FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lowell King,
(909) 386-6230 direct
(951) 545-1170 cell
lking@goodwillsocal.org

Goodwill creating Hope, Jobs and Futures for those in need
Recognition ceremony honors outstanding Goodwill achievers and valued business partners

Los Angeles, Calif., June 22, 2010 – Goodwill Southern California (GSC) hosted its annual Hope, Jobs, and Futures recognition ceremony on Tuesday, June 8 at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The event, considered a “friendraiser,” is an opportunity for GSC to honor outstanding achievers, graduates and valued partners who help “transform lives through the power of work,” and make our planet a healthier and more environmentally friendly place to live.

“Goodwill’s mission is to serve persons with disabilities or other vocational challenges by providing services to help individuals become more self-sufficient and productive,” says GSC President and CEO Douglas Barr. “Hope, Jobs, and Futures is a Goodwill tradition. It is a heart-warming event that embodies Goodwill’s mission, honoring those who have made great strides towards success in their lives.”

Main HJF award recipients –

Goodwill honored Andre Thomas as its Achiever of the Year. On his own since age 14, Andre started on the wrong path by joining a gang and using drugs. He moved to California, homeless, met his wife on the streets and soon started a family. With new mouths to feed Andre realized he needed to turn his life around. Andre’s attempts to look for a job were unsuccessful. After one day noticing the Goodwill Job Services Center, he began visiting the center every day, actively working with staff to find employment. Andre secured a job working at Home Depot, and has since moved up in the company. He now looks forward to gaining more skills to better his career, and hopefully, having his own business one day.

Margaret Green, Goodwill’s Graduate of the Year has a neurological disorder called spina bifida, a developmental birth defect that requires Margaret to wear leg braces. After extensive coaching and on-the-job support with Goodwill, Margaret now works with group clients at Goodwill’s Cathedral City store to ensure that they complete all tasks and meet individual goals. Her clients see her as someone who has “made it” in the world at work and in her personal life, despite her physical challenges.

Greg Ramirez, job placement technician at Riverside College, was recognized as Champion of the Year. Greg has tirelessly served thousands of job seekers over the past eight years. His passion for Goodwill led to the successful launch of Goodwill’s Job Placement Services for Riverside and Moreno Valley areas in January 2010.

About Goodwill Southern California
Since 1916, Goodwill has been turning donations and retail purchases into good jobs that have led to brighter futures for thousands of people with disabilities and vocational challenges. More than 59,000 people benefited from Goodwill Southern California’s (GSC) education, job training and placement programs last year. GSC operates 63 retail stores, 42 attended donation centers, three campuses and 24 service locations in the counties of Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino.

For more information about Goodwill and its programs, please call
1 (888) 4-GOODWILL or visit www.goodwillsocal.org.

###