Thursday, November 10, 2011
TO: Daybooks/Calendar/Correspondents/Assignment Editors/Press Offices
FROM: Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Media Relations Manager, Goodwill Industries International, Phone: (240) 333-5266, Cell: (240) 388-8309,
lauren.lawson@goodwill.org WASHINGTON, DC – Goodwill Industries International will discuss its work with military families and present a white paper titled From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill's Call to Action on Supporting Military Service Members, Veterans and Their Families at a Capitol Hill briefing, Wednesday, November 16, at 8:30 a.m.
Given the stubbornly bleak job market and constrained federal budgets, Goodwill® is increasingly working with military service members, veterans and their families, helping them achieve economic stability by offering job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs, such as counseling, financial literacy, housing, and transportation. Goodwill is calling for a continuum of coordinated services that address the unique needs and complex employment challenges facing this population. Goodwill is also urging greater collaboration among the community-based providers, federal agencies and veteran service organizations.
Attendees will hear from Lance Cpl. Karen Lee a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Houston, Texas. After moving to Texas to be closer to her adult children, Karen found herself unemployed, homeless, and caring for two minor children when news that her son, an Iraqi War veteran struggling to reintegrate, was dead. Karen will discuss the scope of services she needed to get back on her feet and the role Goodwill played in helping her navigate her way, secure her grandchildren's benefits, stabilize her housing and find a job.
Participants:
Jim Gibbons, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries International
The Honorable Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA)
Lance Cpl. Karen Lee, USMC - Goodwill program participant from Houston, TX
Terry Seufert, M.Ed., LSW, Director Program Services, Goodwill Industries of Houston
Wendi Copeland, Vice President of Mission Services, Goodwill Industries International
Date: Wednesday November 16, 2011
Time: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast will be provided and space is limited. Click here to register.
Place: 2212 Rayburn House Office Building
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based, independent agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of the nation's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,600 stores and online at www.shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation and document imaging and shredding. In 2010, more than 2.4 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find your local Goodwill, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org or call (800) 741-0186. Facebook: GoodwillIntl Twitter: @GoodwillIntl