Goodwill encourages companies to hire our nation’s veterans
ROCKVILLE, MD — The service and sacrifice of American veterans can be — and often is — sincerely acknowledged with a simple, “Thank You.” At Goodwill, we know how important it is for veterans to hear those simple words. It’s also true that successfully returning to civilian life often requires more support than a gesture of gratitude can provide.
Veterans develop many skills during their military service but also experience higher unemployment and underemployment than other Americans when they leave the Armed Services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who have served since September 2001 was 6.9 percent in September 2017. The overall jobless rate was 4.2 percent.
“Here at Goodwill, we work with veterans who are ready to serve their employers with the same honor and hard work they showed in serving our country,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We are actively developing partnerships with local employers, enabling us to connect a skilled veteran workforce with in-demand jobs.”
Veterans — particularly women veterans — have been a key focus for Goodwill. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 10 percent of America’s 20.9 million veterans are women.
Goodwill initiatives such as Operation: GoodJobs, funded by the Walmart Foundation, equip veterans and military families with tools specifically designed to help them transition from service to meaningful employment, including skills training and résumé writing. In addition, advice on translating military skills to civilian applications has proven effective in putting veterans to work. Last year, Goodwill organizations across the U.S. helped more than 117,000 veterans and military families obtain employment assistance.
Join Goodwill this Veteran’s Day in recognizing the service and sacrifice of the more than 20 million Americans who have served our country as part of our Armed Services by helping them find meaningful work.
About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization’s highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes’ 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores collectively 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, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed 313,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 34 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 or Instagram: GoodwillIntl.
CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Senior Director, Public Relations
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
[email protected]
