More Goodwill in the Community

The Goodwill of Southern California Attended Donation Center and Bookstore had its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Agoura Meadows Mall on Kanan Rd. on Friday. The center serves as a bookstore as well as an outlet for used goods and donations to be resold at one of the organization’s 65 retail stores. The money in turn goes to benefit people with disabilities and vocational disadvantages.

“Those donations actually create the inventory for our retail operations and proceeds from our retail operations go to supporting our no-cost employment programs and services,” said Sasha Itzikman, Goodwill Southern California’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “What the organization is about is really training and creating job opportunities for people throughout the community." 

According to Itzikman, 93 percent of the organization’s budget supports those particular services. Goodwill Southern California has 27 of these centers in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties that help job seekers. The programs include skills training and resume writing provided by coaches, trainers and service representatives.

“All the people that they give so many jobs to, a lot of disabled people, jobs and a way up … they do a wonderful job,” Councilmember Denis Weber said of Goodwill. “We should embrace people and organizations that do that.”

And the city has done just that. According to Itzikman, the community has already been “wonderfully receptive,” with people inquiring about donations before the center even opened. She said that the fact that the organization’s retail chair lives in Agoura Hills was instrumental in getting a center in the city.

With all the talk of donations and job-training, it is almost as if the books are an afterthought. The center is indeed a bookstore, with thousands of books—everything from Charles Dickens classics to cookbooks—priced modestly at $2.99 for most hardbacks and a dollar less for most soft-covers.

It’s also healthy for the environment. The center takes electronic waste in addition to clothing and household goods. According to Itzikman, Goodwill International is one of the country’s biggest recyclers.

“We’re really about empowering individuals, advancing businesses, enriching the community and caring for the Earth,” she said.

Weber is pleased that the center’s recycling measures coincide with the city’s current environmental-friendly programs. He said he is happy to see such an organization open a center in the city and made sure to thank the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce for their efforts.

“I’m glad the chamber was here,” Weber said of the ribbon cutting ceremony. “We’re so proud of the Greater Conejo Chamber. They do such a nice job.”