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Goodwill Industries Recognized with First Government Award for Outstanding Veterans' Employment Resources

Goodwill Ranks Highest Among Community Service Organizations Providing Employment to U.S. Veterans

August 29, 2007

Rockville, MD - Goodwill Industries International is to be awarded the first ever VetSuccess.Gov Employer Award for its dedication and support in hiring veterans with disabilities. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows nearly one in five veterans spend six months or longer finding a job after returning home. In fact, nearly 2.5 million veterans nationwide have a disability and are looking to return to the workforce. Goodwill Industries is leading the effort to help veterans find jobs through its partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VRE).

"It is a privilege to receive the Vet Success Award. Since the end of World War I, Goodwill Industries has been helping our service men and women in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment when they return home from duty," says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Goodwill is honored to be recognized with this prestigious award. These veterans deserve nothing less than meaningful employment for the great sacrifices that they made for our country."

The award is a result of the Veterans Administration conducting its first tracking assessment of the number of veterans hired in 2006. The Veterans Administration reviewed the number of veterans hired in the categories of faith-based and community initiatives, federal government, local and state government, union, self-employed veterans, and private sector. Goodwill Industries is being honored with the award in the faith-based and community initiatives sector. Other organizations that are being honored include Lockheed Martin (private sector); Department of Army (federal sector); the Texas Workforce Commission (local and state government sector); the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (union sector); and Veterans Health Administration (veterans sector).

"Goodwill precedes all community organizations across the board in its commitment, willingness, and advocacy efforts to assist millions of veterans entering employment after their tour of duty," says Robert J. Roundtree, M.S., CRC, Supervisor of Employment and Outreach at the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Goodwill's client evaluation, assessment and skills training have helped these veterans find fulfilling careers and provided support and retention services even after they have obtained employment in their fields of choice."

The Vet Success Award will be presented during a ceremony at the VRE's Management Training Conference in San Diego, CA. Bob Dugas, Chairman of Goodwill Industries International's Board of Directors, Mike Rowan, CEO of Goodwill Industries San Diego, Sheryl Chalupa, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Central California, and Eric Olson, Director of Workforce Development for Goodwill Industries International, will be on hand to accept the award.

"Goodwill Industries embodies the true spirit of the VA faith-based and community initiatives," says Darin Selnick, Director, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office of the Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs Office. "Truly, Goodwill's support of disabled veterans is a success story other community organizations can learn from and emulate."

View the Helping Veterans Get Back to Work video.