A MESSAGE FROM GOODWILL NWNC
What Does Goodwill Actually Do?
Most people think Goodwill is just a thrift store. But the store is actually the means to the end — it funds the entire mission: employment and training programs that help people find hope, opportunity, and jobs. And they've been doing exactly that for 100 years, starting in 1926 with nothing but an idea and $500.
1926: A local church launches Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC with just $500 and an idea: help adults with disabilities help themselves through work.
1942: Goodwill joins the national WWII home front effort, collecting and donating scrap materials to support troops and joins the National Association of Goodwill Industries to strengthen its broader impact.
1961: A 60,000-square-foot Rehabilitation Center opens at the corner of Coliseum Drive and University Parkway, combining medical care and job training under one roof.
1963: Goodwill opens North Carolina's first residential facility for adults with disabilities and becomes a national training hub for future Goodwill leaders.
1986: The mission evolves to place anyone facing barriers, not just those with disabilities, into competitive, long-term jobs.
1994: Services expand to 31 counties and 16 retail stores, bringing opportunity to rural and urban communities alike.
2024: Goodwill serves nearly 29,000 people after Hurricane Helene through community hub sites, helping with FEMA claims, unemployment filing, and more.
2025: Serves over 33,000 people and places 4,183 in jobs ranging from CNAs to truck drivers.
Behind this timeline are real people and life-changing programs. Here are a few of them:
Veterans Services: Helped Freeman, a veteran three years into a five-year plan with little progress to show for it, finally land full-time employment at the VA Hospital and get his life back on track
Youth OneLife Program: Provided real-life preparation and career planning for Aurora, a high schooler in the foster system
Skills Training Programs: Helped Terry, a single dad of three, earn a forklift certification and gain the skills a high school diploma alone couldn't provide — so he could build a better future for his family
Ability Services: Helped Jeremy, whose disability benefits were expiring and whose stutter made interviews feel impossible, land his dream job as a Veterinary Medical Technician at the Forsyth Humane Society
As Goodwill NWNC enters its next century, the mission remains the same: help people find hope, opportunity, and jobs. So shop at Goodwill, donate what you no longer need, and share what they actually do, so they can help the next person.
👨 Father’s Day Done Right
Father’s Day is this Sunday! Ditch the shirt-and-tie gift ideas and give him an experience he won’t forget.
Broad Branch Distillery | Photo credit to Anna Cook
Tour Broad Branch Distillery | Go behind the scenes at one of Winston-Salem's best-known distilleries and sample locally crafted spirits!
Join a Cocktail Class | Learn to make all the classic dad drinks at easytalk this Sunday — Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and martinis!
Hunt for Old Records | Take Dad crate-digging for his favorite music artist at Low Five Analog Archive and Whoatone Records.
Give Him the Sauna Treatment | Even dads need self-care. Pure Sweat and Sweat Sesh are your go-to spots for saunas and cold plunges!
Sip & Sway | Country music, a glass of wine, and food trucks — this Sunday at Old Homeplace Vineyard sounds like a laid-back afternoon Dad will love.
Take Him Out to the Ball Game | Truist Stadium celebrates Father’s Day with pregame live music this Sunday.
Play Softgolf | The whole family can join in on this family-friendly version of golf at Tanglewood! Just make sure you let Dad win :)
⚾️ The Dash host cross-town rivals Greensboro Grasshoppers this week. Here's what's on deck:
Thursday, June 18: Margaritaville Night brings tropical tunes from Jerry Chapman, icy drinks, Day Fresh Budweiser special, and laid-back island vibes to the ballpark.
Friday, June 19: The Dash make their season debut as the spicy Carolina Reapers, followed by post-game fireworks.
Saturday, June 20: 90’s Country Night with live pre-game music from Bryce Hensley, a Sweetteas dance performance, Murphy the Bat Dog, and plenty of honky-tonk fun.
Sunday, June 21: Spend Father’s Day at the ballpark with the special 4-pack ticket and meal deal, plus post-game catch on the field.
Spend a night at the ballpark this week! Get your tickets here.*
🗓 Events
Thursday, June 18
Piedmont Pops - Movie scores, Broadway showtunes, and patriotic songs performed by the Piedmont Wind Symphony at Incendiary Brewing! Free to attend. 7:30 PM
Volunteer - Lend a hand at Bashavia Creek Preserve with trail building, habitat restoration, litter cleanup, and more. 9 AM - 12 PM
Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
Kernersville Juneteenth - Explore Black history at Körner's Folly, then head to Harmon Park for live music, vendors, fireworks, and a drone show! 4-9:30 PM
Freedom Moves - Poetry, powerful speeches, and dance come together in a moving performance inspired by Black writers and leaders at the Family Justice Center. 11 AM
Back to Trade - Party band Moxie brings soul, R&B, Motown, and funk to Downtown Winston-Salem's new music series at 6th & Trade. 7-10 PM
Summer Sale - Hunt for deals on clothing, books, toys, and more at the Fostering Faith Foundation's annual sale. Runs through Sunday.
Saturday, June 20
Summer Social - Get ready for a full-on summer block party at 500 W 5th on June 20, featuring live music from Sonny Miles, a vendor market, yard games, and yes, even an ice cream truck.*
Juneteenth Festival - Celebrate with live music, spoken word, food trucks, vendors, and more at Bailey Park and Biotech Place! 12-7 PM
Public Ropes Day - It’s time for an adventure. Take the kids ziplining and rock wall climbing at Miracle Heights Adventures on Crossnore’s campus! 10 AM - 12 PM
Speed Friending - Meet new people through quick, low-pressure conversations hosted by Saya from Mac & Cheese Productions! 6 PM
Dogs & Yoga - Stretch, unwind, and make a few furry friends during this yoga class at Forsyth Humane Society. Rescheduled from last Saturday. 3 PM
🗞 Other News
🚗 Travel: Summer is one of the most dangerous times to drive. With a higher risk of serious auto accidents, it's important to know your options before you need them. If the unexpected happens, Deuterman Law Group has your back with a free case consultation.*
😁 Giveaway: Win a 30-minute, spa-like, professional teeth whitening session. Locally owned by a dental hygienist with 30 years of experience, WhitenUp is enamel-safe and actually effective. Enter our giveaway on social media for a chance to WIN!*
️⚽️ World Cup: Team USA takes on Australia this Friday! Watch the match at Truist Stadium before the Dash game, JOLO Vineyards (free tickets include a tapas buffet), or these other local watch parties.
☕️ Now Open: Viva Barista Cafe is serving up specialty coffee at 229 W. 5th Street, with beans roasted in-house by recent high school graduate Ricky Hidalgo. The space has plenty of seating, a study nook, and even a convertible ping-pong/pool table.
🏛️ Civic: Starting June 22, the city’s Youth Protection Ordinance restricts anyone 17 and younger from public places and businesses between 10 PM and 6 AM through October 12. There are several exceptions for situations like work travel and emergencies. The measure was approved in response to increasing unsupervised late-night youth gatherings.
⚖️ Do you support the Youth Protection Ordinance?
👀 Poll results: When was the last time you sent a handwritten letter?
Last week - 28%
Last month - 20%
Within the past year - 17%
Over a year ago - 36%
Lauren L. sent a handwritten letter last week and shared, “I know how wonderful it feels to receive personal mail, so I try to spread the same feeling of joy by sending some.”
🌀 The Wrap
👋 Meet AK, the newest member of The Go-To! AK will help run our social media and is a photographer, designer, author, and big-time coffee lover. We’re excited to have her on the team!
🗺 Guide of the Week: Your Guide to Kernersville
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content