Valentines created for veteransMore than 400 valentines made their way to veterans in VA hospitals and nursing homes this Valentine’s Day, thanks to the big hearts and helping hands of the staff and program participants at Goodwill Industries of Tulsa. The activity was a voluntary effort conducted in conjunction with the Cherokee Nation’s ‘Valentines for Vets” program.
Tag: Veterans and Military Families
State of the Union Address Includes Programs for Job Seekers
On Tuesday evening, U.S. President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress, outlining messages that are likely to form the foundation for his reelection campaign. The president’s speech acknowledged that, at a time when unemployment is stubbornly declining from the highest rates experienced in a generation, growing industries in science and technology can’t find workers with the right skills to perform the jobs they need to fill.
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Proposed Legislation Aims to Consolidate Federal Job Training Programs
African-American man participants in automotive job training programIn response to a January 2011 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), introduced the Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act last week, which proposes to eliminate 33 existing training programs and consolidate them under four new workforce investment funds.
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Goodwill® Announces 2012 Public Policy Priorities
U.S. Capitol BuildingWhile election-year politics are expected to dominate the 2012 congressional session, a number of issues that Goodwill® cares about are likely to be up for discussion by Congress next year. In anticipation of these conversations, Goodwill has released its official public policy agenda for 2012.
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NC Goodwill® Helps Military Families Build Support Systems
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont launched Operation Independence in November 2010 with a generous grant from the Microsoft Corporation. The grant enabled the agency to develop a state-of-the-art computer lab and hire two full-time specialists — a vocational evaluator at the Goodwill’s facilities and a counselor at Central Piedmont Community College.
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Texas Goodwill® Expands Veteran Services to Accommodate Needs
Houston Goodwill® launched its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program six years ago, and quickly learned that groups of veterans had different needs. The agency now serves females who are homeless, individuals who have recently left the military and those who have been incarcerated.
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Community Partners Collaborate to Secure Success for Veterans
The Atlanta Goodwill® relies on its community partners to fully meet the needs of veterans. While Goodwill’s expertise is employment services, other local organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provide health care, housing assistance and more. Each week, the Goodwill hosts a roundtable, during which veterans can learn about available services.
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Goodwill®, Policymakers Make Veterans Employment a Priority
On November 16, 2011, Goodwill will release its new white paper "From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill’s Call to Action on Supporting Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families" at a briefing on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, as Veterans Day approaches, policymakers have been unveiling proposals that aim to support veterans who are struggling to find civilian jobs.
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My Story: Jerry Jackson
Jerry is a Vietnam with more than 20 years of service in the Marine Corps and Army National Guard. After retiring from service in 1995, he was unable to find work due to physical ailments. The VA suggested he find a training program to get back into a routine, which led him to Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA. There, staff helped create a customized curriculum for Jerry that taught him how to use a computer, the Internet and a digital camera. He now uses these skills in his everyday life and is thankful for the training he received.
Finding Jobs for Veterans Is a High Priority for White House, Goodwill®
On Tuesday, October 25, President Obama announced two executive actions that aim to help veterans find jobs. Goodwill® commends efforts to create more jobs for service members, veterans and their families in light of the continuing challenges this population faces in transitioning to the civilian workforce, and plans to release a white paper next month to help stakeholders understand the current employment situation and support systems for this population.
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