Goodwill Industries International Urges Congress To Provide Workforce Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
September 20, 2005
Rockville, MD – In the wake of
Hurricane Katrina, Goodwill Industries International is offering
recommendations to Congress on ways to aid in the Gulf region’s
recovery. Goodwill is advocating assistance in the form of workforce
development support, as well as legislation that addresses the needs of
individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.
In a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions (HELP), George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill
Industries International, recommends that the committee consider an
investment in future workforce needs, in addition to focusing on the
short- and long-term needs of those affected by the disaster. “We
encourage the federal government to support the state workforce
development systems in these impacted communities, as well as the
communities in which evacuees are now living temporarily, and perhaps
even permanently,” writes Kessinger. “More than 38 states are now
home to hundreds of thousands of evacuees; these states will need even
more support in order for their workforce systems to meet their needs.”
Kessinger, in his letter to the committee, encourages support for
contracts with community-based and faith-based organizations, as well
as support of the adult and dislocated workers program, state rapid
response systems, and the federal-state labor exchange system. In
addition, Goodwill recommends that the federal government authorize a
temporary waiver on identity documentation to enable evacuees to
participate in federal job training programs, given that many of
Katrina’s victims have lost identity papers and other documentation.
In addition, Kessinger expresses the hope that the committee will put
in place legislation that addresses the needs of individuals with
disabilities and disadvantages – many of whom will find their needs
exacerbated as a result of the devastating impact of the hurricane.
Specifically, Goodwill would like to see the federal government work to
ensure that persons with disabilities affected by this tragedy also
have programmatic and physical access to government services and
resources. This access includes specialized counseling and customized
help for people with disabilities through state vocational
rehabilitation agencies.
Goodwill Industries International, a network of 206 community-based,
autonomous member organizations in 24 countries, provides job training
and career services to people with disabilities, welfare recipients,
low-wage workers and other job seekers. The organization has been
helping people find jobs for more than a century.
Phone: (240) 333-5266
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