Goodwill of Silicon Valley Debuts on Whatnot: Thrifting Goes Live

At Goodwill of Silicon Valley, we’re always exploring new and innovative ways to advance our mission of empowering individuals to thrive in Silicon Valley through education, employment, and opportunity.  This month marks an exciting milestone: our E-Commerce team officially launched Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s very first live shopping show on Whatnot!   We’re proud to be only the second Goodwill in California, and one of […]

Helping Others Grow: A New Mural Blossoms at Goodwill Almaden

Helping Others Grow: A New Mural Blossoms at Goodwill Almaden At our Goodwill of Silicon Valley Almaden thrift store, a brand-new mural now brightens the donation drive-through, serving as a vibrant reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together with generosity and purpose. Created in partnership with our friends at Local Color, the mural, […]

Give the Gift of Second Chances This Holiday Season

Goodwill of Silicon Valley - Job Training

The holidays remind us of what matters most: generosity, connection, and lifting one another up. Since 1928, Goodwill of Silicon Valley has carried that spirit forward, helping people build brighter futures through the power of work.  This season, your donations can do something truly extraordinary: They can change someone’s life.  Your Donations Make Transformation Possible  Every item you give and every dollar you donate power programs that help people […]

A Greener Christmas: Celebrate the Season with Purpose

The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and giving back. But it’s also a time when waste tends to spike with extra packaging, fast decor, and once-a-year items that don’t always see a second life. According to Stanford researchers, Americans generate about 25% more waste from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, creating a mountain of plastic and packaging that often ends up in landfills.   This […]

Goodwill of Silicon Valley Announces First Tenant Partner at New San Jose Headquarters

Abode Services to Join Opportunity Center at 1600 Technology Drive SAN JOSE – (Dec. 9, 2025) – Goodwill of Silicon Valley announced today that Abode Services, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness, will become the first tenant to lease space in Goodwill’s new headquarters at 1600 Technology Drive in San Jose. Abode, one of the […]

Reusable Bags, Lasting Impact: Building a Greener Future Together

At Goodwill of Silicon Valley, sustainability has always been at the heart of our mission. Every day, we work to extend the life of usable goods, reduce waste, and empower individuals to thrive. Beginning January 2026, we’re taking another step forward in our commitment to a cleaner, greener community: we will no longer offer plastic bags at checkout.   This shift […]

Blue Friday 2024 at Goodwill of Silicon Valley

The Significance of Blue Friday 2024 at Goodwill of Silicon Valley Blue Friday 2024 at Goodwill of Silicon Valley has become a community favorite, marking a unique take on the holiday shopping season. Unlike the frenzied consumerism often associated with Black Friday, Blue Friday emphasizes sustainability, affordability, and community impact. This year, on Friday, November […]

As Featured in the San Francisco Chronicle: How Goodwill of Silicon Valley is Transforming Lives Behind Bars

Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s innovative program at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas has captured widespread attention, including a feature in the San Francisco Chronicle. This groundbreaking initiative, which combines job training, peer mentorship, and a dignified retail experience within a Bay Area jail, is being celebrated as a powerful example of how nonprofits can […]

Veteran Status (provide one of the following):
  • DD214
  • VA ID card or other official documentation confirming veteran status

  • Verification from the SQUARES system

Household Income (for all household members):
  • Two months of recent pay stubs

  • Most recent tax return (Form 1040)

  • Documentation for disability, pension, or retirement income

Identification & Family Information:
  • Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or state ID) for each household member

  • Birth certificates or custody papers to confirm dependents

  • Social Security cards for all household members

Housing Verification:
  • Lease agreement, or

  • A letter from a shelter, institution, or transitional housing provider

QUALIFYING FOR SUPPORT

To participate in Veteran Family Services, the head of household—or their spouse—must be a U.S. veteran, and the household must meet low-income guidelines (at or below 80% of the area median income).

 

Our team will guide you through each step of the eligibility process with care. Here’s what we’ll need to verify:

 

Our goal is to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible, because you’ve served, and now it’s our turn to support you.

Start Your Application