FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Christianne Ray, community relations manager for Goodwill Southern California, 323.539.2095 or cray@goodwillsocal.org.
Goodwill Southern California Earns High Marks from Charity Navigator – Receives ninth consecutive four-star ranking for fiscal responsibility
Los Angeles, Calif., May 2010 – Charity Navigator issues Goodwill Southern California (GSC) its highest rating of four stars for the ninth consecutive year for its ability to “efficiently manage and grow its finances.”
“This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Goodwill Southern California from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” states Charity Navigator’s Ken Berger, president and chief executive officer.
Less than one percent of the charities Charity Navigator rates have received at least nine consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Goodwill Southern California outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible.
“This designation recognizes our continued commitment to transforming lives through the power of work,” said Douglas Barr, Goodwill Southern California’s president and chief executive officer. “Donations we receive allow us to make a direct impact in communities by providing employment assistance programs that help people with disabilities or other disadvantages find jobs. “
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 community-based career resource centers 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.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Christianne Ray, community relations manager for Goodwill Southern California, 323.539.2095 or cray@goodwillsocal.org.
Goodwill partners with Girl Scouts for Good Turn Day
Girl Scouts donate to Goodwill
Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 26, 2010 – Goodwill Southern California and Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles are partnering for Good Turn Days, April 19 – 25, 2010. Good Turn Days is a fun community service project for Girl Scouts to collect gently used clothing and other items for donation to Goodwill Southern California and Goodwill of Southern Los Angeles County.
Girl Scouts will be delivering collected items to participating Goodwill stores. Collected goods will be resold to benefit Goodwill’s programs that provide training and jobs for jobseekers. Service learning projects such as Good Turn Week are an important part of the Girl Scout Experience and provide opportunities for girls to make a positive impact in their community. Participating Girl Scouts will receive a Good Turn Day badge to commemorate their participation.
“Goodwill and the Girl Scouts both strive to make a positive impact on our communities,” says Doug Barr, president of Goodwill Southern California, “Good Turn Day cultivates within young Girl Scouts the value of doing a ‘good turn’ for someone in need.”
For additional information, please contact Deanne Moore at (626) 677-2207 E-mail: dmoore@girlscoutsla.org
About Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
The new Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles serves 45,000 girls and young women (grades K-12) in partnership with more than 22,000 volunteers from more than 350 diverse communities in Los Angeles County and parts of Kern and San Bernardino counties – all dedicated to the Girl Scout mission to inspire courage, confidence, and character and help change the world for the better.
Girl Scouts is a leadership program for girls that inspire character and skills for success in a safe and supportive environment. In every Girl Scout experience, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and make a difference in their communities and in their world. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate, call 1 888 GSGLA 4 U, (626) 677-2200 or visit www.girlscoutsLA.org.
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 62 retail stores, 41 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.
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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.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lea Fierro, community relations coordinator for Goodwill Southern California, 323.539.2152 or lfierro@goodwillsocal.org
Goodwill creating Hope, Jobs and Futures
Recognition ceremony honors outstanding Goodwill achievers and valued business partners
Los Angeles, Calif., May 21, 2010 – Goodwill Southern California (GSC) hosted its annual Hope, Jobs, and Futures recognition ceremony on Thursday, May 20 at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, 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 honored Leo Padilla as its “Achiever of the Year.” This award recognizes an outstanding individual with a disability or other disadvantaging condition who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to employment, while benefiting from the Goodwill work environment. Leo, a high school drop-out struggling to help support his family after his mother’s death, came to Goodwill with a deep desire to make changes in his life. Leo’s experience with GSC’s Work Experience Program led to a job offer with a Goodwill retail store. With guidance and support from Goodwill, he obtained his high school diploma and is working towards attending college and obtaining a degree.
“Before, I couldn’t get a job,” says Leo. “Through the help of Goodwill, I am now employed and able to support my family.”
“Goodwill’s mission is to serve persons with disabilities by providing services that remove barriers to employment,” says GSC President and CEO Douglas Barr. “Hope, Jobs, and Futures event is an opportunity for Goodwill to recognize the achievements of individuals that have relied on Goodwill programs to develop the skills and connections required to make significant changes in their lives.”
Organizations recognized for their partnership and support of Goodwill included: Bank of America, NISH Pacific West Region, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Copper Eagle Patrol & Security, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Federal Credit Union and Microsoft Corporation.
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.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Christianne Ray, community relations manager for Goodwill Southern California, 323.539.2095 or cray@goodwillsocal.org.
People with Disabilities Are Earning Jobs with Goodwill’s Help Goodwill® Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Los Angeles, July 20, 2010 – For decades, Goodwill® has helped people with disabilities find employment, become independent and support themselves and their families. Since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, it has helped increase access to goods and services, such as employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and prohibit employment discrimination. Although individuals with disabilities have benefited from this law, Goodwill knows that those individuals still face challenges to finding jobs and becoming independent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people with disabilities have a more than 14-percent unemployment rate, compared to 9.4 percent of people without disabilities .
According to the ADA, National Network, there are more than 54 million people or nearly one in six Americans who have some form of physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their daily activities, including working, walking, seeing, hearing or caring for themselves. (This statistic was calculated from the U.S. Census’s population total of 309,665,442 divided by 54 million, which equals 5.72 or nearly one in six.)
“Despite these circumstances, people with disabilities have unique skills and talents that add to the diversity and vitality of a workplace,” said Douglas Barr, president and CEO of Goodwill Southern California. “Many people with disabilities need little to no accommodation to do their jobs, and advances in technology are helping to increase productivity for all kinds of workers, including those with disabilities.”
Goodwill agencies offer a variety of services to help people with disabilities be independent and fully participate in their communities.
In 2009, Goodwill Southern California served over 1,300 people with disabilities through programs such as Work Activity, which provides individualized support, counseling, and training in an environment where individuals learn work appropriate behavior and job skills. When additional support is needed, the Supported Employment program provides intensive training and ongoing supervision at the worksite. Additionally, GSC’s Deaf Services Center offers personal vocational social adjustment services (PVSA) for individuals with hearing disabilities.
“Goodwill commemorates the 20th anniversary of the signing of the ADA by continuing to help our friends and neighbors with disabilities build their careers and improve their lives,” said Barr. “We must look past a person’s disability and remember that each person is an individual capable of making a positive contribution to his or her community.”
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 65 retail stores, 42 attended donation centers, three campuses and 24 community-based career resource centers 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.
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Doug Barr delivers a rousing speech to the crowd prior to the Ribbon Ceremony.
With Goodwill dignitaries, local officials and staff of the new store join in to offically welcome the local community to Goodwill’s newest location.
In 2009 GSC diverted 14.6 million pounds of textile waste from landfills, recycled 5.5 million pounds of electronics and recycled 5.9 million pounds of paper. We have been an eco-conscious organization for 94 years, and we do it through three business lines: our retail program, our electronics recycling and our secure shredding. (Every Goodwill location accepts donated electronics. Discarded electronics do not have to be in working order. E waste is basically considered anything with a plug; i.e. cell phones, computer, modem, fax machine, etc…)
Goodwill Southern California Re-Models
The office tower and cafeteria, auditorium, and outlet center were added to the original building in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“The Smiling G”
Designed by Joseph Selame, the smiling G becomes the universally recognized Goodwill logo.
