We put people at the center of change.

Edgar J. Helms

Edgar J. Helms founded Goodwill Industries in 1902 to help people with disabilities and disadvantages fully participate in society by expanding their occupational capabilities. To accomplish this mission, Helms created an innovative system whereby Goodwill collects used items from the community and sells them in Goodwill stores to fund its employment, training and job placement programs. Read more Edgar J. Helms.

Social issues Edgar J. Helms addressed:
•   Unemployment
•   Education
•   Poverty

Social issues that need to be addressed today:
•   Unemployment – The annual average unemployment rate for the civilian labor force 16 years and over is 9.3 percent (in 2009).*
•   Education – 41 percent of fourth-grade boys and 35 percent of fourth-grade girls read below the basic level – in low-income neighborhoods it is near 70 percent – lack of books affects literacy.*
•   Poverty – Approximately 39.8 million people are living in poverty (2008).***

* http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm
** www.firstbook.org
*** http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/p60-236.pdf

Location

Extra Mile Pathway Map

The Extra Mile begins at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, NW and continues north on 15th Street to G Street, NW. There, at the Old Ebbitt Grill, it turns east on G Street for two blocks to its intersection with 13th Street. As honoree medallions are added in future years, the Pathway will be continued on G Street.

Transportation

The closest Metro stations are Metro Center on the red line and McPherson Square on the blue and orange lines.

Hours and Accessibility
The Extra Mile is located on the sidewalks of downtown Washington, D.C., so it is always open and fully accessible.

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Edgar J. Helms