U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo) is one of nine members of Congress who received the Goodwill Industries International Policymaker Leader Award this week. The award honors elected officials who support Goodwill’s public policy agenda. The honorees were announced during a reception on Capitol Hill as part of Goodwill’s annual advocacy event.
Nominated by Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado (Colorado Springs), Sen. Bennet was selected because of his active participation on numerous committees and strong stance on policies advocating for job training and placement for individuals with barriers to employment, along with supplemental support for their families. These factors are critically important in ensuring the efficacy and sustainability of Discover Goodwill’s workforce development programs, and long-term economic health and well-being of the community.
For example, Colorado State policy changed in 2017 — reducing the number of individuals referred to and assisted by Discover Goodwill’s Career Development Center by 13 percent. Sen. Bennet’s principles and policies have been directed at reversing this dramatic trend and ensuring that Colorado residents with economic challenges can get the assistance they need to improve their quality of life.
“Sen. Bennet’s core values and legislative priorities strategically align with Discover Goodwill’s mission to help people in need gain and maintain their independence by offering practical and effective solutions, through public-private collaborations, to move disadvantaged individuals from poverty to prosperity,” said Bradd Hafer, director of marketing and communications at Discover Goodwill.
In addition, Sen. Bennet is involved in committees with close legislative and policy ties to Discover Goodwill’s workforce development programs, which train tens of thousands of individuals with barriers to employment and place thousands of job seekers into employment each year. These collaborations include the Subcommittee on Children and Families; and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, among others.
Since 1902, Goodwill has been helping people find jobs, build their financial stability, earn paychecks and enhance their skills. This work has helped millions of people build their careers and experience the pride and sense of community that work brings.
