‘Tis the season to be grateful, reflect on accomplishments, and plan for new opportunities. The Government Relations team at Goodwill Industries International (GII), is grateful for advocates like you. During the 114th Congress, our advocates sent more than 2,000 letters to lawmakers on important topics like funding for workforce development and job-training programs; support for people with barriers to employment including older workers, people with criminal backgrounds, and people with disabilities; and protecting charitable giving incentives. Local Goodwill® organizations hosted scores of lawmakers at their agencies to show off the mission in action. Furthermore, Goodwill advocates held nearly 500 meetings in DC during the course of this Congress.
This past year we’ve also started to use other means to connect with lawmakers including Twitter (@GoodwillCapHill), and pledges such as our #LaborOfLove Campaign. You can continue to help us grow our efforts by encouraging your networks to join our Legislative Action Center.
From opportunities to testify before Congress to representing Goodwill on advisory committees such as the Advisory Committee to Increase Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities and providing input on regulations affecting the workforce system – GII serves as a trusted resource for policymakers. But our work is far from over.
With the start of the new Congress and a new administration, opportunities are plentiful. The GII Government Relations team will be releasing our policy agenda shortly. In the meantime we are assisting local Goodwill organizations with the tools needed to build relationships with new lawmakers. We’ll also be identifying data and success stories from this past year to share, and gearing up to host our 10th annual advocacy event in April. Stay tuned for more details and ways that you can participate virtually.
