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Goodwill Industries International Urges Congress To Provide Workforce Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

September 20, 2005

Rockville, MD – In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Goodwill Industries International is offering recommendations to Congress on ways to aid in the Gulf region’s recovery. Goodwill is advocating assistance in the form of workforce development support, as well as legislation that addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.

In a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, recommends that the committee consider an investment in future workforce needs, in addition to focusing on the short- and long-term needs of those affected by the disaster. “We encourage the federal government to support the state workforce development systems in these impacted communities, as well as the communities in which evacuees are now living temporarily, and perhaps even permanently,” writes Kessinger.  “More than 38 states are now home to hundreds of thousands of evacuees; these states will need even more support in order for their workforce systems to meet their needs.”

Kessinger, in his letter to the committee, encourages support for contracts with community-based and faith-based organizations, as well as support of the adult and dislocated workers program, state rapid response systems, and the federal-state labor exchange system. In addition, Goodwill recommends that the federal government authorize a temporary waiver on identity documentation to enable evacuees to participate in federal job training programs, given that many of Katrina’s victims have lost identity papers and other documentation.

In addition, Kessinger expresses the hope that the committee will put in place legislation that addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities and disadvantages – many of whom will find their needs exacerbated as a result of the devastating impact of the hurricane. Specifically, Goodwill would like to see the federal government work to ensure that persons with disabilities affected by this tragedy also have programmatic and physical access to government services and resources. This access includes specialized counseling and customized help for people with disabilities through state vocational rehabilitation agencies.  

Goodwill Industries International, a network of 206 community-based, autonomous member organizations in 24 countries, provides job training and career services to people with disabilities, welfare recipients, low-wage workers and other job seekers.  The organization has been helping people find jobs for more than a century.