Goodwill's services and training programs help vitalize Arizona's workforce

East Valley Living, AZ, USA
Thursday, October 25, 2007

Goodwill's services and training programs help vitalize Arizona's workforce

By Editor 

Phoenix Arizona East Valley City News 

PHOENIX, Ariz. -  As the nation commemorates the eighteenth National Disability 
Employment Awareness Month, Goodwill of Central Arizona honors the 
contributions and accomplishments of Arizonans with disabilities and is proud 
to support them through our job skills programs and career resources. Resources 
such as Goodwill's Career Centers, rehabilitation services and youth services 
provide exceptional skills training and employment services to those with 
disadvantaging conditions or physical, emotional or other barriers to 
employment.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 32.5 million Americans live 
with severe disabilities.  Despite misconceptions to the contrary, people with 
disabilities constitute a more secure and stable workforce than what many 
employers commonly see.  "Arizonans with disabilities fortify our workforce and 
their successes keep our economy competitive by utilizing a relatively untapped 
labor pool," said Lisa Wilham, vice president of Workforce Development and 
Commercial Services for Goodwill of Central Arizona. "We believe that everyone 
deserves the opportunity to learn, work, and achieve their greatest potential."

Goodwill's School-to-Work transition program within its rehabilitation 
services, has been providing vocational education services to special education 
students for 28 years, which makes it the longest standing program within the 
organization. Students, ages 16 to 22, learn work skills and gain experience 
through training in the Goodwill retail store setting. These services are 
provided to students from Phoenix Union, Chino Valley and Humboldt Unified 
school districts. So far this year, 71 students have gone through training, 
with three moving directly into community-based jobs.

Goodwill is acquiring a new assistive technology station for its Phoenix career 
center, located at 417 N. 16th St. The station, complete with a larger monitor, 
track ball mouse, larger-keyed keyboard, and zoom text screen reader, will 
allow users with disabilities to enjoy a more thorough experience and for 
individuals who cannot type - to use an interactive voice program to control 
the computer. Goodwill's career centers provide a place where job seekers can 
go to receive assistance in securing a job, which includes labor market 
information, community resources, career fairs and web access.

Goodwill Youth Services programs provide comprehensive year-round services that 
assist youth ages 14 to 21 with barriers to employment. Currently, these 
programs provide leadership development, education assistance, occupational 
skills training and other services to over 1,000 youth with disabilities. 
Giving youth the opportunity to change their lives through the power of work 
betters the future for the whole community. Goodwill recognizes the need to 
give youth the opportunity to succeed and collaborates with community partners 
to help youth adults overcome their barriers to employment.

Goodwill also partners with federally-operated AbilityOne - the nation's single 
largest provider of employment opportunities for those who are either blind or 
have severe disabilities.  At Goodwill, AbilityOne contracts provide 
transitional and long-term employment that benefits both the worker and the 
economy.  Workers in the program during 2006, developed skills to increase 
their independence, and earned a salary average of $9.99 per hour, and received 
health benefits. Just as importantly, these workers become taxpaying citizens 
who contribute to the economic vitality of their communities and the nation.

Celebrating 60 years in the Valley, Goodwill of Central Arizona is one of the 
oldest and largest non-profit agencies in Arizona. Our mission is to "Put 
People to Work" throughout Arizona by providing job training and career 
services to those with vocational disadvantages that can include physical and 
emotional barriers, welfare dependency, illiteracy and age. In 2006, we served 
10,000 youth and adults on their quest toward self-sufficiency and placed more 
than 2,300 into competitive employment. For more information on Goodwill of 
Central Arizona visit www.goodwillaz.org. 


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