U.S. Chamber Foundation and Goodwill Industries® Partner to Provide Career Services to Veterans and Military Spouses

Goodwill's Targeted Job Training and Career Services to Be Offered to Veterans and Military Spouses at Dozens of Hiring Our Heroes Job Fairs Nationwide

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes program and Goodwill Industries announced today a collaborative effort to offer comprehensive vocational services to veterans and military spouses who participate in Hiring Our Heroes job fairs and programs. As part of the partnership, Goodwill^® will offer employment workshops and resume reviews to help attendees make the most out of their experience at dozens of Hiring Our Heroes job fairs across the country. It will also provide individual career assistance for referred jobseekers and in-kind event space for future job fairs and networking events.

"At Hiring Our Heroes, we understand that sometimes just having someone to sit down one on one with a job-seeking veteran or military spouse can make all the difference," said Eric Eversole, executive director of Hiring Our Heroes. "Goodwill has always been committed to supporting America's veterans and military families. We are delighted to partner with the organization in equipping today's military men and women with the career counseling and resources they need to drive our country forward."

"Goodwill has helped veterans find jobs and transition from military to civilian life since World War I, and our commitment to providing job training, career and support services to veterans and military families continues to this day," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Veterans are dedicated and hard-working employees, and we do everything we can to help them find jobs and support their success in the workplace."

The U.S. Chamber Foundation and Goodwill made the announcement at today's Hiring Our Heroes job fair in Milwaukee, where Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago was on hand to promote local resources and provide counseling to all veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses in attendance. Several veterans who reached out to Hiring Our Heroes from around the country have already been referred to local Goodwill career counselors for personalized job search assistance.

Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the goal is to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day. To date, Hiring Our Heroes has inspired more than 1,400 businesses of all sizes to hire 236,000 veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses. And as a direct result of more than 660 job fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, 21,600 men and women have found employment.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy and the global business environment.

Veterans face unique challenges in building their careers once they return home, and Goodwill helps them navigate many aspects of their transition, including connecting them with hiring employers, helping them translate their military skills on a resume and getting them the support services they need, such as financial education, housing, meal service, mental health services, transportation and vocational rehabilitation. In April 2011, Goodwill Industries International created Goodwill for Americas Heroes and Their Families as part of the White House's Joining Forces initiative. Goodwill has committed to help 3,000 women veterans over the next two years. In addition, Goodwill also helps veterans through grants, including those funded by the Walmart Foundation and Bank of America Charitable Foundation. As of the end of November 2013, Goodwill helped more than 113,000 veterans and their family members and employed more than 2,000 either at Goodwill or in the community.

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SOURCE Goodwill Industries International