Goodwill of North Georgia, the leading Goodwill organization for connecting job seekers with employment opportunities, is proud to announce that Kirk Halpern, a longtime advocate and leader within the organization and metro Atlanta community, will be honored with the inaugural Community Leadership Award at the upcoming Goodwill of North Georgia 2024 Battle of the BIZ! Gala. The event, scheduled for October 26th, is Goodwill’s only annual fundraising event. Funds raised at the gala provide career training in high-demand fields, job placement services, and job retention support at zero cost to the jobseeker. 

Halpern, who joined the Goodwill of North Georgia Board of Directors on July 1, 2013, and recently concluded his service on June 30, 2024, has been a driving force in the organization's mission to create employment opportunities and empower individuals through the power of work. During his 12-year tenure on the Board, including his roles as Board Chair and Immediate Past Chair, Halpern’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in advancing Goodwill’s mission.

“We are honored to recognize Kirk Halpern with our first-ever Community Leadership Award,” said Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “His tireless dedication, innovative thinking, and unwavering support have been instrumental in helping us fulfill our mission of putting people to work. Kirk’s impact will be felt for years to come, and we are grateful for his many contributions.”

Under his leadership, Halpern helped to guide the Goodwill of North Georgia Board of Directors towards greater inclusivity, achieving a balanced representation of 50/50 female/male and 50/50 white/black with 13% Latinx membership. He set an example of engagement and commitment by consistently attending board and committee meetings, participating in special events, and encouraging fellow board members to share their “Goodwill story” to help spread the organization’s mission and reach as many North Georgians as possible.

As Board Chair, Halpern also spearheaded initiatives to honor long-serving board members by establishing “legacy” awards and continued championing the need for diversified fundraising. His contributions went beyond financial support; he freely provided resources and expertise from his business, Farmers & Fishermen Purveyors, to benefit Goodwill’s events and programs.

Halpern’s commitment to Goodwill extended to his support of the GoodBIZ! program, where he played a crucial role in helping hundreds of aspiring business owners realize their entrepreneurial dreams. His contributions, both financial and strategic, have left an indelible mark on the organization and the communities it serves.

Goodwill of North Georgia serves a 45-county territory with over 100 stores and donation centers, as well as 14 career centers offering job training and placement services free of charge. The organization has been named the #1 Goodwill in the nation for putting people to work for five consecutive years, connecting over 21,000 jobseekers with meaningful employment last year alone.

To learn more about Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and job training programs, please visit www.goodwillng.org.