SAN ANTONIO – Goodwill Industries of San Antonio is celebrating 70 years of helping individuals change their lives through the power of work in San Antonio and the surrounding communities.
 
Through job training, education and career services, Goodwill helps people find jobs and prepares them to build careers. On Thursday, October 22, Goodwill celebrated with 250 of their community friends and shared the impact of their collective work on lives.
 
Learn more through News 4 San Antonio.
 

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Goodwill President and CEO, Marla Jackson, stated “Goodwill remains committed to our mission to help change lives through the power of work. We understand the diverse needs in our communities and we are committed to building lives, families and communities, one career at a time, by helping people discover their gifts and strengths through work, education and career services.”

 

In total last year, Goodwill served 51,605 individuals at their Good Career Centers and placed 2,154 people in competitive jobs. Goodwill is also one of the largest employers of service-disabled veterans in the State of Texas. In 2014, their Contract Services unit employed more than 450 individuals, 87% of whom have a significant disability. This number includes 102 veterans, 81 of whom are service-disabled.

 

During the 70th celebration, featuring keynote speaker Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and emcee Randy Beamer of News 4 San Antonio, Goodwill honored several individuals for their outstanding contributions and partnerships with Goodwill and the community.

 

  • Recipients of the Bill Sinkin Partnership Award were Anthony Hargrove, CEO of the Ella Austin Community Center, for partnering to open a Good Careers Center in the heart of San Antonio’s Eastside Promise Zone; Lytle High School Counselor Catherine Hoffman, who initiated the high school program in Lytle High School with Goodwill; and Johnny Vahalik of North East Independent School District who quickly expanded the Goodwill high school program to three high schools within North East ISD.

 

  • Rob Glenn, past Board Chair of Goodwill, received the Jim Matson Inspiration Award. This distinguished award recognizes an individual who has made a notable impact on Goodwill. Under Glenn’s leadership as Board Chair, Goodwill San Antonio launched training classes for students in local high schools that help students enter the workforce through skills training certification classes, such as Pharmacy Technician and Certified Nurse’s Aides. Now, more than 100 students in seven high schools have earned a trade certification in addition to their high school diploma, giving them a marketable skill where they can begin earning a sustainable wage post-graduation.

 

Founded in 1945 by William “Bill” Sinkin and a handful of local community leaders, Goodwill has remained constant in their mission to help individuals overcome barriers and improve their lives. Starting with a simple shoe repair factory in 1946, over the years Goodwill has expanded and strengthened their delivery of services and now provides thousands of people each year with training, education, employment and other support services through their Good Careers Academies, Good Career Centers, Contract Services and the Veterans Resource and Career Center.

 
To learn more about the positive impact Goodwill has made in San Antonio and surrounding communities, visit www.goodwillsa.org.
 
About Goodwill Industries of San Antonio

Serving San Antonio since 1945, Goodwill San Antonio is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise that helps change lives through the power of work. When you shop or donate at Goodwill, you’re funding education, training and services to prepare people to find better jobs and build careers in diverse companies throughout the communities we serve. Together with the support of our generous community, partners and employers, Goodwill provides employment and related services to more than 50,000 individuals each year in South Central Texas. In addition to operating 19 retail stores, 34 donation stations and 13 Good Careers Centers in San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, New Braunfels, Seguin and surrounding areas, Goodwill operates three Good Careers Academies and manages 16 contracts for the U.S. government for services ranging from document management to grounds maintenance.

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