ROCKVILLE, MD — A new program, funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by Goodwill^®, will empower military veterans with  the tools they need to find employment, advance in their careers and ensure long-term financial stability for their families. The Walmart Foundation’s grant of $1 million will support the program, known as Operation: GoodJobs, at Goodwill agencies in the three key markets of Austin, Houston and Tacoma through 2013. Together, Goodwill and the Walmart Foundation will collaborate with a broad array of community partners to help ensure that veterans and their families have every opportunity to succeed.

“Everyone is struggling to find good jobs these days, but veterans face particular challenges and it is our duty as a nation to support these young men and women who are having difficulties transitioning back into civilian life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We at Goodwill believe it is absolutely imperative that we give each of these veterans every opportunity they need to thrive.”

Operation: GoodJobs assists veterans with job training and placement, but also plans for each participant’s continued success by designing individualized, holistic plans that support the needs of their entire family and helps ensure economic security for participants and their families in the long-term. Each participant in Operation: GoodJobs will receive a complete career assessment and an individualized development plan that will include a range of family needs, from basic needs like nutrition, shelter and child care, to specific job training identified in the assessment process.

“As one of the nation’s largest private employers of veterans and those on active duty, we share Goodwill’s vision of a country where every veteran has a chance to succeed economically and support his or her family,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Making that vision a reality starts today through Operation: GoodJobs. These young men and women stood up for us, and now it’s our turn to stand up for them.”

Veterans return home as proven leaders who have demonstrated their work ethic and commitment to achieving results as part of a team. Operation: GoodJobs will help to provide the necessary career counseling, resume help and skills training, so that veterans can obtain employment positions and in turn, employers can realize their skills and talents and match those skills with available employment opportunities.

If you know of a veteran who would benefit from these services or have questions, please call 800-GOODWILL.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Every day, 500 military veterans change out of their uniforms into civilian lives. Americans are grateful for their service, but gratitude only goes so far; veterans need employment and support services to ensure they can provide for their families and live lives of dignity in the country whose freedom they helped secure.

By working together, our country can connect veterans and their families with work, homes and the supports they need. That is why Goodwill is proud to serve as the national activation partner of “Got Your 6,” one of the first examples of a nationally focused collective impact campaign led by the entertainment industry and national nonprofits that will help create a new conversation in America, one where veterans and military families are perceived as both leaders and civic assets.

In the military, “Got Your Six” means “I’ve got your back.” Got Your 6 seeks to connect Americans with veterans and military families to build relationships that will aid transition, foster leadership and reinvigorate our communities. In order to set up veterans and military families for success in civilian life, Got Your 6 will focus on the six pillars of reintegration: jobs, education, health, housing, family, and leadership.

Each pillar is led by an activation partner—nonprofit organizations that are subject matter experts on each topic. Activation partners will establish a set of goals that can be identified, measured and reported. The goals will be made public and provide the campaign with specific, substantial benchmarks. Goodwill, which has been serving veterans since World War I, will serve as the national activation partner—working in tandem with partners from all six pillars to prepare and place veterans and their families in jobs across the country. The collective goal of these partners is to prepare and place 500,000 veterans in sustainable employment over the course of the campaign.

“We believe in the value and potential of America’s veterans. As a leader in workforce development and training, Goodwill will leverage our programming and extraordinary reach in more than 2,700 neighborhoods to compliment the powerful commitments of the partners of Got Your 6 and play an integral role as the national activation partner,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “With our engagement in Got Your 6, we are humbled to be able to work with such accomplished nonprofits as well as the full breadth of the entertainment industry.”

Goodwill has a long history of helping veterans prepare for new careers as civilians and connecting them to necessary support services. These services not only include housing assistance but also primary and mental health care, meal service, vocational rehabilitation, facilitation for treatment for substance abuse and mental illness, and a variety of trainings so that they have stability both at home and in the workplace.  Last year, Goodwill provided employment placement services and other community-based programs to more than 44,000 veterans, military spouses and their families, hiring more than 1,000 of these individuals. The goal is to match these efforts this year in our role as a Got Your 6 partner.

Nearly every major Hollywood entertainment studio, broadcast and cable network, talent agency, and guild, together with nonprofit organizations, are involved in this unprecedented awareness campaign. This multipronged effort includes nearly two dozen top-tier national nonprofit and government organizations, and will feature events, initiatives and groundbreaking ideas from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The organizing body and fiduciary agent is ServiceNation, a campaign of Be The Change, Inc., a registered nonprofit 501 (c) (3).

“Veterans need an advocate and a voice,” said Gibbons. “At Goodwill, our employment specialists in every municipality throughout the U.S. strive to provide services, including employment plans, career counseling, resume help, and skills training, so that veterans can obtain employment positions in emerging industries, such as banking, health care and technology. We are proud to facilitate services and treatment to equip veterans and their families to maintain an increased quality of life.”

ROCKVILLE, MD — May is Older Americans Month and provides a perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the older adults in the community and in the workforce. While the economy continues to improve overall, millions of Americans are still struggling to find employment. Older workers have been particularly harmed by the recession, with many losing their jobs and worrying about their retirement security.

According to an issue brief recently released by the National Employment Law Project, by 2019, more than 40 percent of Americans aged 55 and over will be employed, making up more than 25 percent of the U.S. labor force. In addition, the number of Americans aged 65 and over will rise from about 13 percent in 2008 to 20 percent by 2040. Those older Americans face significant challenges to returning to the workplace — including age discrimination and the need for re-training. Goodwill is calling on Congress to preserve and strengthen programs that address the long-term unemployment crisis, both for seniors and for the millions of other Americans still looking for work.

Goodwill is the leading nonprofit provider of job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for older workers, people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and other job seekers in both the United States and Canada. Last year, Goodwill provided skills training, financial education, and affordable housing and health care to more than 150,000 seniors in the United States and Canada.

“At Goodwill, we believe that every person deserves the chance to become economically self-sufficient through the power of work,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Unfortunately, that task is increasingly difficult for older workers facing significant hurdles to finding employment.”

Goodwill is urging Congress to address the long-term unemployment crisis head-on by passing a budget that considers the needs of seniors and others who are unable to secure employment. This includes reauthorizing and strengthening the Older Americans Act, which funds the delivery of social services to seniors, including the Senior Community Service Employment Program, the only federal program designed to prepare older workers for the modern labor market.

“It is clear that the job training and career services funded by these programs are vital for the millions of older Americans looking for work,” said Gibbons “Helping seniors and other Americans get back to work should be priority number one for Congress.”

ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International recently named Joanna McVicker of Frederick County, MD, as the 2012 Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year for her unwavering work ethic and desire to make a difference in others’ lives.

McVicker sustained a brain injury as a child that affects her cognitive functioning. With the help of the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley (Frederick, MD), she learned strategies to be more effective in her work and personal life.

“An instructor with a brain injury teaches the program,” said McVicker. “She understood my issues because she lives with the same things that I struggle with.”

With the help and encouragement she received at Goodwill^®, McVicker earned a job at the Frederick Visitors Center where she organizes mailings, restocks brochures and answers vistors’ questions. A lifelong resident of the area, McVicker says she enjoys promoting activities in and around the city.

“For the first time, I feel empowered in my life,” she says. “Some people thought I would never be able to graduate from school or get good grades like the As and Bs on my report card and go to college. I’ve proved them wrong.”

Her supervisor and co-workers feel lucky to have McVicker on staff. Robyn Hildebrand, manager at the center, said, “When Joanna comes to work, we never think, ‘Here comes our Goodwill trainee employee.’ We think ‘Oh, good! Joanna’s here and we need her to fulfill these 80 mailings that must go out.’”

Her current job is just the beginning. McVicker’s dream is to one day work with the elderly. To that end, she volunteers at an assisted living facility and is studying gerontology at her local community college.

“Disabilities like Joanna’s are often invisible to the public. She proves to others with similar disabilities that there are ways to be successful in the workplace,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We look forward to having Joanna serve as an ambassador of Goodwill’s mission.”

Goodwill Industries International’s Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year Award honors an outstanding person for completing a Goodwill Industries® career program and becoming competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer in the community. The award was renamed in 2008 to honor the late Kenneth Shaw’s significant contributions to the Goodwill movement over a four-decade period.

ROCKVILLE, MD — While Jim Barnette may have multiple disabilities including being legally blind and having mild quadriplegia as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage in infancy, he describes himself the way those around him describe him: happy and successful. For his longstanding tenure as a Goodwill® employee and for being a role model for others with disabilities, Barnette has been named Goodwill Industries International’s 2012 Achiever of the Year.

Barnette, 49, first came to Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette (Portland, OR) almost 10 years ago when he needed help finding a job. He originally worked in the Production and Contracts department, but when he got a taste of what it was like to work on the production floor of a retail store, he was hooked and asked to be transferred.

The award winner has a number of duties at the Cedar Hills store, from sorting donations to staffing the dressing rooms to stocking shelves and displaying merchandise, which is his favorite job. “[Goodwill] always let me try new jobs to see what I was able to. They didn’t tell me ‘no’ just because I never did it before,” Barnette said.

Cheri Folk, director of vocational services at the Portland Goodwill, has known Barnette for nine years.  “I think Jim’s key to success is his can-do attitude. He never lets his disability get in the way of being able to do something.”

That same can-do spirit has led Barnette to run three marathons, collect more than 1,300 albums and be part of a choir to nurture his love of music and singing.

“You can’t help but be impressed when you meet Jim Barnette,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Challenges to employment don’t exist in Jim’s world. He demonstrates that meaningful work is something everyone deserves.”

Today, Barnette requires very little supervision on the job. With this new level of independence, his confidence has soared. “Things are really good for me,” continued Barnette. “I have a girlfriend who is perfect for me, I have a job and earn money. I wish I would have found Goodwill sooner.”

Goodwill Industries International’s Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International, the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of job placement and training programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others who face challenges to finding employment, will launch its inaugural virtual career fair from May 7 – 10. Sponsored by Cintas and hosted by Monster.com, the virtual career fair will supplement Goodwill’s community-based career fairs, allowing employers around the United States and Canada to refine their recruiting strategies, expand their candidate pools, and reach individuals who may not be able to attend an in-person fair.

Goodwill’s 165 member agencies in the United States and Canada create a variety of opportunities that help people gain and maintain valuable employment. Goodwill also connects employers to its vast pool of talented, trained workers. Many local Goodwill agencies host career fairs in their communities — both intimate hiring events to introduce employers to new graduates of Goodwill training programs, and large public career fairs designed to create maximum access to successful employment outcomes for job seekers and employers alike. These career fairs are open to people of all backgrounds, such as veterans returning to civilian life, single mothers, seniors who need to learn new skills, and people with criminal backgrounds, among others.

“Goodwill has been connecting people to employment opportunities for 110 years,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The virtual career fair extends this mission into a new arena by offering employers a new way to connect with our pool of trained workers, and giving the people we serve new opportunities to become economically self-sufficient through the power of hard work.”

The virtual career fair will take place in conjunction with Goodwill Industries Week. Since 1951, Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada have reserved the first full week of May to celebrate the organization’s mission of enhancing the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating challenges to finding work, as well as helping people access employment training opportunities and community-based services, such as financial education, transportation and youth mentoring. This year, from May 6 ­–12, Goodwill Industries Week will include a variety of events in communities across the United States and Canada, including more than 100 local career fairs at 36 Goodwill agencies and the inaugural virtual career fair.

For registration or to learn more, visit: http://goodwillvirtualcareerfair.imastelabs.com.

with the 2012 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff

NEW YORK, NY — Each week, close to a 100 people approach the Goodwill® Back-to-Work Program in Bronx, NY, for assistance with emergent needs like food, housing and health care, as well as help finding education, training and employment services.

Migdalia Figueroa, the program’s coordinator, supports the site’s 10 case managers and 55 staff members by ensuring that participants have access to a variety of resources provided by Goodwill and other community partners. For her commitment to helping families get back on their feet, Figueroa has been honored with the 2012 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff from Goodwill Industries International.

Figueroa has made a name for herself, not only within Goodwill, but among New York nonprofits as the “go to” resource connection. She’s made a point of strengthening relationships with community partners and other social services providers to ensure seamless delivery of assistance once someone walks through Goodwill’s doors. Her resource listing currently has more than 120 partner organizations.

“Migdalia has a keen sense of what a person needs and is able to coordinate the various types of resources available,” said William Forrester, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (Astoria, NY). “Her assessment skills, her gentle and encouraging manner, and her astute ability to get things done make her a perfect fit for the work she does for Goodwill.”

Last year, the New York mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities invited Figueroa to discuss the vast array of resources available to New York City residents.

“We couldn’t ask for a better ambassador to represent Goodwill’s work at the front lines of service delivery,” said Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “For more than 10 years, Migdalia’s expertise and passion have helped transform thousands of lives within the New York area.”

Figueroa will receive her award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Miami, FL, on Sunday, June 24.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff honors a current Goodwill employee who has not received Goodwill services in the past, and who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and its founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.

2012 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff

TYLER, TX — A random drive-by shooting in high school may have halted Jarvin Dorsey’s chances at a college football scholarship but it didn’t stop him from pursuing a career where he could help others overcome challenges that keep them from succeeding in the workplace.  For his exceptional skills as a mentor and his hands-on approach to teaching, Dorsey has been honored with Goodwill Industries International’s 2012 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff.

Once an all-district offensive lineman, Dorsey thought of nothing but extending his football career into college. A drive-by shooting just one week after high school graduation, though, left him paralyzed. While physical therapy and an incredible strength of spirit helped Dorsey adjust to his disability, he wasn’t able to find work. The Work Adjustment Training Program at Goodwill Industries of East Texas (Tyler) helped Dorsey develop abilities he didn’t know he had such as strong teaching and mentorship skills. Before long, Dorsey was hired as a workforce adjustment training aide. Three promotions later, he now serves as the work adjustment training coordinator.

“Jarvin takes a hands-on approach to helping others reach their potential,” said David Walton, CEO of the Tyler Goodwill. “He sees his Goodwill® work as a calling and not just a job.”

His desire to give back extends beyond work hours. He is a co-founder of the East Texas Piney Woods Chapter of Turning Point, an organization dedicated to providing no-cost sports and outdoor activities to individuals with mobility impairments. Dorsey has also helped install wheelchair ramps and retro-fitted vehicles with hand controls for people with acquired disabilities.

“As a husband and father, a valued employee and a mentor, Jarvin inspires others to become self-reliant and pursue their dreams,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We’re honored that he’s chosen to spread Goodwill’s message that everyone has the right to meaningful work.”

Dorsey will receive his award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Miami, FL, on June 24.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff honors a current Goodwill employee who is a past recipient of Goodwill services, and who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and its founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.

2012 Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year Award

Johnstown, PA — Steve Purich, a retired financial planner with a 42-year career, has volunteered more than 800 hours in two years at the GoodGuides® youth mentoring program at Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley (Johnstown, PA). The effort is part of a national program that helps teens finish school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults. As the lead volunteer recruiter, Purich encourages community and business leaders to serve as mentors to at-risk youth in the region. For being a tireless advocate for youth and a steadfast supporter of the Goodwill® mission, Purich has been named the 2012 Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year, an honor given annually by Goodwill Industries International.

Purich has recruited more than 40 mentors to serve as strong role models who engage youth in activities that encourage positive choices in their school and personal lives. He’s trained many of those mentors and has been a mentor to six youths himself.

“Steve genuinely understands the struggles that youth and families face today and the many factors that lead youth to make the wrong choices,” said Phyllis Bandstra, CEO of the Johnstown Goodwill. “Not only does Steve contribute directly to the program, he serves as a Goodwill ambassador in the community.”

Purich was instrumental in organizing “safe places” throughout the community where youth can go for support. He visited with leaders from more than 20 organizations to secure these locations and inform others about the GoodGuides Program.

Taking a cue from the nonprofit organization, Be Someone, Purich inspired mentors to use the game of chess to help youth develop skills like problem-solving, concentration and discipline. He works with several school districts and alternative schools to establish chess clubs as an in-school activity.

“Steve is a great example of how Goodwill benefits from volunteers’ time and talents,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Volunteers are a critical extension of our workforce and are just as dedicated to furthering Goodwill’s mission and building stronger communities.”

Purich will receive his award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Miami, FL, on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year Award is given to a local Goodwill Industries volunteer in recognition of outstanding leadership and service to a member Goodwill Industries organization. It is named in honor of the late Mrs. Elsine Katz, a past president of Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee (Nashville), who endowed the award.

ROCKVILLE, MD — In honor of Goodwill Industries Week (May 6-12), Goodwill Industries International will be hosting a “Travelin’ Trunk Show” at its headquarters location to showcase racks of contemporary and vintage fashions including clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories and more. The donated items will be available for sale to the public and the revenues will go to support Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment. Goodwill of Greater Washington provides services to people of all backgrounds – people with physical, emotional or developmental disabilities, limited education or English language skills and people with a lack of job experience as well as single mothers, seniors or veterans who need skills training. Goodwill of Greater Washington functions as one of the 158 independent Goodwill headquarters agencies in the United States that provides employment placement programs and community-based services, such as child care, youth mentoring and transportation, to help people find and keep good jobs.

WHO: Goodwill Industries International and Goodwill of Greater Washington

WHAT: The Travelin’ Trunk Show is part of a marketing effort to take donated items to high-traffic
areas where business professionals, tenants and others can shop for unique merchandise carefully culled from racks of donated goods, including vintage fashion and fabrics. The donated items are in excellent condition and at a reasonable price.

Each customer receives a Goodwill bag with a mission statement and flier that explains how each purchase creates employment opportunities for people in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Goodwill Industries International
15810 Indianola Drive
Rockville, MD 20855
(301) 530-6500

WHY: “When you donate and shop at Goodwill, you are helping people go to work. The revenues from the sale of donations fund necessary community training programs for people having a hard time finding a job,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Through the public’s support, we help people build brighter futures for themselves and their families.”

About Goodwill Industries International:

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,600 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies 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 service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, more than four million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl.

CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
Mobile: (240) 388-8309
lauren.lawson@goodwill.org

BALTIMORE, MD — OneMain Financial will provide area residents and customers the opportunity to support their local community during its Customer Appreciation Days, May 1-31. Throughout the entire month of May, the OneMain Financial branches across the United States will collect clothing donations to help support the mission of Goodwill Industries International.

OneMain Financial’s partnership with Goodwill® reflects the philanthropic and community-oriented mindset engrained in OneMain Financial’s corporate culture. Employees leverage their professional skills and experience by volunteering their time directly to nonprofits and other community organizations.

“Sharing a likeminded vision with Goodwill, OneMain Financial is helping to make the neighborhoods where we do business better places to live and work,” said Mary McDowell, president and CEO of CitiFinancial North America and OneMain Financial. “We have a strong tradition of supporting local organizations that help those in need, and we are excited area residents will be joining us in this effort during our Customer Appreciation Days.”

Donors play a vital role in Goodwill’s ability to fulfill its mission of helping people go to work. To pay for its programs, Goodwill sells donated goods including clothing, household items and other used goods in more than 2,600 stores in the United States and Canada as well as online. The revenue collected from each local store stays within that community, providing job training programs, employment placement programs and community-based programs — such as financial education and youth mentoring — for people who face challenges to finding employment. Each local Goodwill designs its own programs to help job seekers, individuals and their families in the community.

“Goodwill’s partnership with OneMain Financial will provide a meaningful opportunity to reach its millions of employees and customers, and not only to increase donations, but to engage a new audience of donors and shoppers,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The revenue from the sale of the donations will enable Goodwill to design job training programs that meet the specific needs of job seekers in the communities where OneMain Financial branches are located.”

Goodwill, which is consistently ranked among top charities, collectively, channels 82 percent of its total revenue directly into education and career services. Goodwill revenue is earned via its sales from retail and outlets stores, and online, and is made possible by donations from community members. With spring well underway, local residents can take advantage of spring cleaning and organize their households, all while making a valuable contribution to their community.

“The Goodwill Sale with Bon-Ton is our longest-running cause partnership,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The relationship enables Goodwill to collect high-quality, gently used items for sale and use the revenue to support job search classes, résumé writing and other skills training in emerging industries for people with disabilities and other disadvantages to finding employment across the nation.”

Donors received coupons for each donation to use at Bon-Ton Stores. Donors also had the opportunity to share their donations on the Million Acts of Goodwill website, where they could access an exclusive 25 percent-off coupon and a chance to win a $25-50 gift card and a $1,000 shopping spree.

“Bon-Ton works in collaboration with Goodwill on the Goodwill Sale to create employment opportunities to meet the needs of local employers in high-growth industries,” said Brendan L. Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “The Goodwill Sale at Bon-Ton Stores is not only one of our customers’ favorite events, it helps build futures for individuals in our communities across the country who are in need of career training and employment services.”

The Goodwill Sale takes place twice a year in the spring and fall. Since 1994, the Goodwill Sale cause-marketing collaboration has generated an estimated potential value of more than $184 million in revenue to support Goodwill’s employment services.

ROCKVILLE, MD — The proliferation of advice on sustainable living has left many consumers overwhelmed and wondering if their green efforts even make a difference. Goodwill Industries^®, a pioneer of the reduce-reuse-repurpose philosophy, wants the public to know that simple acts, like donating gently used clothing and household items to Goodwill, can have a lasting impact on the planet.

“April 22 is Earth Day, and it provides the perfect opportunity for individuals to commit to one new green practice that can make a difference. Small acts add up to big change when you harness the power of millions who care about our planet,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

Through the sale of donations, Goodwill diverts billions of pounds of usable goods from landfills annually. Revenues from the sale of these goods at Goodwill stores fund programs that put people to work, including people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment. And, like donors, shoppers play a key role in the process. When people find bargains in their local Goodwill stores, they not only save money, but they also extend the lifespan of items that would otherwise be discarded.

To show individuals how their donations make a difference, Goodwill developed the patent-pending Donation Impact Calculator at http://donate.goodwill.org. The calculator translates the value of donations into job training programs, employment placement services and other vital programs that benefit local communities. For example, the donation of one working computer translates into 5.8 hours of a job search class. In 2011, more than 100,000 people saw the impact their donations made through 288,000 calculations on the site.

“For more than a century, Goodwill has linked protecting the environment to helping people earn paychecks, support their families and strengthen their communities,” said Gibbons. “Each individual shopper and donor is an important partner in what we do.”

Goodwill Industries International nominated Murray for her support of Goodwill’s public policy priorities including job training and workforce development as well as other issues that fall under the HELP committee on which she serves. In addition, the senator is chair of the veterans’ affairs committee and an avid proponent of the employment placement programs and support services that Goodwill provides for military service members and their families who are facing challenges to finding employment.

This past fall, the senator sponsored the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, aiming to boost employment opportunities for veterans. The bill was aligned with Goodwill’s recent white paper, “From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill’s Call to Action on Supporting Military Service Members, Veterans and Their Families.” In addition, the Murray co-hosted a veterans’ roundtable during the same time period in which veterans’ service organizations, such as Goodwill, had the opportunity to discuss the challenges veterans face as they return to the workforce. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (Charlotte, NC) presented during that panel about the technology skills training, job placement and support services the agency provides to veterans and their spouses as part of the Microsoft Elevate America veterans initiative.

“Senator Murray deeply cares about Goodwill’s initiatives and programs for veterans and the coordinated services needed to address the unique needs and employment challenges facing this population,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “She has been a tremendous asset in urging greater collaboration among the community-based providers, federal agencies and other organizations that provide services to veterans, enabling them to contribute to their communities and provide for themselves and their families.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Murray was recognized and thanked for her ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community. Murray is also the recipient of the 2009 Advocate of the Year Award from Goodwill.

“Goodwill is a leading veteran-serving support organization that creates jobs and provides the tools for members of the military to transition to civilian life, obtain the education and training they need to succeed in the workplace, and access support services to reach their fullest potential,” said Murray.

Goodwill Columbus nominated Brown for his support on behalf of Goodwill’s services and programs, including reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Through WIA, people with employment challenges — including people with disabilities, those with a lack of education or job experience, those receiving financial aid, and others facing challenges to finding employment — are referred to Goodwill for skills training, and job placement and retention services. Brown has demonstrated support for Goodwill Columbus’ rehabilitation center, which provides a variety of support services for veterans who are homeless in Cincinnati, including education and job training, counseling, job placement and follow-up assistance. Brown is particularly passionate about veteran issues, and he was the original cosponsor of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011. In addition, Brown has visited Goodwill’s job training center in Akron and hosted a roundtable discussion with local business leaders and workforce development professionals on how to provide specialized training that supports high-growth industries.

Brown has been a strong advocate and committed supporter of legislation pertaining to Goodwill’s many programs. These include enhancing community college partnerships, connecting youth who are disconnected from employment or resources to opportunities and success in the classroom, reducing recidivism for people with criminal backgrounds through re-entry programs, and bridging the skills gap for people who have more than a high school degree but less than a four-year college degree and can fill certain positions. Brown is also an advocate for programs that provide education and training opportunities for people with disabilities.

“Senator Brown is a leading proponent of targeted workforce investment resources that provide regional, specialized training which support high-growth industries,” said Margie Pizzuti, president and CEO of Goodwill Columbus. “He is intimately familiar with the strength of Goodwill as a social enterprise and how our organization creates unique job training programs to meet the needs of emerging industries, especially at a time of economic recovery.”
At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Brown was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”

“Goodwill is a key provider of job training and placement services that help get Ohioans — including our returning service members — back into good-paying jobs,” said Brown. “Goodwill’s work in Ohio is critical to our state’s economic success. I am proud to support their mission, and it is an honor to receive the National Policymaker Award from Goodwill.”

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (Austin) nominated Cornyn for his support of Goodwill’s policy priorities, including supporting legislation for programs that assist people with disabilities and disadvantages. As a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, the senator played an integral role as a co-sponsor of the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act of 2011, which enabled Goodwill to provide housing programs for veterans who are homeless as well as other services including financial assistance, transportation services, employment, training, education and job placement assistance, family and child services, and legal services. The senator was also a strong advocate of the community-based job training grant program, which has provided millions in funding to community and technical colleges in Texas for workforce training. Cornyn also supported funding for vulnerable populations, including funding opportunities for job placements for people with disabilities and funding for the Fatherhood Works program, which provides job placement, job readiness training, parenting support, financial education, and retention services for noncustodial parents who are behind on their child support payments. The program has been a success and received a second grant in 2011, which has enhanced its vocational training and other support services.

“Senator Cornyn deeply cares about Goodwill’s initiatives, and is an avid supporter of the job training programs and support services that Goodwill provides for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment,” said Jerry Davis, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas.

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Cornyn was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.

“Goodwill is a job creator and has served people within the Austin area and beyond by providing them with job training opportunities and the tools to advance their skills,” said Cornyn.

Goodwill Industries-Manasota (Sarasota, FL) nominated Nelson for his support of Goodwill’s services and programs. Nelson has spent extensive time at his local Goodwill Center, which creates new jobs for people facing challenges to finding employment. The Goodwill Center is a donation center, a store and a services and community center all rolled into one. Goodwill takes the revenues from the sale of its donations and uses it to fund job placement services for people who need them.  The center offers services to those individuals including assessing their career goals, preparing strong résumés and cover letters, identifying prospective employers and conducting successful job interviews.

“Senator Nelson is a strong advocate for Goodwill’s mission of job training for people with disabilities and disadvantages,” said Don Roberts, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries-Manasota. “He has been a true champion for our mission and believes in the sustainable social enterprise model of Goodwill.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Nelson was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.

“Goodwill’s primary goal is to provide people with service such as job skills and job readiness training, child care assistance, and transportation, among others, to move people into self-sufficiency situations,” said Nelson. “Goodwill gives people an opportunity to create better lives for themselves — something which empowers people to believe in themselves.”

Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake (Baltimore, MD) nominated Sarbanes for his support of Goodwill’s public policy priorities since his election to Congress in 2006. He and his staff meet with the Goodwill at least three times a year to discuss issues most relevant to them. In addition, the congressman was the keynote speaker at Goodwill’s all employee financial wellness breakfast last fall. He spoke about the importance of access to education programs and financial stability, and how Goodwill is an asset for providing those services. Sarbanes is an avid supporter of the job training programs and support services that Goodwill provides for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

“Congressman Sarbanes deeply cares about Goodwill’s initiatives and programs, and how our organization works closely with federal, state and nonprofit resources to ensure that workers and families have the financial stability and the supports they need to care for themselves and their families,” said Lisa Rusyniak, CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake.

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Sarbanes was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.

“Goodwill creates jobs and provides the tools for people to achieve economic security, allowing them to reach their fullest potential,” said Sarbanes.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, AZ) nominated Gosar for his support of Goodwill’s public policy priorities, including funding, job creation and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which is designed to create a universal system of one-stop career centers that provide access to training and employment services for the individuals who need them most, including adults with low incomes, youth who are at-risk for delinquency, and people with disabilities. Gosar was also the keynote speaker at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of a Safeway training center, located within Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona’s operations.

“Congressman Gosar understands firsthand Goodwill’s role in economic development via job creation,” said David Hirsch, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona. “He deeply cares about our programs, which impact more than 4,500 people in the Northern Arizona region each year.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Gosar was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Communities.

“Goodwill agencies throughout the country and particularly in my community are the leaders of job creation. They transform the value of the sale of goods in their stores and online into verifiable social impact for the community,” said Gosar. “Throughout Northern Arizona, Goodwill’s programs and initiatives for people with disabilities and disadvantages are having an economic and fiscal impact.”

Goodwill Industries serving the communities of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia nominated Scott for his support of Goodwill’s services and programs, including the AbilityOne Program, which creates employment and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other significant disabilities. In addition, he has demonstrated support for Goodwill’s job training and community-based services for veterans and people with criminal backgrounds, as well as the Medicaid waiver programs, which provide employment or one-day programs for people with disadvantages and allow caregivers to maintain employment. Scott has continually engaged with Goodwill to show support for the organization’s efforts to provide services for people with challenges to finding employment, including the more than 19,000 individuals throughout Central Virginia and Hampton Roads that have received career development, training and support services from Goodwill in 2011.

“Congressman Scott is an avid supporter of Goodwill’s programs and is keenly aware that our organization needs multiple funding streams in order to offer comprehensive services,” said Charles D. Layman, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries serving the communities of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. “Due to the economic situation in our country, this funding has been limited, but Congressman Scott has a record of supporting those initiatives that benefit our target population.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Scott was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.

“Goodwill provides opportunities for people who are facing challenges to finding employment because of disabilities, lack of education or job experience, and other disadvantages,” said Scott. “Goodwill creates jobs and provides the tools for people to achieve economic security.”

Goodwill Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) nominated McKeon for his support on behalf of Goodwill’s services and programs, including reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Through WIA, people with employment challenges — including people with disabilities, those with a lack of education or job experience, those receiving financial aid, and others facing challenges to finding employment — are referred to Goodwill for skills training,  job placement and job retention services. McKeon has co-sponsored career counseling expos and was a special guest at Goodwill Industries International’s Hill briefing in November 2011 when it publically launched its white paper “From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill’s Call to Action on Serving Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families.”

This Congress, McKeon introduced a bill that is expected to make up a portion of the framework for a House bill addressing a number of workforce issues for which Goodwill advocates about. In addition, McKeon’s staff attended the grand opening of Goodwill’s Stevenson Ranch store, which funnels revenue from the sale of its donated goods to support employment placement programs and other support services, such as financial education and youth mentoring, for people in the local community.

“Congressman McKeon has been a real supporter to the workforce system for many years,” said Doug Barr, president and CEO of Goodwill Southern California. “He authored the Workforce Reinvestment Act as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, he has engaged in efforts to support and prepare military service members as they make the transition to the civilian labor force. These are all issues that Goodwill plays a vital role in, preparing these demographics for meaningful employment.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, McKeon was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”

“Goodwill is the largest provider of services in the workforce investment system. It employs thousands of people in its retail, commercial services and other social enterprises, and aims to offer guidance for training programs that will meet the requirements of local employers,” said McKeon. “In addition, Goodwill actively provides support to military members and their families after combat by offering job training and services, including counseling, housing referrals, transitional housing, tax assistance, and other rehabilitation services.”

ROCKVILLE, MD – Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International.

The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s advocacy and policy efforts to further its mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for enhancing relationships with federal and state policymakers.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona is recognized for reaching out to lawmakers on issues important to Goodwill’s mission of helping people find jobs and become self-sufficient. The agency has endeavored to increase efforts in all areas of advocacy to impact public policy and change. It has advocated on a variety of issues, including funding for employment programs such as the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, as well as job creation.

The Flagstaff Goodwill has had several local representatives tour its operations, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-1) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-2). Gosar was the keynote speaker for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Safeway training center, a mini Safeway located within the walls of the Goodwill headquarters. Franks toured a job connection, one-stop training center, which is an inclusive center for people seeking education and career and job training help, including résumé and interview preparation assistance.

The Goodwill is an active member of the Flagstaff Chamber Board of Directors, the Education and Workforce Development Committee and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona.

“Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona plays a key role in the economic development of the community via job creation as well as in workforce development by putting thousands of people to work each year,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The Goodwill also serves as a source of pre-screened, job-ready candidates who can meet the needs of local businesses throughout northern Arizona.”

At a reception in Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 17, David Hirsch, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona, accepted the award on behalf of the agency.

“Our Goodwill organization is honored to receive the Advocacy Leader Award and will continue to be a passionate advocate for the entrepreneurial nature of Goodwill and our influence on people facing challenges to finding employment,” said Hirsch. “We hope that our efforts in engaging lawmakers will increase our visibility as a social enterprise and our role in economic, fiscal and workforce development impact in northern Arizona.”

The award was presented during a reception that was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community” in Washington, DC.

ROCKVILLE, MD – Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International.

The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s advocacy and policy efforts to further its mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for enhancing relationships with federal and state policymakers.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is recognized for reaching out to lawmakers on issues important to Goodwill’s mission of helping people find jobs and become self-sufficient. The agency has endeavored to increase efforts in all areas of advocacy to impact public policy and change. It has advocated on a variety of issues, including AbilityOne modernization, funding for employment programs such as the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, as well as job creation and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The Little Rock Goodwill is active in coalitions that serve a diverse set of Arkansas citizens, including the Arkansas Recycling Coalition, Capitol Area Zoning Committee, Cities of Service, the Little Rock Workforce Investment Board, the State Workforce Investment Board, and University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and Economic Forecast Advisory Committee. In addition, the Goodwill recently became a member of the State Rehabilitation Council. In each of these coalition meetings, Goodwill representatives have discussed how the agency is impacting the state’s environmental efforts by serving as an e-waste solution through the collection and refurbishment of computers as well as how it is impacting people’s lives through support services and job training programs. The agency has also hosted visits with lawmakers and their staff, during which it offered information on workforce development programs designed for people with criminal backgrounds, those with disabilities, and those with a lack of education or job experience; as well as state tax exemption for nonprofit organizations and Goodwill’s role in economic development.

“The team members of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas are dedicated advocates on behalf of Goodwill’s mission of helping people find employment, advance in their careers, and support themselves and their families,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Their advocacy work with lawmakers advances their programs to help job-seekers and create verifiable social impact for their local community.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Brian Itzkowitz, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, accepted the award on behalf of his agency. This is the second time that Goodwill Industries of Arkansas has been honored with this award.

“Our Goodwill organization is honored to receive the Advocacy Leader Award and will continue to be a passionate advocate to ensure that every person has the opportunity to achieve independence through the power of work,” said Itzkowitz. “We hope that our efforts to educate and engage lawmakers furthers our mission of providing job training, skills training and education assistance to people facing challenges to finding employment.”

The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community” in Washington, DC.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Serving the Communities of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (Richmond) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International for its dedication to building relationships with policymakers who help further Goodwill’s mission of putting people in the workforce.

The Richmond Goodwill demonstrated its commitment to public policy in 2011 by scheduling several meetings to educate their representatives in both the state and federal legislatures on topics such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and vocational rehabilitation funding, re-entry programs that assist people with criminal backgrounds, the AbilityOne Program, and 14c wage-and-hour issues.

In June 2011, the Richmond Goodwill hosted an event during which Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) signed seven pieces of legislation that strengthened re-entry policies in the Commonwealth of Virginia for people with criminal backgrounds. The governor and several dignitaries at the signing recognized Goodwill’s key role in preparing people to return home and become positive contributors to their communities after serving their prison sentences.

Team members from the Goodwill are also present at the annual sessions of the State General Assembly to track legislative priorities that could impact Goodwill’s ability to serve people with disabilities and those with other challenges to finding and maintaining employment.

“The Richmond Goodwill has an impressive track record of being a strong voice in the public policy arena,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “In 2011, the agency met with their U.S. senators and congressmen, several delegates to the State General Assembly, and local leaders to ensure that Goodwill’s legislative priorities are kept on the table.”

The award was presented to the Goodwill during a reception on Tuesday, April 17 at Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill: “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”

ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries of South Texas (Corpus Christi) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International for its work in advancing Goodwill’s legislative priorities and building strong relationships with local, state and federal policymakers.
 
Throughout 2011, the Corpus Christi Goodwill put a high priority on educating lawmakers on topics such as job creation, the earned income tax credit (EITC), youth mentoring and modernization of the federal AbilityOne Program. The agency recognized and acted on the need to balance local and federal interests.

Because of contact with Goodwill, Nueces County Judge Amanda Torres became a staunch supporter of The Goodwill GoodGuides® youth mentoring program, referring more than 50 youth, ages 13-17, who were at risk of delinquency or had contact with the juvenile justice system to the program. In addition, Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame showed support for the agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program by adding EITC information provided by the Goodwill to Corpus Christi utility bills.

The public policy team at the Goodwill also maintains relationships with city council members, county commissioners, the sheriff’s department and others who help position Goodwill as a leader in providing community-based services to people who face other challenges to gaining and maintaining employment.

At the federal level, Corpus Christi Goodwill team members developed a relationship with U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) regarding the AbilityOne Program and its impact on job creation for people with disabilities in South Texas. The agency nominated Farenthold as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion and honored him at a ceremony on March 14.

Goodwill Industries of South Texas is also an active member of the Texas Association of Goodwills (TAG) and contributes to advocacy efforts against unscrupulous payday loan practices, which can become debt traps for borrowers who already have financial hardships. Because of its existing relationship with state representatives, the Goodwill was successful in helping to pass legislation that provides more oversight of payday loan lenders.

“CEO John Owen and his staff demonstrate a profound commitment to policy advocacy and recognize that local as well as national legislation affects Goodwill’s ability to get people back in the workforce,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

The award was presented to the Goodwill during a reception on April 17 at Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill: ““Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”

Nearly 200 representatives from Goodwill® including CEOs, workforce development professionals, volunteer board members, and program participants will gather on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, April 17, to ask Congress to secure the country’s economic recovery by funding federal job training programs.

Goodwill, the largest provider of services in the workforce investment system, intends to urge policymakers to support critical job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs that leverage Goodwill’s resources and expertise across the country.

“Lifting this country out of the recession will take more than just a pledge to create jobs. The recovery of our economy calls for a strategic workforce development system that is responsive to the needs of both workers and employers as well as integrated strategies that build upon and leverage existing resources that will address our nation’s revenue problem,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “At Goodwill, we provide job training support to someone every 38 seconds of every business day and know firsthand the impact that job training programs have on someone’s life.”

Support Goodwill by joining in the Goodwill on the Hill virtual Advocacy Day effort on Facebook. Tell your legislator to support Goodwill’s legislative agenda.

High-priority topics for Goodwill and the people it serves include:

Funding: Goodwill is urging Congress to continue its economic recovery efforts by investing in key job training programs that help youth, adults and older workers learn the skills that employers need in order to be competitive in today’s economy. Specifically, Congress should maintain funding for programs that leverage Goodwill and support the people we serve, including the Workforce Investment Act’s three core funding streams, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and community college partnerships. Goodwill sees firsthand both the challenges and the opportunities facing workers today, and is ready to work with Congress and the Obama Administration to build an economic recovery that supports both the businesses that drive the economy and the workers who are eager to contribute. Congress must make it a high priority to preserve funding for programs that enable individuals with disabilities and disadvantages to become self-sufficient and meet the needs of the nation’s businesses.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization: The Workforce Investment Act was designed to create a universal system of one-stop career centers that provide job training for the individuals who need them, including adults and youth with low incomes, people who have been unemployed for an extended period of time, and people with disabilities. Goodwill agencies receive numerous referrals from state workforce systems and supplement WIA funding by investing their own privately-generated resources to help people find employment and advance in their careers.  At a time when unemployment remains high, investments in job training are needed to help people find jobs quickly.

Goodwill urges Congress to reauthorize and fully fund WIA, and ensure that community-based organizations are given all the tools they need to put America back to work. The United States cannot expect to see the economy improve unless it continues to provide education and skills training for the millions of Americans who are still out of work.

ROCKVILLE, MD — For Once in My Life, a film about The Spirit of Goodwill^® Band, a musical group made up of program participants from Goodwill Industries of South Florida (Miami), is one of 29 films selected for the 2012 American Film Showcase. A partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the University of Southern California’s (USC’s) School of Cinematic Arts, the American Film Showcase is an international cultural diplomacy initiative that will bring award-winning American films, including documentaries, feature films and animated shorts, to foreign audiences through events worldwide.

For Once in My Life is a film that shatters preconceived notions of what it means to have a disability and shows the greatness that lies within each of us. The film chronicles the 28 members of the Spirit of Goodwill Band, all of whom have varying developmental and physical disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome and blindness, and a wide range of behavioral disorders. The band, which first began in 1981, transcends age, gender, race, socio-economic status, and physical and mental abilities, with music as the members’ shared joy.

The Goodwill in Miami opened its doors and allowed a camera to follow the members of the band as they prepared for a performance at the U.S. Mayor’s Convention in 2009. Viewers follow the lives of lead singer and saxophonist Terry, who is blind; pianist Christian, a virtuoso who is blind and autistic; soprano Nancy, who has a mental disability and is the primary caretaker and breadwinner for her two older siblings with disabilities; and many other inspiring individuals.

With the enthusiastic encouragement of Dennis Pastrana, president and CEO of the Miami Goodwill, as well as the Goodwill’s rehabilitation team and the band’s musical director, the band makes these accomplishments look easy, but the film demonstrates how breathtakingly hard the work is for these 28 people to perform at such a high caliber.

“For Once in My Life is a heartwarming film that pays tribute to the vocational rehabilitation professionals, teachers and parents who believed in the band members’ abilities, and to others who rise above limited stereotypes themselves to become productive, contributing members of society,” said Dennis Pastrana, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries South Florida.

For Once in My Life has won fourteen awards at film festivals in Nashville, Port Townsend, Sarasota, Sonoma and at South by Southwest in Austin and is the recipient of the ABLE Trust Award and the Barbara Jordan Award, two awards that laud organizations that have produced material for the public which accurately and positively portray people with disabilities. For Once In My Life has been screened all over the world in countries such as Greece, Poland, the far east as well as international maritime (cruise) and airlines. In addition, the band was invited to the White House to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

“For Once in My Life provides a message that is consistent with Goodwill’s philosophy: Given the opportunity, we can all do amazing things,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “It is inspiring and exciting that the State Department and USC have chosen to share this message with audiences around the world.”

The State Department will announce screening dates for the American Film Showcase later this year.

To purchase DVD or Blu-Ray copies or to inquire about a screening license for private and local screenings, visit http://4onceinmylife.com. Digital downloads are available on Netflix and iTunes.

Follow For Once In My Life on Twitter: @foimlfilm, and on Facebook: ForOnceInMyLifeFilm.

To see a complete list of the film’s awards, visit: http://4onceinmylife.com/proyecto/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=13&Itemid=16

ROCKVILLE, MD— Although the U.S. unemployment rate has decreased in recent months, many people in our community still have difficulty entering the labor market and providing for their families. The simple act of cleaning out your closets and donating to Goodwill this spring will provide critical career services and programs that help people who are unemployed throughout the country once again earn paychecks.

“We see small signs of hope for the economy, such as the dip in the unemployment rate and a rise in holiday retail sales, but for millions of families, the economic outlook is anything but positive,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International “People without jobs, especially those who have been unemployed for long periods of time, need the extra attention and support that Goodwill has provided for more than a century.”

The end of winter has long signaled the perfect time to declutter closets, attics and other storage spaces. Yet, spring cleaning has benefits beyond tidier households. A family’s donation of gently used clothing and household goods can be sold in Goodwill stores and online at shopgoodwill.com^®. The revenues fund Goodwill’s job training programs and community-based services that can lead to employment and fresh starts for people without jobs. Goodwill provides career services that anyone can use to boost their chances of getting hired, including assistance in writing a résumé, job interview practice and access to job leads.

During spring cleaning, families can make the best use of their storage spaces by keeping their belongings organized. Lorie Marrero, Certified Professional Organizer^® and organizing expert for Good Housekeeping magazine, provides useful tips and techniques to help families keep their spaces streamlined. As a spokesperson for Goodwill’s Donate Movement, she communicates the positive impact donated items can have on people in local communities. Marrero is also the author of The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life, and creator of the ClutterDiet.com, an online program that helps people stay organized.

“When your spring cleaning ends with a donation to Goodwill, people looking for employment in your local community will benefit from your generosity,” said Gibbons.  “Your donations fund Goodwill’s employment programs that create jobs and strengthen families and the economic health of your community.”

Nearly one-third of Brazil’s population continues to live in poverty, and serious environmental challenges are mounting. To help address these challenges, Goodwill will equip AVAPE with the tools and systems needed to operate a sustainable donated goods retail enterprise. The money that AVAPE earns through these operations will allow the organization to increase its capacity to provide job training, employment and additional support services to people with disabilities, youth at risk for delinquency, and others in Brazil who are having difficulties gaining employment.

“As a proven, environmentally sound social services model that conserves national resources while providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages, Goodwill is providing AVAPE leaders with the tools to launch, sustain and grow sites that will serve vulnerable populations in Sao Paulo, Brazil,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The aim is to continue to expand these services to other cities over the next few years.”

Despite the Brazilian government’s attempt to mandate that businesses hire persons with disabilities, the latest government study reports that the disability hiring quota law is less than 24 percent fulfilled. Goodwill Brasil will help adequately train this population on a large enough scale to meet the growing need. The project will also involve members of the private sector, who will serve as financial investors, employers of productive employees with disabilities, and sponsors of employee donation drives.

“We are proud to partner with Goodwill and AVAPE in this project, focused on people with disabilities and their inclusion in the market,” said Luiz Calil, Caterpillar Brasil Country manager. “This partnership will allow the access to professional training, increasing the employment possibilities and improving the quality of life for those Brazilians.”

Goodwill Brasil will improve the nation’s environmental impact by encouraging people to reuse and repurpose the useable clothing and household items they no longer need by donating them to Goodwill. Goodwill Brasil will continue to replicate and advance, with the goal of educating the Brazilian population on how donations impact both people and the planet.

For more information, visit http://global.goodwill.org

ROCKVILLE, MD - As a co-sponsor of the One Away Campaign for elder economic security, Goodwill Industries International is calling on Congress to protect and strengthen the Older Americans Act (OAA). Goodwill and the co-sponsors of the One Away Campaign recognize that today’s older workers have a great need for programs funded by the OAA, as the unemployment rate for seniors has reached record high levels, with one in three older Americans currently economically insecure.

Passed in 1965, OAA is the major national vehicle for the organization and delivery of social services to seniors, including authorization of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) — the only federal program designed to prepare older workers for the modern labor market. Through SCSEP, Goodwill matches older workers with nonprofits or public agencies that can provide on-the-job training opportunities, then assists them with transitioning into regular employment. Since 2006, Goodwill has served more than 6,000 seniors through SCSEP, helping more than 1,600 find unsubsidized employment.

These include individuals like 64-year-old Gretchen “Wendy” Harris of Tacoma, WA. After a 30-year career in the accounting, banking and defense contracting fields, Harris had to stop working due to progressive sight loss from macular degeneration. Through SCSEP at the Tacoma Goodwill, she received job training, learned about accommodations that could help her perform a variety of duties, and found a position as a receptionist trainee at the Vision Loss Center in the state of Washington. Within a year, she received a promotion.

“Before entering the program, I thought my life was over,” said Harris. “The Senior Community Service Employment Program interrupted that. It’s a window into a life I didn’t know I’d ever have again.”

“Goodwill believes that everyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to do so,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “With so many seniors like Wendy struggling to stay afloat these days, the Older Americans Act is vital to helping them find employment and live self-sufficiently— which ultimately will save taxpayers millions of dollars each year.”

The OAA is currently due for reauthorization and will be debated in Congress over the coming months, presenting an opportunity to renew and expand this vital initiative. Goodwill encourages Congress to: expand the scope of SCSEP to include additional older adults with low incomes, allow for pilot programs to create jobs for seniors in specific growth sectors, maintain the current time limits to ensure the program assists as many eligible individuals as possible, and increase collaboration with other agencies and programs.

“The time to stand up for older Americans is now,” said James Firman, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging. “As a national provider of job training and human services programs, we are grateful to Goodwill for their leadership and participation of the One Away campaign and their social services for seniors who need support making ends meet or finding employment.”

To learn more, visit the One Away campaign at www.oneaway.org.