SAN ANTONIO – Goodwill Industries of San Antonio celebrated “Goodwill Week” by hosting a “Rock the Block” party at its new Eastside Good Careers Center at the Ella Austin Community Center on May 16.
Mayor Ivy Taylor kicked off the event with opening remarks, discussing how the new center was a benefit to Eastside residents to hone job-searching skills and identify career opportunities. Marla Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill San Antonio, thanked members of the community for their support in making the grand opening possible.
“Goodwill is proud to be included in the Eastside community and we are excited to bring needed career support, training and services right into the heart of this neighborhood,” added Jackson.
An estimated 400 people attended the event located at the Ella Austin Community Center at 1023 Pine Street. Media from WOAI News 4 and Univsion featured the event in local coverage.
Housed within the Eastside Promise Zone, a federal designation for revitalization, the Eastside Good Careers Center focuses on empowering residents with education and skills training needed to obtain jobs and build long-term, successful career paths.
Services provided at no cost to the public include:
- Career interest and aptitude assessments
- Resume-preparation assistance
- A portfolio of legal support services
- Pre-vocational training to develop skills for job preparedness, using Microsoft Office Suite software and financial literacy
- Literacy assistance
- Information on training and certification programs offered through Good Careers Academy
- Access to community resources through the Good Choices Portal
- Computer access to conduct job searches
The Eastside Good Careers Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Ella Austin Community Center was the first agency to offer comprehensive social services in the eastern sector of the city. Its services include early child development, parenting classes, youth and family services, Artists-in-the-Making, assistance to individuals and families in crisis, homebound meals, senior nutrition, senior activities, and volunteer income tax assistance programs.
About Goodwill Industries of San Antonio
Serving San Antonio since 1945, Goodwill San Antonio is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps change lives through the power of work. When you shop or donate at Goodwill, you are funding educational programs and services that assist people in finding better jobs and building careers in businesses throughout our local communities. Together with the support of our generous community, partners and employers, Goodwill provides employment, training, educational opportunities and related services to more than 50,000 individuals each year. In addition to operating 18 retail stores, more than 25 donation stations and 12 Good Careers Centers in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Seguin, Laredo and surrounding areas, Goodwill operates three Good Careers Academies and manages 17 contracts for services ranging from digital document management to grounds maintenance for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Visit us at www.goodwillsa.org.
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