ROCKVILLE, MD — As we collectively honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Goodwill organizations recognize the contributions of military spouses and the services and support they need to build their careers. Because of the transient and demanding nature of military life, spouses must often put their civilian careers on hold as their loved ones serve our nation.
A recent survey by Blue Star Families found that unemployment and underemployment of military spouses is a challenge to military families. While the civilian unemployment rate hovers at 5 percent, some estimates put the jobless rate for military spouses at more than 18 percent. In addition, spouses who have jobs often are working in positions that fall below their level of experience and education.
To tackle this growing issue, local Goodwill organizations offer multiple programs and services to veterans and their spouses around the country, assisting them in finding and keeping good jobs.
“Just as America’s veterans and their families have served our country, local Goodwill organizations across the United States are ready to support these strong men and women in their transition to civilian life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We want military spouses in particular to know that their talents and skills can be put to good use. Local Goodwills have a wide variety of programs and support services tailored to helping military spouses achieve full employment. They have done their part to support our country; we will do ours to support them.”
Local Goodwills utilize several programs to assist veterans and their spouses in advancing their careers including:
- Operation: GoodJobs, which equips veterans and military families with the tools they need to earn employment and ensure long-term financial wellness.
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership, an organization that activates and supports employers in hiring military spouses
- Greenlight A Vet, a campaign to help create visible and actionable national support for America’s veterans and their families.
- Got Your 6, a national initiative in which veterans and military families are promoted as both leaders and civic assets.
- Hiring our Heroes, a program aimed at providing workshops and resume reviews at job fairs around the country.
Through these and other programs, Goodwill and its independent and autonomous organizations around the country have hired 4,783 and served 231,531 veterans and family members, since 2011.
To learn more about how local Goodwills around the U.S. can help America’s military veterans and spouses, visit goodwill.org or call 800-GOODWILL.
About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 164 community-based organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. Goodwill is the #1 brand doing the most good in the world (Brand World Value Index, 2016) and is one of America’s top 20 most inspiring companies (Forbes, 2014). Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, Goodwill placed 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. Nearly two million people worked to build their career and financial assets by engaging with Goodwill team members. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.
For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.
CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
[email protected]
