The Helping Hand Institute was founded in 1894, providing food and housing for destitute men, women and their children. Homeless men carried out work projects in exchange for room and board or earned wages breaking rock at quarries, salvaging waste material and baling paper. Others worked at the Helping Hand farm raising crops to feed the Institute's residents.

The first Goodwill Store and repair shop opened in 1925 and was housed at St. Peter's Evangelical Church at 13th and Oak. 

By the 1940's Goodwill's focus was to become a training center rather than a repair workshop.  Services were added to include employment skills training and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities.

 In 1978 the two agencies joined forces with J.D. Robins, Jr., taking the helm of the newly formed organization. In 1986 the Agency's name was changed to The Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries