Goodwill Industries of South Texas Honored With Goodwill® Advocacy Leader Award

Corpus Christi Goodwill’s Education Efforts at Local, State and National Level Lauded at Annual Advocacy Event
ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries of South Texas (Corpus Christi) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International for its work in advancing Goodwill’s legislative priorities and building strong relationships with local, state and federal policymakers.
 
Throughout 2011, the Corpus Christi Goodwill put a high priority on educating lawmakers on topics such as job creation, the earned income tax credit (EITC), youth mentoring and modernization of the federal AbilityOne Program. The agency recognized and acted on the need to balance local and federal interests.
Because of contact with Goodwill, Nueces County Judge Amanda Torres became a staunch supporter of The Goodwill GoodGuides® youth mentoring program, referring more than 50 youth, ages 13-17, who were at risk of delinquency or had contact with the juvenile justice system to the program. In addition, Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame showed support for the agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program by adding EITC information provided by the Goodwill to Corpus Christi utility bills.
The public policy team at the Goodwill also maintains relationships with city council members, county commissioners, the sheriff’s department and others who help position Goodwill as a leader in providing community-based services to people who face other challenges to gaining and maintaining employment.
At the federal level, Corpus Christi Goodwill team members developed a relationship with U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) regarding the AbilityOne Program and its impact on job creation for people with disabilities in South Texas. The agency nominated Farenthold as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion and honored him at a ceremony on March 14.
Goodwill Industries of South Texas is also an active member of the Texas Association of Goodwills (TAG) and contributes to advocacy efforts against unscrupulous payday loan practices, which can become debt traps for borrowers who already have financial hardships. Because of its existing relationship with state representatives, the Goodwill was successful in helping to pass legislation that provides more oversight of payday loan lenders.
“CEO John Owen and his staff demonstrate a profound commitment to policy advocacy and recognize that local as well as national legislation affects Goodwill’s ability to get people back in the workforce,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.
The award was presented to the Goodwill during a reception on April 17 at Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill: ““Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”