Good News

Following the collaboration between Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and French textile regeneration company, Reju, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ President and CEO, Jennifer Lake, spoke with WXXI’s Beth Adams about expanding the way we think about the textile recycling journey. Their 10-minute discussion highlighted what happens to post-consumer textiles, donation and…

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju; Jennifer Lake, President & CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes; and Regional Leaders gather to spotlight community-driven circularity efforts  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (February 17, 2026) — Reju, the textile-to-textile regeneration company transforming post-consumer textiles into new materials, and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes gathered with dignitaries today to…

Congratulations to Jennifer Lake, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, for being selected as a member of Rochester Business Journal’s Power 100 List! This honor recognizes the most influential changemakers in our region. Lake's commitment to Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ mission and identifying opportunities in a fast-paced,…

On February 11, 2026, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes welcomed members of the community to their headquarters for an Open House in celebration of National 211 Day.  The Open House gave community members a chance to explore Goodwill’s mission-driven programs, including Goodwill Vision Enterprises, 211/LIFE LINE, Goodwill Learning Academy, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.…

Nine adult graduates of the Goodwill Learning Academy received their NYS high school equivalency diplomas during a ceremony and reception at the Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ headquarters on January 30, 2026. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life-changing milestone, marking the academy’s second graduation and a tripling of its 2025 inaugural class.   The academy offers…

Jennifer Lake, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, has been named to the 2025 Rochester Business Journal Power List for Environmental Leaders. This recognition highlights local changemakers who are leading the charge on today’s pressing climate challenges. Lake’s honor reflects her strong commitment to advancing sustainable practices and driving meaningful…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes hosted its annual Veterans Day Breakfast, bringing together staff, community members, and honored guests to recognize and thank those who have served our nation. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the courage and sacrifice of veterans, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting those who have served.  Jennifer Lake, President…

With generous support from NYS Senator Samra Brouk and Assemblymember Sarah Clark, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes will be opening a new store at Skyview on the Ridge in Irondequoit.   The new location will feature approximately 25,000 square feet of space, including a retail store and donation center. The new location is…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes opened its newest retail store and donation location in Monroe County, in East Rochester, NY on Friday, October 10. The new 28,175 square-foot store occupies the former Big Lots at 825 Fairport Road in the Wegmans Plaza. Doors opened to the public at 9 a.m. following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first 100 shoppers 16 or older who entered the store on October 10…

On October 9, 2025, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes was featured on News 8 WROC as the opening of their new East Rochester store was approaching. Their segment covered how Halloween is a time for fun and fright and emphasized the importance of keeping costumes and accessories accessible for everyone. To showcase the Halloween potential at Goodwill, President and CEO Jennifer Lake and the…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes proudly hosted County Executive Adam Bello and Mayor Malik Evans at the 211/LIFE LINE Contact Center for the official announcement of Monroe County’s new Youth Services Directory. This innovative online tool is designed to help families and those who support young people find afterschool programs, summer activities, and other…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes hosted its annual “Sustainability Under the Stars” event on September 12 at The Highline Rochester. Guests gathered around the runway to see sustainable fashion featuring upcycled and curated designs by local talent.  Designers Danae Alarcón, Monicke Allyene, Nathaniel Johnson, Chloe Schnell, and Connor Sokal and…

On September 8, 2025, nationally recognized as 988 Day, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes hosted an Open House to invite members of the community to their headquarters, offering a chance to learn more about its operations and mission, including their locally-powered 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Day, which occurs annually during National Suicide Prevention Month, is dedicated to…

On August 16, 2025, family, community members, staff, and leadership gathered at the Goodwill of the Finger Lakes headquarters to celebrate the first-ever graduation for Goodwill Learning Academy — honoring three adult graduates who earned their New York State High School Equivalency Diploma.   The 2025 graduating class stands as a powerful testament to GLA’s mission to…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes opened its third location in Ontario County, in Geneva, NY on Friday, August 8. The new 14,000-square-foot thrift store occupies the former Tops Friendly Markets at 381 Hamilton Street. Doors opened to the public at 9 a.m. following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first 100 shoppers who entered the store on August 8 received a $10 Goodwill gift card. According to Finger…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is grateful for all the volunteers who joined us for United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ Day of Caring. Alesco Advisors' team worked hard in our Outdoor Mobility Training Area and at the Goodwill Learning Academy.  A special thanks to Chase's Greenhouse, Lighthouse Gardens & Arbor Farms Maple Syrup for their donations of plants!

We had memorable day celebrating the heart of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes – its people! Today we celebrated milestone anniversaries and employees who have made exceptional contributions to our organization. Thanks to the crew for living our values each and every day. Here’s to these outstanding team members and many more milestones ahead!⁠

Congratulations to Jennifer Lake, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes' president & CEO, was honored this past weekend at New York State Assembly Member Jen Lunsford's tea as a 2025 New York State Woman of Distinction. As a 2025 NYS Woman of Distinction, Jen was one of 10 extraordinary women who were recognized for making our communities stronger.

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes established its first retail location in Ithaca, New York, this spring, for sustainable shopping and a convenient donation center to keep gently used items in circulation. The new 15,000-square-foot thrift store occupies the former Ollie’s Bargain Outlet at 723 South Meadow St. and doors opened to the public at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25, following a ribbon-cutting…

Are you spring cleaning? Goodwill of the Finger Lakes was featured on News 8 WROC to talk about how easy it is to donate to Goodwill! When you donate to Goodwill, you are supporting community programs such as 211 Lifeline, 988, the Goodwill Learning Academy, and workforce development opportunities. Even if unsure of whether you should donate, you should still do so as unusable items can still be…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is proud to be part of the solution when it comes to reducing textile waste. In this NBC News segment, our President and CEO Jennifer Lake shares how Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is partnering with European innovator Reju to give clothing new life - pushing sustainable fashion forward. Thank you to NBC News for spotlighting this important work, and to Jen and our…