Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International has named Goodwill Industries® Serving Central Virginia and Hampton Roads (Richmond, VA) as its Advocacy Leader for 2011.
The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s policy and advocacy efforts to further Goodwill’s mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for building relationships with federal and state policymakers.
Goodwill Industries serving Hampton Roads and Central Virginia is recognized for reaching out to lawmakers on issues important to Goodwill’s mission of helping people find jobs and become self-sufficient. The Richmond-based Goodwill is part of the Virginia Goodwill Network (VGN) and has advocated on a variety of issues, including those that fund employment programs such as the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. The agency has also hosted visits with lawmakers and their staff where they offered information on workforce development programs to seniors and people with disabilities, as well as on consumer product safety.
“The staff of Goodwill serving Hampton Roads and Central Virginia are dedicated advocates on behalf of Goodwill’s mission of helping people find employment and live independent lives,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Their advocacy work with lawmakers in the community improves people’s lives by helping them earn paychecks and build careers.”
At a reception in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 11, Charles Layman, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries serving Central Virginia and Hampton Roads accepted the award on behalf of his agency.
“Our Goodwill organization is honored to receive the Advocacy Leader Award and will continue to be a passionate advocate for our community,” said Layman. “We hope that our efforts to educate and engage lawmakers help us further our mission of providing skills development and work opportunities to people with disabilities and disadvantages so that they can reach their fullest potential.”
The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s fifth annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
