FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2010

GOODWILL IS HELPING PEOPLE FIND WORK DESPITE SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH
Jobless Americans Struggle with Long-Term Unemployment

Los Angeles, May 4, 2010 — Federal government officials have said that the economy is on the road to recovery, but there are many people still struggling to find employment. This economic recovery won’t feel real until our friends and neighbors who are unemployed can earn paychecks and support their families. As it commemorates Goodwill Industries® Week (May 2 – 8), Goodwill® is seeking donations of gently used clothing and housewares so it can provide the job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who need them most.
“At Goodwill, we are committed to helping people earn a living and improve their lives, families and communities,” said Doug Barr, president and CEO of Goodwill Southern California. “By shopping at and donating to Goodwill, you are giving your community a much needed economic boost by helping people learn the skills they need to find employment.”
There are 166 independent Goodwill agencies in the United States and Canada that tailor their job training programs and career services to meet the specific needs of employers in their communities. Goodwill provides a wide range of training, including computer courses, health care training, financial services, food service preparation and many more. Goodwill also helps people find jobs by contracting with government and businesses to provide commercial services such as packaging and assembly, custodial services, electronic recycling, and paper shredding.

“This Goodwill Industries Week, we thank you for helping us further our mission of helping people find jobs,” said Barr. “Your continued support strengthens our community and enables people to feel the pride and independence that work brings.”

About Goodwill Southern California:
GSC operates 63 retail stores, 41 attended donation centers, three campuses and 24 workforce/training centers in the counties of Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino. Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, gave GSC its highest four-star ranking for eight consecutive years, because GSC spends 91 percent of its budget on programs that transform lives through the power of work. For more information about GSC and its programs, visit www.goodwillsocal.org.

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