A Message from the Board Chair
As I reflect on this past year, I do so with a deep sense of appreciation. This marks my final year as Board Chair of Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, and I am proud of the impact we have delivered and the progress we have made in advancing our mission.
After making the decision to unify with Amity Goodwill, this year has been about bringing that decision to life. We have seen a thoughtful and successful integration of two organizations, cultures, and teams. From a governance perspective, our Boards aligned around a shared commitment to our mission and our communities, setting a clear path forward. Across the organization, teams connected, began learning from one another and building stronger ways of working. We are truly stronger together, and I’ve had the privilege of watching it unfold over the past year.
Growth has been a defining theme. The unification of Amity and Ontario Great Lakes has strengthened the organization and positioned us to expand our services. We have also extended our presence into new communities, including Port Elgin, creating opportunities for employment, connection, and access to affordable goods, while advancing our commitment to keeping materials in use.
Michelle Micuda BOARD CHAIR
This past year has accelerated our momentum, and I am truly excited about what lies ahead. Expansion plans for Kitchener-Waterloo, Mississauga, Brantford, and other communities are underway. Each new location represents more than physical growth. It reflects our continued commitment to strengthen people and communities through the power of work.
The Board remains focused on guiding this growth phase while ensuring we remain responsive to evolving community needs, advancing our sustainability efforts, and creating employment and pathways to work, particularly for underserved individuals. Together, these priorities will ensure the long-term success and mission impact of our organization.
Progress is made possible by the commitment and effort of the people who bring life to Goodwill’s mission. I am continually impressed by the dedication of our team members, our management, the support of our donors, customers and partners, and the thoughtful leadership of our volunteer Board of Directors. Under the continued leadership of President and CEO Bev Kobe, I have full confidence that Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes will keep pushing forward with purpose, creativity, and heart.
As I transition from the role of Board Chair, I do so with confidence in the future of this organization. Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes is in a position of strength, guided by a clear strategy and an unwavering commitment to its mission, vision and values. I look forward to continuing to support Goodwill and its accomplishments in the years ahead.
Cheers to Goodwill!
A Message from the President & CEO
This year marked an important milestone for our organization as we came together with Amity Goodwill. It was a unification grounded in shared values, a shared mission, and a deep belief that we are stronger together.
Through this partnership, we expanded our reach and impact, serving more job seekers, more individuals, and more communities across the region. By aligning our strengths, expertise, and people, we strengthened Goodwill’s ability to deliver meaningful employment supports while remaining deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
A key focus throughout this year was supporting our team members, particularly in the Hamilton region, where several important mission initiatives were introduced. These included the launch of employee coaches to provide personalized guidance, scholarships to support career advancement, as well as access to an enhanced Employee Assistance Program with expanded mental health services. These investments reflect our belief that when people are supported, they are better able to support others.
As we welcomed new communities into the Goodwill network, we were proud to introduce ClothingWorks in Hamilton, supporting 242 job seekers with the professional clothing and confidence needed to take their next steps toward employment. In addition, our Goodwill Community Bucks program helped extend our impact even further, supporting local nonprofits and strengthening community partnerships that address a wide range of social needs.
We also continued to build on Goodwill’s role as a leader in the circular economy. By keeping goods in use longer, reducing waste, and reinvesting the value of donated materials back into community-based employment services, we are advancing a model that is both environmentally responsible and economically impactful. Sustainability is not an add-on to our work - it is embedded in how we operate, how we grow, and how we create opportunity.
As we launch our new strategic plan, we are energized by the opportunities before us. With intention, we continue to build and expand Goodwill’s presence, investing in the infrastructure, systems, and capabilities needed to ensure that our growth is responsible, resilient, and sustainable over the long term. This includes strengthening our operational foundations so we can scale our impact while remaining true to our mission and values.
What excites me most is not only what we accomplished together this past year, but what lies ahead. As we look to continue building Goodwill’s presence in the Hamilton region, we do so with confidence, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose. We see tremendous opportunity to amplify our mission, deepen our community connections, and create even more pathways to work.
The stories and results shared in this report reflect the amazing work happening every day across our organization and the people who make it possible. To our team members, partners, donors, and community supporters, thank you. Your commitment, compassion, and belief in our mission make this work possible every day.
Bev Kobe PRESIDENT & CEO
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
OUR MISSION
To strengthen people and communities through the power of work.
OUR VISION
Everyone working and thriving in inclusive, sustainable communities.
OUR VALUES
MISSION-DRIVEN IMPACT
We focus on results that strengthen people and communities.
INCLUSION
We embrace diversity and create spaces where everyone belongs.
DIGNITY
We treat every person with respect and humanity.
COMPASSION
We lead with empathy, care, and understanding.
RESILIENCE
We embrace change as an opportunity to evolve, adapt, innovate and thrive.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We take ownership of our actions and commitments.
1,461
INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTED BY EMPLOYEE COACHES THROUGH THE WORKFIRST PROGRAM
+31 % VS. LAST YEAR
Advance People & Mission
WORK AWARDS
Graduate of the Year
Natalia Garcia Rodriguez
502 NEW HIRES
TEAM MEMBERS
NEW JOBS CREATED
1,483 60 1,668
JOB SEEKERS SECURED EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE CAREER CENTRE
100
REFURBISHED LAPTOPS PROVIDED THROUGH THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY
81 TOTAL VALUE OF SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN
POWER OF LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS
$65,547
ADVANCING EQUITY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT
51% YOUTH
75% NO FAMILY DOCTOR
75% NO DENTIST
39% BIPOC
Protect Planet
ADVANCING CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS FOR LASTING IMPACT
We continued to strengthen our environmental leadership, investing in innovative recycling practices, expanding diversion efforts, and advancing partnerships that accelerate circularity across our sector.
This year, working closely with Fanshawe College’s Centre for Research & Innovation, Western University’s Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada we have explored how discarded textiles can be converted into biochar. A sustainable soil amendment for agriculture. Teams have been studying the composition of biochar in a controlled environment and tested its impact on crops such as tomatoes and lettuce. The success of the project is a huge leap toward our circularity goals as we continuously look to innovative ways to keep materials in use longer and reduce waste.
DONATED GOODS
PICTURED ABOVE:
Photos show end of life textiles that are shredded in preparation for the biochar process. As well as what the final product, biochar, looks like when it is ready to be used as a soil amendment.
2.6M
$3.8M
21 COMMUNITY STORES
4 CORPORATE OFFICES
45 DONATION CENTRES
20,780
1.2M IN E-COMMERCE SALES (18% GROWTH) SHOPPERS (13% GROWTH) ITEMS SOLD ONLINE (16% GROWTH) DONATIONS (11% GROWTH)
5 BOUTIQUES/ BOOKSTORES
7 CAREER CENTRES
3 WAREHOUSES
1 OUTLET STORE
2 NEW COMMUNITY STORES
Port Elgin (APRIL 2025)
London South (JULY 2025) Komoka-Kilworth (MARCH 2026)
1 NEW ATTENDED DONATION CENTRE
Strengthen Community
Our impact in the community goes far beyond our Retail Stores and Donation Centres. We help people access affordable secondhand goods both in person and online, and we create welcoming spaces for connection through community meals and coffee at Edgar & Joe’s Cafe. Through our Career Centres, we also offer skills training and career development opportunities that support people on their employment journeys.
In addition, our Round Up program and CommunityBucks help raise critical funds for employee programs and local charities, extending our impact even further. These are just some of the ways we work alongside our neighbours to strengthen communities with compassion. We are deeply grateful to our generous donors and community partners whose support makes this work possible.
281
VOLUNTEERS & CO-OP STUDENTS
14,739
VOLUNTEER HOURS SERVED
12,468
WINTER CLOTHING ITEMS DISTRIBUTED DURING ANNUAL COAT DRIVE
55,000
COMMUNITY MEALS PROVIDED
9,519
COMMUNITY COFFEES DONATED
Meet Tracy
Tracy immigrated to Canada from Uganda, completed her studies, and began building her life and career here. After graduating in 2022, she secured employment in 2023 and remained committed to her role until being laid off in 2025. Shortly after, she met Aida Masuka during an outreach event at the Stoney Creek Library in Hamilton and was introduced to Goodwill Employment Services for the first time.
Through working with a Goodwill case manager, Tracy strengthened her resume, cover letter, interview skills, and confidence in presenting her experience and abilities. The support helped her realize she did not have to navigate her job search alone while adjusting to life as a working professional in Canada.
When an administrative opportunity became available at Goodwill, Tracy applied immediately, inspired by the chance to support other job seekers facing similar challenges. A few months later, she transitioned into the role of Employment Development Specialist within the Pathways program, where she now helps youth connect with
UnificationStronger Together
On June 1st, 2025, the respective Boards of Directors of Goodwill Amity and Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes unanimously approved a unification, marking a strategic step to strengthen impact across Southwestern Ontario.
The milestone ensured continued growth, innovation, and leadership in the circular economy while creating new development and career opportunities for team members. The unification added 111 employees to the Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes organization. Goodwill Amity also celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2025.
Photo showing our Hamilton office team
Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the year ended March 31, 2026 (In Canadian Dollars)
Revenues
Enterprise
Fees for service and operating grants
Capital gains and donations 65,434,666 6,678,881 2,453,532 74,567,079 55,294,115 6,457,081 1,440,446 63,281,642 $ $
Expenses
Administration
Advertising and marketing
Amortization of property, plant and equipment
Circularity
Donated goods
Hospitality
Interest and bank fees
Packaging and light industrial
Premises
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
Transportation
Workforce development 1,499,207 731,401 3,225,578 68,589 3,018,121 485,228 272,680 52,976 10,915,861 48,368,931 1,542,440 2,018,854 72,199,866 1,291,654 712,108 2,774,994 63,715 2,436,346 455,800 223,810 71,979 8,619,064 41,149,346 1,360,678 1,887,097 61,046,591
Excess of operating revenues over expenses before the undernoted Other Income (expense) 2,367,213 2,235,051
Interest income
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Unification costs
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Excess of revenues over expenses for the year 695,307 (22,634) (77,918) (101,430) 493,325 2,728,376 390,200 (27,911) (71,143) (79,357) 211,789 2,579,002