Miss USA Deshauna Barber Headlines Goodwill® Summit To Help Veterans And Military Families Build Their Careers

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Deshauna Barber, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and Miss USA 2016, will serve as a keynote speaker and participate in the Goodwill for America's Heroes Summit on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston. Workforce development professionals who work for local Goodwill organizations across the United States will meet during the all-day summit to discuss strategies to help veterans and military families build their skills, grow in their careers, partner with local employers and provide support services for people transitioning from military to civilian life.

WHO: Goodwill Industries International and Goodwill Industries of Houston will host the Goodwill for America's Heroes Summit.

WHAT: Captain Deshauna Barber, the current Miss USA, will speak to Goodwill professionals from around the United States, who are meeting in Houston to discuss ways to help veterans and military families find jobs and successfully transition to civilian life.  She will also participate in the all-day summit to share her experiences and take part in workshops to strengthen programs that help veterans and military families.

WHEN: Captain Barber's remarks will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. Visuals include Captain Barber speaking and interacting with Summit participants. Captain Barber will have some time to do some one-on-one interviews with interested media prior to her remarks. Please contact the appropriate media contacts (information below) to reserve a time slot.

WHERE: Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston, 2222 West Loop S, Houston, TX 77027. Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/VggqxZhTdUm   

WHY: The men and women who bravely serve our country deserve every chance to succeed when they return home. Some need assistance transitioning to the civilian workforce and find jobs to support themselves and their families. Since World War I, local, independent Goodwill organizations have helped veterans find jobs and transition their careers from the military to civilian life. Since 2012, Goodwill has served veterans and military families through the Operation: GoodJobs program funded by the Walmart Foundation. Operation: GoodJobs links veterans and their family members to careers with self-sustaining wages and facilitates holistic resources to support both veterans and their families' personal, career and financial goals.

"Goodwill is thankful for Captain Barber's service to our country, and we look forward to learning from her experience as we help veterans build their work skills and transition to the civilian workforce," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization's highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes' 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com^®. Local Goodwill organizations 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 services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.

For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or Instagram: GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International