Goodwill Industries Building facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Goodwill Industries Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Goodwill Industries Building
Location	2102 W. Pierce St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Built	1912
Architect	Herman Esser
NRHP reference No.	04000714
Added to NRHP	July 14, 2004

The Goodwill Industries Building is an old factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's a special place because of the important work done there. In the 1930s and 1940s, Oliver and Robert Friedman created new programs. These programs helped people who were blind or had mental disabilities. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it's an important historical site.

The Building's Early Days

This building was first a knitting factory. It was built in 1913 for the Van Dyke Knitting Company. The company made "fine grade" ribbed underwear. A famous architect named Herman J. Esser designed the four-story building. Over the years, more parts were added. Most of the factory was finished by 1925. In the 1930s, the company moved its factory.

Goodwill's Important Mission

Goodwill Industries bought the factory in 1936. Goodwill started in 1902 in Boston. A minister named Dr. Edgar J. Helms began it. His goal was to help people who were struggling. He wanted to give them training and jobs. This included people with disabilities. In 1910, Goodwill grew and spread across the country. After 1915, the organization officially became 'Goodwill.'

Goodwill Comes to Milwaukee

Milwaukee Goodwill Industries started in 1917. Oliver Friedman became its leader in 1921. He helped the group grow a lot. By the mid-1930s, nearly a hundred people worked there. The Milwaukee Goodwill needed a bigger space. So, they bought the old Van Dyke factory in 1936.

New Ways to Help People

Oliver Friedman had a big idea. He believed Goodwill could do more than just offer jobs. He wanted to help people in seven different ways. These included physical and mental help. It also included job training and learning new skills. In 1937, he started an Occupational Therapy Department. This was the first time any group like Goodwill did this in the U.S. In 1938, Friedman became the head of Goodwill Industries nationwide. During World War II, Goodwill helped by collecting things for recycling. They also helped raise money.

Robert Friedman's Innovations

Oliver's son, Robert Friedman, took over in Milwaukee in 1942. He found new jobs for blind and mentally handicapped people. He connected them with local companies. These companies needed help with packing and assembly. Robert also started a new idea. He had personal counselors work with each person. These counselors helped workers with their specific needs.

What Happened Next

In 1963, Goodwill moved to a new location. Another company, Brill Brothers, made clothes in the old factory. They stayed there until the late 1990s. In 2003, the building was changed into apartments.