EL CENTRO — El Centro teens Izel Garcia, Nicholas Tejeda and Esai Rizzutto were among the hundreds who lined up to join the grand opening of Goodwill Imperial Valley on Thursday, Aug. 8, making it their personal mission to be part of the VIP list that received exclusive perks for being first in line.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Imperial Valley’s newest second-hand retail store, employment center and donation center drew in many like the trio of Central Union High School students. “We got up really early and we decided to bike over here,” Izel said. “There were like four people in line” by the time they arrived around 7 a.m.
By the start of the 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, there was a long line inside the storage portion of the warehouse that divided the building from the customer retail area. The line wrapped around the outside of the building and along the right-hand side of the building, with Imperial Valley shoppers ready to support the newest 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Robert Russel, chairman of the Goodwill San Diego Board of Directors, was all smiles when he took the microphone before the official ribbon cutting. He told the audience that Goodwill San Diego board members decided in February 2020 to start seeking out Imperial Valley locations to expand to, but the COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on those efforts.
“When we found this location, I went back and reported to our board that if we don’t take that location, we may never end up down in the Imperial Valley because we’re not going to find it better,” Russell told the crowd.
The storefront at 351 Wake Ave., the former home location of Lucky grocery store, included an enormous building with enough space for retail, storage, donations sorting and the employment center the nonprofit organization runs as well.
Sean Wilco*ck from the Imperial Valley Business Resource Center spoke about Goodwill coming to the Imperial Valley. “We thought from the beginning this was an ideal location, and we really incentivised them to be here because we knew that the needs would be here, and the services they provide are very much needed in the county,” Wilco*ck explained.
“If you want to go to work and don’t have a job, use our employment center, and we’ll be delighted to help you out in any way we can,” Russell told the audience, emphasizing the other resources offered through Goodwill.
Oversized-scissor Celebrations
Fifteen-year-old Anaya Bonilla of Imperial gave her thoughts while waiting in line to enter the store. “I’ve been obsessed with Goodwill and I’ve never been to the store. I’ve seen it online and I wanted to go to one,” she said.
Bonilla said she’s window shopping for now until something catches her eye, but she may look for things for her room and for school.
El Centro city officials, Goodwill staff and residents had the waiting area buzzing with excited conversation of prospective newfound treasures within the Goodwill shelves before the doors officially opened on Thursday. Following safety protocols, only 160 people were allowed inside the retail area at one time.
The three CUHS students who came out early on Thursday, enjoyed their last week before class starts by thrifting together. Izel was pleased to report that herself and her two friends were among the lucky individuals who got complimentary breakfast and refreshments from Goodwill staff earlier that morning. The three Spartans received exclusive breakfast tacos that were advertised to only the first 25 individuals in line.
“We really wanted to get the tote bag,” Izel added, gesturing to her new large plastic tote that had the Goodwill label on the side, signaling a successful mission.
After a brief interview with the Chronicle reporter inside the store, the three students scurried off to look through all the hidden treasures displayed in the storefront, ready to take full advantage of their well-timed place in line. Over the excitement of shoppers, a raffle was going on, with lucky winners numbers being announced and given $20 gift certificates back to the retail store.
Once through the retail doors, another shopper, Isabel Garcia was asked what brought her into Goodwill on Thursday. “I was looking for this,” she answered, indicating to her two beautiful wooden shelves in her shopping cart.
“I moved here to El Centro and I need furniture. And I like this color and I like this store because they have a lot of stuff,” Garcia said elaborating further.
More Than a Retail Store
While the huge retail store had rows upon rows of clothing and various knick-knacks for residents to survey, Goodwill officials made sure to emphasize to the public that the Goodwill facility was not only a shopping center, but also a resource center.
“We have a strategy in place to assist community members in need and we are looking forward to working alongside local leadership to make your dreams a reality, because that’s the magic of making good happen,” said Toni Griffin, the president and chief executive officer of Goodwill San Diego.
Darlene Cossio, the director of marketing for Goodwill San Diego and Imperial County further explained. “We’re a local non-profit, meaning the revenue that’s produced at this location is invested in this community. Our programs and services are here free for this community,” Cossio said.
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The way the Goodwill employment center works is that everybody comes through the career center where advisers are paired up to help. “They help community members looking for work with their job search. They help them with their online job application, with their resume, with their interview preparation, with financial literacy. So they give them all of those tools so they can earn a certificate,” Cossio said.
Advisers stay in contact for up to a year afterward to make sure individuals are still employed, or maybe if they were looking for a promotion, advisers can make sure they receive assistance.
The revenue from the retail store goes to support the various programs Goodwill offers. From the youth and young adult program for people ages 16-25 years old, to the veterans program offered to military members and families, to the paid training program where individuals are paid to receive training and learn how to do a certain job.
Some of the staff were part of the work-training program, but Cossio clarified that not everybody in their work programs needs that help.
“We are very aware of the high unemployment rate here and we are employing only local community members,” Cossio said when asked about the 16.5 percent unemployment rate in the Imperial Valley.
“Our eyes are open to the challenges that we’re facing here,” she said, ready to help where possible.
“This store means that we have now taken an empty vacant store and revitalized it into a service to the community. And so not only will it benefit you as the residents but it also benefits the city. Because any new business that comes into El Centro, we generate sales tax revenues and that’s what helps us operate,” El Centro Mayor Sylvia Marroquin said, stating one of the many benefits of the new business.
“Have a good day shopping, because that store is full!” the mayor told the crowd excitedly.
Visit https://ivgoodwill.org/ for more details, including what items the donation center accepts, store hours and employment information.
