Goodwill donations help fund job training program

In this tight economy, Rick Jones is grateful to be employed and he says job training from Goodwill Industries made it possible.

“I am 32 years old, but I’ve got a lot of life to live. This program has given me my life back,” he said.

Jones completed Goodwill’s construction program.

“It’s exciting and refreshing to have skills, to say, ‘This is what I do. I’m good at this,’” he said. “I didn’t have any skills before this.”

Donations to Goodwill stores help fund the job training courses which are currently being offered free of charge. That mean anyone who has ever dropped off clothes, books, furniture, or musical instruments has helped the program because the agency sells those items and uses the money for job training.

In fact, 90 cents of every dollar goes toward providing resources to help put people back to work.

“We provided almost 16,000 people in 2011 with programming services through Goodwill Industries,” said Holly Cooper.

But the group is pushing to reach even more people in 2012, so Goodwill is staying open later to accept donations.

“On Saturday, Dec. 31, they will keep the donation driver centers open until the final car is services,” Cooper said.

It’s a simple gesture that creates big opportunities for people desperate to find their way out of unemployment.

“Just by donating and giving, it keeps people like me motivated and gives us a place to go where someone can help us find out way,” Jones said.

To find out how to donate, click here.