Goodwill Helps Veterans and Military Families Build the Next Chapter of Their Careers
Rockville, MD — As Americans take time to honor veterans on Memorial Day, Goodwill continues its commitment of meeting their specialized employment needs. Goodwill honors their service by providing veterans and military families with tailored job training, and career and transitional services to help them find jobs as civilians and build their careers once their military service ends.
The career needs of American veterans are diverse and vary by population. In particular, Goodwill has shown success in assisting the growing number of female veterans, and women now make up approximately 15 percent of the U.S. military population, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Goodwill’s Operation: GoodJobs program, funded by the Walmart Foundation, also helps women veterans, giving Goodwill unique expertise on their job training and community needs.
”Goodwill is grateful to and honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Goodwill helps veterans learn the skills needed for today’s civilian employers, so that they can continue to provide for and care of their families.”
Goodwill has been committed to helping veterans transition from military service to civilian employment since World War I. Funders and government leaders have taken note of this expertise and have entrusted Goodwill agencies around the United States with grant funding geared directly to veterans.
The Walmart Foundation funds Goodwill’s Operation: GoodJobs program, which helps veterans create individualized plans to support the needs of their families and provide job training and placement services to help them build their financial security. In addition, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation funds Vested in Veterans, which builds on existing Goodwill programs that connects veterans with community college courses, job search and placement services, and individualized career and financial plans to support their personal goals.
Goodwill has provided services to more than 173,422 veteran and military family members.
Tremain Denton served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. He served on a variety of naval vessels as well as during Operation Iraqi Freedom and has been deployed multiple times to support the war on terror. Through Operation GoodJobs, Denton received services from his career navigator, Nichelle Brunes. Brunes helped Denton determine his skills and interests and translate his military skills into a civilian resume. Goodwill also helped him boost his job interview skills and connect with hiring employers. Through his hard work and support from Goodwill, Denton earned a position as an Employment Coordinator with Hero2Hired, where he helps those in the armed forces, the reserves and their families access local services and find employment. In addition, Denton continues to serve his country as a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserves.
For more information on Goodwill services for veterans and military families, visit goodwill.org/goodwill-for-you/specialized-services/veterans/
