UPDATE: 11/15/2021

In response to the COVID-19 health pandemic, we at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida understand the multi-faceted impact business closures, furloughs, layoffs, and unemployment has on individuals and families. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our community and employees. While we navigate these challenging times, the needs of the people we serve and support in Central Florida continue. We are committed to our mission of Building Lives That Work.

Program and Services Updates

As COVID-19 continues to impact Central Florida, we are working to mitigate the potential effects in our communities and our operations in conjunction with local, state and federal agencies.  The well-being of our employees, partners, and the community continues to be our most important priority.  As an organization dedicated to serving the public, we are taking this quickly changing situation seriously.

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida will pause accepting new community service workers (CSWs) until further notice. Current CSWs participating in community service with our organization are not to report until further notice. Updates will be posted on our COVID-19 resources page as they become available.

Retail Stores and Donation Xpress Centers

Our retail stores and Donation Xpress Centers in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties are open.

• New Clearance Outlet hours
• • The Rockledge Clearance Outlet is now open Monday-Saturday from 9 A.M.-5 P.M., and 10 A.M.-5 P.M. on Sunday
  • Pine Hills Outlet is now open Monday-Saturday from 9 A.M.-6 P.M., and 10 A.M.-6 P.M. on Sunday
  • The Taft Outlet is now open Monday-Saturday from 9 A.M.-5 P.M., and closed on Sunday.
• All Donation Xpress Center locations are open daily from 9 A.M.-5 P.M.

To maintain the health and safety of our customers and retail associates, the following restrictions for the Outlets will be in place:

• 5 shopping sessions (9 A.M., 11 A.M., 1 P.M., 3 P.M., and 5 P.M.) will be available for shoppers throughout the day to shop
• Each session will be limited to 75 people and they will have one hour to shop
• Only 1 person is allowed at a table at a time, for 5 minutes, before moving to the next table
• Tables are sanitized between each session and are spaced 8 ft apart
• Shoppers will be given a ticket that allows them to shop during their specific session and there will be designated entry and exit points
• Shoppers may return to the line for the next shopping session once they have completed their hour

As a reminder, please do not leave your donated items outside retail store donation doors and Donation Xpress Center doors after closing hours.

Job Connection Center employment assistance services are available virtually and over the phone. For employment assistance, please call (407) 235-1541 or email jobconnection@goodwillcfl.org to receive services. We are not able to assist individuals in-person at this time.

Job Seeker Request for Services

Employer Request for Services

Get access to 200+ free online courses including computer basics, MS Office, Google, job searching, and much more with GCF Learn Free.

Vocational Services and Training Programs Updates

• Phone – Call us at 407-235-1560 or 407-853-9466
• Video – Arrangements may be made for a video call
• Email – lisseth.russa@goodwillcfl.org

If you would like to get services through Vocational Rehabilitation Division go directly to their website.

Please be aware that local Vocational Rehabilitation offices are temporarily closed to the public to minimize exposure to COVID-19. VR representatives are reaching out to anyone needing our services by phone and/or email, not in-person. For local contact information, click here.

Questions, call VR Headquarters Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (EDT) toll-free at (800) 451-4327 and email at VRDirector@vr.fldoe.org.

Neighborhood Center for Families (NCF) Updates

Services provided by the Neighborhood Centers for Families (NCF) will be provided in-person, by phone or email.

Please visit the Orange County website and YouTube channel to learn more about what the Neighborhood Center for Families is doing to serve Orange County amid COVID-19.

Florida Department of Child and Families:

Apply for food assistance, cash assistance or Medicaid

Veterans Crisis Line:

• Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
• Send a text to 838255
• Chat online
• Support for deaf and hard of hearing call 1-800-799-4889

Unemployment Insurance:

Insurance for those who become unemployed through no fault of their own

Re-employment Assistance Insurance:

1-800-204-2418 during the hours of 8 am to 5 pm

Housing and Rent: 

Department of Housing and Urban Development: Assistance for residents who are concerned about housing, renting, foreclosure and eviction

• Immediate assistance:
  • FHA Single Family: answers@hud.gov or call 1-800-CALL- FHA
• Public and Indian Housing: call 800-955-2232
• Fannie Mae Assistance Options for Homeowners
• Freddie Mac: mortgage relief 
• Federal Housing Finance Agency: Suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days due to COVID-19

Job Loss and Unemployment:

• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity re-employment assistance
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

Health and Welfare:

• Coverage and Benefits related to COVID-19 Medicaid and CHIP
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Distress Helpline
  • Provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to those in emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters
  • To connect call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746

Household Assistance:

• Free Spectrum Broadband and Wifi: access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum Broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100/mps.
  • To enroll call 1-844-488-8395
• Comcast Internet Support for New Low-Income Customers
• AT&T Support
• Sprint Support

Report Price Gouging:

Florida Office of the Attorney General

File Taxes Online for Free