A MESSAGE
goodwill
FROM THE CEO
olympics
&
of the rainier region
September 2014
Terry Hayes President & CEO
Dear Friends: I wanted to share with you a few important initiatives that Goodwill is involved in that are impacting the people we serve and the community at large. Together, we are building a stronger community and helping people in need go to work. Please take a moment to read the stories below. Thank you.
NORTHWEST BUSINESSES COMMIT $800,000 TO JOB TRAINING I’m thrilled to recognize the contributions and support we’ve received over the past year from Bank of America, Boeing, Chase, Chuckals, Columbia Bank, Fred Meyer, Home Depot, Key Bank, Lowes, Starbucks, The News Tribune, Verizon, Walmart and Wells Fargo.
state reports more than 10,000 area families are receiving cash public assistance from DSHS. I urge businesses interested in helping youth, families, single parents and transitioning soldiers to contact Mike Shields in our Corporate Alliance Program (253.573.6650).
CHASE GRANT OPENS DOORS FOR GOODWILL TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYEES Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Goodwill employees who desire a career plan and path to higher wages now have a new opportunity!
These 14 businesses are contributing $800,000 in job training resources to benefit 9,500 unemployed over the next year. Each business also continues to hire graduates from Goodwill’s office, culinary, barista, catering, retail, custodial, warehouse-transportation-logistics, construction and veteran services programs. Their efforts will help to remove 2,700 unemployed off of $20 million per year in Federal/State unemployment and social service benefits. The focus of the Corporate Alliance Program is to recognize community efforts to support at-risk unemployed young adults, parents, single parents, women, veterans and others in need with free education, job training and job placement. Washington state is ranked 43rd in high school graduation rates, and locally 30% of the kids never graduate. Regional struggling families (and single parent families) also face an uphill battle as Washington
ACCELERATED JBLM DRAWDOWN MAY UNDERMINE SOCIAL SERVICE NETWORK
The Career Pathway Education Program partners with local businesses to help bridge the skills gap between entry wage employment and what employers need for advanced positions. The effort increases our Goodwill “transitional workforce,” creating initial employment for job trainees that serves as a step up to satisfying careers with our outside business partners. Grant funds will support employees already in our warehouse, transportation and logistics business lines, allowing them to develop higher skills through a seven week course that leads to certifications and credentials in Warehouse and Logistics. The program features career planning, financial education and coaching, and job placement assistance, increasing earnings and overall career growth potential.
We are alarmed to learn that the drawdown of our military forces between 2015 – 2020 may eliminate up to 16,000 military and civilian jobs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington. As you know, an important part of our mission is helping military veterans transition into the civilian workforce. We are honored to assist 683 transitioning soldiers with support services this year, including providing 281 with intensive individual case management services and placing 179 veterans into employment with the help of our community partners. The military population is vital to our local economy. If the region loses $1.2 billion in annual sales from removal of soldiers, Army civilians, and their families, this will mean a reduction in our ability to fund mission services for the unemployed in the region. Add in the impact to area business from the loss of 17,757 contract service jobs, and subsequent loss of job opportunities due to a slowed economy and you have a recipe for disaster. JBLM is closely interdependent with a huge metropolitan area. Pierce County, the state and the federal government cannot afford the economic devastation and loss of privately funded social services from further elimination of military and civilian jobs and contract work. We urge everyone to contact your local Chamber, business group and your state and area legislators to voice your concern and learn what you can do to make a difference.
OUR GOODWILL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1920. IN SEPTEMBER 2009, WE OPENED THE MILGARD WORK OPPORTUNITY CENTER. 5TH ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
46,383 PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED JOB TRAINING AND SUPPORT 14,888 AT RISK YOUTH HAVE BEEN HELPED AT THE REACH CENTER 10,310 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN JOBS WITH OVER 1,000 REGIONAL COMPANIES
Goodwill helps people with barriers to employment go to work by providing jobs, training & educational opportunities. This year Goodwill will provide 9,500 people job services & place 2,800 people in jobs. 1