MERS incorporated in October 1940 as Jewish Employment & Vocational Service to help those in greatest need by providing desired employment and community services. Goodwill founded in 1902 in Boston by a young Methodist minister. His chapel provided a place where goods were exchanged, repaired and refurbished. Missouri Goodwill was established in 1918.

In 2001, Metropolitan Employment and Rehabilitation Services and Missouri Goodwill Industries merged to form MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries. Combining resources and capitalizing on the strengths of both agencies resulted in decreased duplication of services and gained efficiencies in a number of areas and has provided an opportunity for growth and expansion in all three divisions. Our retail division has grown from 20 locations at the time of merger to now 40 locations. This expansion provides additional resources to the employment and training programs, which has expanded to serve dozens of communities and now annually serves thousands of individuals. Additionally, our contracts division has expanded to over 20 locations and has provided job and training opportunities to hundreds of clients.

MERS Goodwill’s strategic plan provides for continued expansion with a goal of reaching out to more communities with 50 retail locations and serving individuals across 50 counties.

MERS/MISSOURI GOODWILL INDUSTRIES MISSION STATEMENT

"To provide opportunities for persons with barriers to employment to work and live more independently in the community."