Week long activities take place locally

NEW ORLEANS (April 27, 2015) – For the last 51 years during the first full week of May, Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada celebrate the power of work through local events and awareness efforts. This year, Goodwill Week is recognized May 3- 9 and dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana’s (Goodwill) job training, career and other community-based services that help people find jobs, earn paychecks and strengthen their families and communities. Last year, Goodwill served 3,438 people and placed 279 individuals into competitive employment.

“We could not carry out our mission without the continued support of our community,” says William L. Jessee, president of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana. “We thank the thousands of people throughout Southeastern Louisiana who clean out their closets for the benefit of Goodwill, the shoppers who visit our retail stores, the businesses who hire Goodwill graduates, and our staff who dedicate themselves to helping people overcome barriers to employment. We ask everyone for their continued support. Together we are changing lives of thousands of people annually through the power of work.”

Whether a person needs a gentle push to help them along their road to independence, or a guiding hand through the entire process, Goodwill programs are designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged job seekers who need help. In addition to job training and employment programs, Goodwill offers life and job readiness skills as part of its holistic approach to giving people a hand up, not a hand out.

“Many of our participants are faced with homelessness, literacy issues and other social ills that affect their success and employment. At Goodwill, we provide wrap-around services to help address these barriers,” said Kim Rugon, Ph.D., vice president of workforce development and mission services for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana.

In order to serve even more people in the community, Goodwill is opening the Goodwill Career & Technical College (GCTC) which specializes in helping vulnerable populations receive industry certifications and skills in high-demand local industries.

Opening in August at 3400 Tulane Avenue in Mid City New Orleans, GCTC will offer affordable career training and industry based certifications in Broadband Technology (CTECH), START (Hospitality and Tourism), Microsoft Office Technology and Digital Literacy.

Other Good News & Community Awareness Initiatives this Week:

  • A television advertising campaign for Goodwill retail stores launches on May 3,
    featuring “the Goodwill Guy,” a successful advertising character developed by the
    Indianapolis Goodwill. The spots illustrate Goodwill’s mission behind the brand,
    encourage donating goods and shopping Goodwill for treasures. It is one of several
    Goodwill Guy commercials which will run for the remainder of 2015 on several cable
    news channels, including Bravo!, Food, HGTV, and other local networks.
  • A separate, #GoodwillFashionFinds campaign, targeted to female millennials to
    dispel misperceptions about shopping at Goodwill, launches on digital media
    channels and will give online supporters an opportunity to win prizes in the
    #GoodwillFashionFinds contest at Facebook/com/GoodwillIndustriesSELA.
  • On Wednesday, May 6, Goodwill will host a career fair for its participants to provide
    mock interviews and employment opportunities with several New Orleans employers.
    By invitation only.
  • As part of its sustainability efforts, Goodwill is launching a corporate e-waste recycling
    program, providing businesses with an environmentally responsible and FREE
    solution to recycling unwanted electronics.
  • On Thursday, May, 7, Goodwill will cohost the Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s
    Business Alliance event from 5:00-7:00 at Hotel Storyville.

For more information about these and other Goodwill programs, services and initiatives, please contact Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana at: 504-456-3926 or visit the website at: www.goodwillno.org.

About Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana

Goodwill is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to offering opportunities to people with disabilities and other employment disadvantages to improve their economic selfsufficiency through training, education, support services and employment. In 2014, 3,438 people received Goodwill’s employment and training services. Goodwill is the original social enterprise—operating more than a dozen janitorial and grounds maintenance contracts and 18 retail stores in 14 cities—including Baton Rouge, Covington, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Hammond, Houma, Kenner, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans, River Ridge, Slidell, Walker and Zachary.