ROCKVILLE, MD —Each November 11, while millions of Americans honor the contributions and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Goodwill® rededicates itself to providing holistic programs and services so that returning veterans can successfully re-enter civilian life.
Currently, there are more than 22 million veterans who have reintegrated back into our society since World War I, according to the U.S. Veterans Administration. For many, that integration has proven difficult because of physical and emotional disabilities, lack of skills for the current labor market, challenges in communicating military skills into civilian work skills and various non-work-related challenges like lack of access to health care, child care and housing.
Goodwill has long recognized that successful and lasting reintegration requires a holistic approach. The 158 local Goodwill agencies across the United States work with veterans and military family members to ensure their specific challenges are addressed.
“When veterans approach Goodwill for help in finding jobs, many are surprised to find that the support offered extends beyond résumé help and job coaching,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Many factors play into an individual’s success on the job, and that requires digging deeper into which services and referrals can benefit each veteran and his or her entire family.”
The Walmart Foundation recently granted $5 million to Goodwill Industries International to expand Operation: GoodJobs, an initiative that equips military veterans and their families with the tools they need to earn employment and ensure long-term financial wellness. Building upon effective practices developed through the program pilot, Goodwill will scale the program to serve more than 4,000 veterans and military families over the next three years.
Goodwill recognizes that reintegration of women veterans poses unique challenges, requiring a whole-family approach as women try to find employment while taking care of their families. That Is why Goodwill committed in June 2013 to engage 3,000 women veterans over the next two years with services and supports that lead to economic self-sufficiency.
“Too many times, veterans find themselves trying to access help from too many touch points,” Gibbons added. “Goodwill hopes to streamline re-entry to cut down on the stressors of an already challenging time in returning military members’ lives.”
