Photo by john larson
GO GREEN. Patrick Blanc designed the vertical garden on an exterior wall of Tacoma Goodwill’s new building.
Tacoma Goodwill marked a major milestone this month with the opening of Milgard Work Opportunity Center. At four stories tall, with 63,000 square feet and a $21.7 million price tag, the building on Tacoma Avenue and South 27th Street is next to Goodwill’s current building, which was built in 1965.
It houses Resources for Education and Career Help, a partnership of a dozen educational institutions and non-profit agencies that provides career and development services for at-risk young adults. Goodwill is covering the cost of having staff from the partner agencies in the center to provide services.
A distance learning theater, a partnership with Tacoma Community College, will expand outreach in other counties Goodwill serves.
An adaptive computer lab is designed for people with disabilities.
Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation was one of four entities to donate in excess of $1 million. The others were Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the State of Washington and longtime Goodwill benefactor Hugh S. Ferguson, who has a plaque saluting his generosity on a wall on the third floor.
John and Buzz Folsom were co-chairs for the capital campaign. “Our programs are vehicles to change lives. They have the power to change our community,” Buzz Folsom said.
The building was designed by BCRA and built by Rushforth Construction. Making it environmentally friendly was a goal of Goodwill. It has been certified at the gold level for leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED). Ample windows allow much natural light into the structure and design features will conserve water.
The building is so “green” it actually has landscaping growing out of the side of one exterior wall.
It was designed by Patrick Blanc of France, renowned around the world for his vertical gardens. This is his first project in the United States. “This was the right place,” he said. “I think it will be very inspiring for the young people.”
On the first floor is Coffee Buzz, an espresso stand that provides training for baristas. Upstairs is Neighborhood Bistro, where anyone can pop in for a low-cost lunch prepared by participants in Goodwill’s new culinary training program.
Jeff Henderson, a celebrity chef who launched his culinary career 20 years ago after serving a prison sentence for a drug offense, was in Tacoma to be keynote speaker at Goodwill’s annual breakfast in 2008. He returned last week to assist culinary students preparing appetizers for a reception for project donors.
He said he was honored to be involved in the program’s debut. Henderson noted that food service is one industry where someone with a checkered past can get a chance. “The day I got out of prison, I got a job washing dishes,” he remarked.
State Representative Jeannie Darneille gives much of the credit for Tacoma Goodwill’s growth to CEO Terry Hayes. “This organization is led by a woman with great drive and vision,” Darneille said. “That is reflected by the fact they could make something like this new building happen.”
She describes Tacoma Goodwill as a good example of a non-profit organization that helps people become self-sufficient, rather than just giving handouts. “Decades ago Goodwill realized if they could create job opportunities, it would not just help the community. It would create futures for the people it serves.”
“This building honors our clients, the people we serve,” Hayes said. “We wanted a place that treats people with dignity and respect. Goodwill has always been an asset to the community and the new center offers more ways for us to fulfill our mission and help people get jobs.”
“Milgard Work Opportunity will transform the delivery of job training and placement services with new, expanded approaches to changing lives for people with disabilities or disadvantages across our region,” Goodwill Board President Bob Bruback said.
A dedication ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on Sept. 23. Governor Christine Gregoire is scheduled to speak at the event.
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