Background
I volunteered to work with Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulfcoast. This organization was founded in 1902 by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, an early social innovator and Methodist minister. Helms used to collect clothing and household goods from affluent parts of the city, then proceeded to hire people who could mend the goods. After that, the goods were resold or given to individuals who repaired them. This system became successful and resulted in the Goodwill philosophy which stated that “a hand up, not a hand out”. Dr. Helm’s vision set the precedent for the $4 billion non-profit organization ...
