The picture, in excellent condition other than its slightly damaged frame, just happened to be an original etching by Picasso. The Santa Ana-based agency was the sole seller on the site until early December, when additional Goodwills began signing up as sellers. Seven more agencies have since posted items, and another thirty are preparing to get online. It has reached a global audience, with an average of 92,000 hits per day.
Shoppers initiate transactions online through a secure server connection.
Profits from Goodwill stores, both online and off, fund education, training, and job placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education and work experience. Goodwill Industries International is a network of 181 local, autonomous member organizations in the United States and Canada, and 45 international associate members in 34 countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities and other special needs by providing employment and training services, as well as job placement opportunities. Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities.