Shining Star Awards Luncheon
Palmetto Goodwill will host its signature annual Shining Star Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 10 at the College Center of Trident Technical College from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
All are invited to celebrate Palmetto Goodwill’s community impact and honor three community members who have maximized their full potential through Palmetto Goodwill’s mission of changing lives by providing equitable access to training, education, and employment. Prepare to be inspired as Palmetto Goodwill’s award winners share personal stories of overcoming barriers to achieving success. Click here for more information!
Palmetto Goodwill Announces New Board Members
A diverse group of individuals, backgrounds, and experiences
Palmetto Goodwill proudly announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors: Chief Reggie Burgess, Leandro Cassola, Stacy Cozad, Jamie DeMent, and Lauryce Graves-McIver.
To learn more about our new board members click here!
Red, White and Blue Jean Ball
Pull out your favorite pair of blue jeans and enjoy a laid-back evening at the beautiful Founders Hall. You’ll take in live entertainment under the stars while you sip libations and enjoy some of the best Lowcountry food in town. This year we will again have an unbelievable list of silent auction items. All proceeds will benefit Palmetto Warrior Connection, directly helping local veterans and their families. Click here for more information!
Brian Itzkowitz Appointed Palmetto Goodwill’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Brian Itzkowitz will be the next chief executive officer of Palmetto Goodwill and its affiliate, Palmetto Goodwill Services starting October 25, 2021. He will take the reins from interim CEO Lorna Utley, who has led the organization since April and guided the longstanding nonprofit during their executive transition.
The hiring of Itzkowitz signals a new era for Palmetto Goodwill, where focus will be on expanding community partnerships, growing resources and mission services, and continuing financial sustainability. “Itzkowitz is exactly what Palmetto Goodwill needs right now,” said Chris Harvey, chair of the Palmetto Goodwill Board of Directors. “He is an accomplished Goodwill leader, innovative nonprofit executive, and his vision is perfectly aligned with Palmetto Goodwill’s efforts to grow mission. The board is excited to see his impact, as well as grateful for the stellar guidance of Lorna Utley during this executive transition.”
Itzkowitz currently serves as the chief member advancement officer at Goodwill Industries International (GII), a network of 156 local nonprofit Goodwill organizations across the United States and Canada. At GII, Itzkowitz has engaged Goodwill network leaders in driving commitment, accountability, and traction for the purpose of delivering growth to their business and mission operations. He has been instrumental in helping leaders across the network drive more margin, and regularly collaborates to advance best practices and ensure the effective delivery of mission services.
Itzkowitz has received numerous professional recognitions, including the GII Advocacy Leader Award and named the Arkansas Business Nonprofit Executive of the Year. He was past Board of Directors Chair for GII, the governor-appointed chair for the Arkansas Workforce Development Board’s Strategic Planning Committee, and Co-founder of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in International Finance and Marketing.
Itzkowitz expects to spend a great deal of time initially listening to and learning from Palmetto Goodwill stakeholders, but he’s also eager to work with staff to shape the vision and deliver tangible results. “Brian will be a wonderful next leader for Palmetto Goodwill,” stated Utley. “He has extensive experience in the Goodwill movement, specifically with donated goods and mission services. He will build on the foundation the team has created and our clients, employees, stakeholders and the community will benefit.”
To learn more about Palmetto Goodwill’s new CEO click here.
Truist Foundation Awards Palmetto Goodwill $50,000 Grant to Break Employment Barriers
Palmetto Goodwill has received a $50,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to further its support of low-income, unemployed, or underemployed program participants and continue to help them gain advancement and living sustainable wages.
“During one of the darkest moments in our mission’s history, Truist afforded us an opportunity to continue serving our neighbors who needed intensive employment services the most,” stated Jermaine Husser, VP of Mission Enterprises. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our community partner and look forward to the impact we will continue to make together.”
The Continuum of Care Program will directly benefit Palmetto Goodwill’s Career Opportunity Centers. With seven different locations in South Carolina, the centers lay out how to apply for unemployment, aid in searching for jobs, offer online training and professional certifications, help with interviewing/resume tips, and provide business resources.
With unemployment reaching historic highs in 2020 due to the pandemic, career-coaching models are a necessity in the current economic climate. Those already vulnerable – living in poverty, unemployed, or underemployed, took a huge hit.
The Truist Charitable Fund grant will allow Palmetto Goodwill to place program participants in fast-paced career credentialing programs and/or employment programs, resulting in sustainable employment in high-demand sectors.
Palmetto Goodwill Announces Executive Transition
March 26 – North Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill President and CEO Robert Smith has announced he will step down June 7 after an impressive 40 years of service with the North Charleston-based nonprofit. During his tenure, Smith grew Goodwill from an organization serving approximately 100 individuals to an agency that helped more than 16,000 clients last year.
Robert Smith Honored with International Management Award
November 12- North Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill President & CEO Robert Smith has been honored with the 2020 Kenneth K. King Outstanding Management Award for Executive Excellence, the most prestigious leadership award presented by Goodwill Industries International (GII).
Smith has worked at Goodwill for the past 38 years. He started his career as a truck driver picking up donations…
Palmetto Goodwill to Reopen Walterboro Retail Store
July 6 – North Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill is reopening its Walterboro store Thursday, July 9 after being closed since March due to COVID-19. The store located at 112 Robertson Boulevard will celebrate it’s reopening to the Walterboro community with stocked shelves, thanks to generous donors who cleaned out closets during quarantine, as well as new goods.
Palmetto Goodwill Receives Grant from Truist for COVID-19 Relief Efforts
June 16 – North Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill announced it received a $100,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to continue offering workforce assistance services through its virtual and walk-in Career Opportunity Centers.
The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative, a $25 million philanthropic pledge to support basic needs, medical supplies and financial hardship relief due to COVID-19.
SourceAmerica Honors Palmetto Goodwill with Award
June 12 – North Charleston – Palmetto Goodwill is proud to announce that it has been selected as the 2020 SourceAmerica national Performance Excellence in Government Contracts Award winner.
The Performance Excellence in Government Contracts Award was given for performance connecting professionals with disabilities to employment opportunities while serving as an example to other nonprofit agencies.
Palmetto Goodwill Reopening Several Career Opportunity Centers
April 23 – North Charleston – Palmetto Goodwill is reopening seven of its career opportunity centers and 28 of retail stores with additional safety measures this week to start rebuilding our community and workforce.
Coronavirus Message from our CEO (3/16/20)
Dear Valued Goodwill Customer, Donor, Program Participant,
We know there is growing concern about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a significant health event. The well-being of our customers is our top priority. We want you to know that Palmetto Goodwill is monitoring the latest reports from state and federal agencies regarding suggested actions for organizations serving the public.
Georgetown Career Opportunity Center Recognized for Service
February 3 – Georgetown – The Georgetown Career Opportunity Center has been named “Business of the Month” for February by the Georgetown County, SC Chamber of Commerce.
Palmetto Goodwill Offering Onsite and Online Certification Courses
January 23 – North Charleston – Palmetto Goodwill hosted its first 2020 Hiring Event and Career Info Session today, where it unveiled a new initiative aimed at helping address the state and region’s workforce development needs, while simultaneously accomplishing Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and employment services to those in need.
Palmetto Goodwill and SourceAmerica Recognize Congressman Joe Cunningham as AbilityOne Champion
December 16 – Mt. Pleasant – Rep. Joe Cunningham(D-S.C.)was recently honored as an AbilityOne® Congressional Champion of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Palmetto Goodwill Golden Angel Program Provides Gifts and Meals for Seniors
December 13 – Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill provided a holiday meal and gifts to 80 disadvantaged seniors at the Charleston Area Senior Center, located at 259 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Additional meals and gifts are being distributed to more than 700 low income seniors in lower South Carolina during this holiday season.
