of placing a minimum of 200 into competitive employment.
Contact: Ramon Solabi, 713-970-1648, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Victory Lakes Connect
Victory Lakes Connect, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 100 participants in the general public, persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment: with a goal of placing a minimum of 30 into competitive employment.
Contact: John Heathcock, 832-712-4331, 2840 Gulf Fwy., League City, TX 77573
City Centre Connect
City Centre Connect, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 100 participants in the general public, persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment: with a goal of placing a minimum of 30 into competitive employment.
Contact: John Heathcock, 832-712-4331, 10521 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77024
Spring Connect
Spring Connect, privately funded by Goodwill Houston. Provides basic employment services to 100 participants in the public, persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment: with a goal of placing a minimum of 30 into competitive employment.
Contact: John Heathcock, 832-712-4331, 1417 Spring Cypress #111B, Houston, TX 77373
Family and Financial Strengthening Programs
Second Century Vision
Second Century Vision, funded by the United Way of Greater Houston. The program is focused on ensuring individuals from the Houston community have the opportunity to attain a sustainable quality of living by increasing their financial stability supported by early education and youth development, and healthcare and our continued commitment to the safety net.
Contact: Clarissa Gaona, 713-970-1669, 215 West 20th, Houston, TX 77008
Eagle Investors
Contact: Muriel Foster, 713-816-1292, 10521 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77024
Career Pathway Training Programs
Apartment Maintenance Professionals Program
Apartment Maintenance Professionals Program, formerly Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT), funded by Goodwill Houston. This program is designed both as an introduction for new maintenance professionals and as a refresher for the veteran employee, to give these professionals the knowledge and tools necessary to run an effective maintenance program. The CAMT program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Career In Construction (NCCER Core/Electrical)
Career In Construction (NCCER Core/Electrical), provides students with both classroom and hands on training to learn the key content which includes, OSHA 10, Flagger Certification, Basic Safety, Introduction to Construction Math, Introduction to Hand Tools, Introduction to Power Tools, Construction Drawings, Basic Rigging, TDLR Electrical Apprentice License, Basic Communication Skills, Basic Employability Skills and Introduction to Material Handling.
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Google® IT Support Professional Certificate
Google IT Support Professional Certificate, provides Google IT Professional Certificate, developed by Google. Includes innovative curriculum designed to prepare individuals for an entry-level role in IT support.
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Microsoft Office® Fundamentals
Microsoft Office Fundamentals, is a comprehensive program designed to develop proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, essential tools for various job settings. Equipping our graduates with these skills provides a solid foundation for career growth..
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator Program (GCTA) for Heat Pump
Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator Program (GCTA) for Heat Pump, funded through Accenture and General Motors, is an intensive skills-based HVAC course, sponsored by Climate and Community Lab, with 160+ hours of comprehensive training in heat pump trouble shooting, customer service, and safety. Funding supported three (3) cohorts of students. Graduates can earn certifications in OSHA10, CPR/First Aid, Construction Basics and EPA-608 Refrigerant Handling. At the conclusion of the program, graduates participate in the Career Connect Day (CCD) where they are given an opportunity to showcase their skills and interview directly with employers
(01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025)
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator Program (GCTA) for Solar & Storage (Pilot)
Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator Program (GCTA) for Solar & Storage (Pilot), funded through Accenture, is an intensive skills based Solar and Storage course, developed by Grid Alternatives, with 120 hours of comprehensive training covering electrical energy fundamentals, safety standards, basics of solar & storage installation, steps to commission a solar & storage system, common maintenance tasks, solar site evaluation, and customer service excellence. Funding supported two (2) cohorts of students. Graduates can earn certifications in OSHA10, CPR/First Aid, Construction Basics, IronRidge’s Solar Installer Certification and GRID Alternatives’ certification for Junior Solar & Solar Installation. At the conclusion of the program, graduates participate in the Career Connect Day (CCD) where they are given an opportunity to showcase their skills and interview directly with employers
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Pathway Home 2 Project Grant (HOPES)
Pathway Home 2 Project Grant (HOPES), funded by the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration and subcontracted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. HOPES, Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society program, which seeks to help DOL ensure that individuals returning to the labor force from the justice system have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment. Provides 85 (37 new enrollments & 48 existing enrollments) eligible adults aged 18 or older, incarcerated in state correctional facilities or local or county jails with workforce services prior to release and to continue services after release, with a focus on Hospitality Opportunities.
*This subaward may be renewed on an annual basis through the remainder of the DOL Grant. (which terminates on 09/30/2025) or if the period of performance is extended by DOL and the subaward is deemed eligible.
Contact: Darla Beede, 832-570-8619, 9606 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77096
Goodwill Career Pathway Program
Goodwill Career Pathway Program, funded through Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. This program will increase access to basic digital literacy for 150 workforce members and career pathway training scholarships for 50 members. The initiative will also provide 50 Dell Latitude 5530 laptops to participants. This grant supports Goodwill’s Digital Career Accelerator initiative, utilizing NorthStar testing, Transfr VR virtual reality and simulation headsets to increase access to career exploration to show digital skill growth in proficiency.
Contact: Tanya Majied, 832-900-7456, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Easy Expunction (Project oVeRcome 2.0)
Easy Expunction (Project oVeRcome 2.0), funded by Goodwill Industries International. This program supports justice-involved individuals, particularly returning citizens, to obtain meaningful employment that aligns with their interests. Specifically, users will experience mock job interviews through virtual reality technology, which will allow them to practice having conversations related to their employment goals and justice involvement. The goal of this XR is to help Second Chance program participants successfully navigate the pursuit of employment opportunities with confidence.
Contact: Denetria Hulin, 832-900-7472, 2520 Brun Street, Houston, TX 77019
Fueling the Opportunity Accelerator
Fueling the Opportunity Accelerator, funded by United HealthCare Services, Inc. This program supports individuals 18 years or older at time of enrollment to serve at least 1,000 individuals and place 700 individuals into employment.
Contact: Shirmira Brandiburg, 281-636-6558, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Employee Services
Serving Individuals Employed by Goodwill Houston
Goodwill Temporary Services
Goodwill Temporary Services (GTS), privately funded by Goodwill Houston through the program’s own social enterprise income. GTS provides temporary job placement and staffing services for individuals with disabilities and those who are unemployed/underemployed.
Contact: Roy Sambrano, 281-480-3930, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
GoodPaths
GoodPaths, privately funded by Goodwill Houston, provides career navigation coaching for 200 retail team members. The program addresses talent development and retention challenges; assist team members navigate career pathways in retail; and prepare team embers for advancement into hard-to-fill leadership roles.
Contact: Poppy Seuffert, 713-702-4593, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Life-Work Connection
Life-Work Connection (LWC), privately funded by Goodwill Houston, provides one-time critical needs assistance for employees. The program objectives include serving 25 team members with urgent case management to help resolve work related and personal issues; helping to stabilize those employees and their families with a crisis recovery plan and resources to better guide them in the right direction.
Contact: Poppy Seuffert, 713-702-4593, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services, privately funded by Goodwill Houston, provides opportunities for hands-on work experience as well as for those who are interested in making a difference in their community. The volunteer program places over 2,000 volunteers and community service participants annually.
Contact: Sierra Smith, 713-249-7892, 1140 West Loop North, Houston, TX 77055
Community Mission Integration
Community Mission Integration (CMI), privately funded by Goodwill Houston, this initiative has three primary models for implementing and scaling CMI across Houston MSAs 14 counties: Career Centers (Services and Programs), Goodwill Retail Stores as Resources Connection Hubs and Community Connection Hubs. By digitally connecting these strategies Goodwill Houston can create a comprehensive approach to service delivery and increase participation and growth of programming for both Goodwill and our partners.
Contact: Darla Beede, 832-570-8619, 9606 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77096
Community Impact
2,997
Volunteers
12,209
People Served in Workforce Development
22,502
Lives Touched
16,180
Community Mission Integration Pop-Ups