Goodwill Supports America's Heroes Through Veterans' Programs and Outreach

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill® has long served U.S. veterans and military families, helping them prepare for new careers as civilians and connecting them to necessary support services, including housing assistance, primary and mental health care, and businesses that value their skills. As the nation is welcoming an increasing number of service members home, Goodwill Industries® is extending its outreach through Goodwill for America's Heroes and Their Families, an initiative that served more than 20,000 veterans and their family members and hired more than 600 at Goodwill agencies between April and September 2011.

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Goodwill for America's Heroes and Their Families was established in response to First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's call to do more for military families and veterans. Through this initiative, Goodwill's goal is to hire more than 1,300 veterans and military family members.

"On Veterans Day and every day, Goodwill remains committed to giving back to the men and women who have served our communities and preserved our freedoms," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "When the First Lady and Dr. Biden issued their call for help, Goodwill was one of the first organizations to respond because of our expertise in providing veterans and their families with community-based services and programs to help them build their careers."

Between 2008 and 2010, the number of documented veterans who received services from Goodwill more than doubled, from 12,524 to 25,766. Programs like Operation Independence from Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (Charlotte, NC), Vet Success from Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta, GA), Operation Open Doors at Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire (Savannah, GA), and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program from Goodwill Houston (Houston, TX), are examples of ongoing Goodwill programs that give veterans the integrated services they need to build their careers and care for their families.

Veteran Aubrey Martin struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years, and was incarcerated several times before a fellow veteran told him about Goodwill Industries of Houston's employment services. A Goodwill employment specialist went to bat for Martin, helping him land a job at a trucking company.

"They made me feel at home," he said. "They congratulated me and treated me like a human being. They were willing to go the extra mile to help me."

"Goodwill is ready to help veterans, like Aubrey, who need our help to rebuild their careers and live independent lives," said Gibbons. "We're proud to be able to provide the community support veterans and their families deserve."

To learn more about Goodwill's work with veterans, visit:
http://www.goodwill.org/goodwill-for-you/specialized-services/veterans/ 

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

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International