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“Heroes for Hire”

Goodwill Industries Helps Veterans Return to Work

November 6, 2007

Rockville, MD -- More than 200,000 veterans leave the military each year and one in five spends six months or longer finding a job after returning home.  With unemployment rates among veterans higher than in the general population, this Veterans’ Day Goodwill Industries is calling on employers across the United States to hire veterans for their leadership, technical skills, discipline, and strong work ethic.

“Our nation invests billions of dollars annually to train America's armed forces, instilling and developing valuable skills in our service members,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Goodwill feels it is our duty to help our veterans reinvest those skills in the American workforce.”

In 2006 alone, Goodwill agencies across the United States helped some 2,000 veterans find good jobs by evaluating their skills and interests, providing training and job search help, and matching them with employers in the community.  In addition, some local Goodwills offer other support services such as housing and transitional work experience.  For the organization’s commitment to helping veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded Goodwill its first ever Vet Success award earlier this year.

“Since the end of World War I, Goodwill Industries has been helping our fighting men and women find and keep good jobs when they return home from duty," says Kessinger.  “After the sacrifices they have made for our country, they deserve nothing less than the dignity and independence of earning a paycheck and supporting themselves and their families.”

Access free broadcast-quality Goodwill video at The NewsMarket.