Goodwill of WNY and Goodskills Career Builder Honored by Trocaire College

Goodwill of Western New York and the Goodskills Career Builder Team was recently recognized with the 2026 Trocaire College President's Award. This award is presented annually to a person, group, organization, or corporation whose partnership furthers the college's mission, vision, and mercy values. Several members of our team were on hand with Tom to receive the award last week.

Trocaire College has been a partner of Goodskills Career Builder since its pilot program in 2021 and continues to provide technology training for all of the individuals that come through Goodskills. This partnership has resulted in more than 900 Goodskills Graduates completing this training in partnership with Trocaire. 

From the award program:

Goodwill of Western New York has been a cornerstone of opportunity and innovation in the Buffalo community for more than a century. Chartered in 1920 as Buffalo Goodwill Industries, the organization was founded on the enduring philosophy of “not charity, but a chance,” inspired by Goodwill movement founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms. From its earliest days on Michigan Avenue, Goodwill of Western New York has remained focused on empowering people to reach their fullest potential through the power of work.

Its programs are fueled by a social innovation model that transforms community donations into sustainable impact through a network of 11 retail stores, an outlet center, and eight community-based donation centers. Donated goods are sold locally and online, generating revenue that is reinvested directly into local workforce development and employment programs . This model promotes reuse, reduces waste, and creates a self-sustaining cycle in which every donation supports job training, career advancement, and economic opportunity across Western New York.

At the heart of this mission is Goodskills Career Builder, Goodwill of Western New York’s flagship workforce development initiative, offering adults targeted, no-cost training for higher-wage careers in manufacturing and tech-aligned fields. Participants earn industry-recognized credentials, gain hands-on experience and job-readiness skills, and receive guidance from a dedicated career coach for up to three years.

Goodwill of Western New York is deeply grateful for its partnership with Trocaire College, which provides classroom-based IT instruction taught by Trocaire faculty, focused on foundational IT skills, cybersecurity awareness, and CompTIA Tech+ content.

Receipt of this award is the result of true collaboration of dozens of community partners and the support of thousands of shoppers and donors across Western New York committed to changing lives through the power of work.

To learn more about our partnership with Trocaire, the award video shown at the event is available here:  Trocaire 2026/Goodwill of WNY | Videos & Movies on Vimeo