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Kelly Sandridge, (540) 525.5728 or email [email protected].
We would love to brainstorm potential story ideas with you!
CampGoodwill Hosting Youth Science Camp
(Roanoke)

Goodwill is in the second week of it's first Science Camp. Students continue to enjoy a fun-filled, hands-on experience that is encouraging their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Youth participating in the Science Camp continue to perform experiments in chemistry, weather, robotics, aeronautics, microbiology, and architecture.

For photo and video opportunities of this week's Science Camp click here for dates and times and topics.

The Science Camp was made possible through a gift from Prabhat Jain who is the President of Virginia Transformer Corp. Mr. Jain is seeking a way to help middle school aged children who are disadvantaged to develop a deep interest in math and science, resulting in improved performance in school and a desire to pursue STEM related occupations. 

The curriculum for the Science Camp was designed by Mr. Jain and Mr. Sarkar, both of Virginia Transformer Corp., as well as a local public school science teacher who will serve as the instructor for the Science Camp. The camp participants will also be given the opportunity to continue their learning throughout the year with a once a month session conducted by the instructor at Goodwill. These sessions will serve to maintain the youth's interest in the STEM field and provide educational support where needed. Youth will also be enrolled in Goodwill's GoodGuides youth mentoring program after completing the Science Camp. 
 
"Interest in the STEM field by youth in our community can serve as a pathway to greater educational and career opportunities," stated Stephanie Hoer, Youth and Day Support Services Director for Goodwill. "We look forward to the opportunity to support and nurture this interest for youth who may not otherwise be exposed to this type of service."

Science Camp
July 25th - August 5th*
8:30am - 11:45am
Goodwill Melrose Jobs Campus, Suite D
2502 Melrose Avenue, Roanoke
*Science Camp meets Monday - Friday.  Breakfast is provided.

The camp is sponsored by Virginia Transformer Corp.

For more  information on the Science Camp,  click here .

For photos from the first week of Science Camp, click here.

For more information on the Science Camp, contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext 107 | Cell: (540) 525.5728
AGoodwill Joins Pearson VUE Network to Offer Certification Testing
(Roanoke)

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has signed an agreement with Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing (CBT) business of Pearson, to test candidates pursuing key industry certifications from leading IT programmes, such as Cisco, CompTIA, EMC, HP, LPI, Oracle and VMware.

"We're very excited about our new partnership with Pearson VUE, said Mary Ann Gilmer, Vice President Workforce Development. "The Pearson VUE Testing System is the most powerful available and gives us unparalleled control and flexibility over our ability to manage our business our way and the agreement means we can easily offer same-day testing, or bring testing to our customers' locations. We're pleased to partner with a company whose industry status, technology and passion for excellence will allow us to provide even greater service for our customers."

For the full press release, click here.

Click here for more information on the Goodwill website.

For more information on Goodwill joining Pearson Vue Network, contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107 | Cell: (540) 525.5728
B
Goodwill Accepting Applications for GoodCare Healthcare Training 
(All Areas)

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is now accepting applications for GoodCare. GoodCare is a free healthcare training program. Through a partnership with Community Colleges and Adult Education or Literacy Programs, participants will benefit from supportive services, life skills, education, training, and assistance to obtain employment in the healthcare industry. Individuals served will enter an in-demand occupation and have the opportunity to grow and advance their career through healthcare pathways. GoodCare will serve individuals who are TANF recipients, as well as other low income individuals.
 
Participating community colleges include: Wytheville, New River, Virginia Western, Dabney S. Lancaster, and Central Virginia. Additional partners include multiple businesses in the healthcare sector and adult education programs throughout the service area. GoodCare will also advance Virginia's professional learning community, expand regional partnerships, and improve the regional Workforce systems. 

GoodCare partners will work together on outreach and recruitment to include TANF recipients and other low-income individuals who would not otherwise have access to training. One GoodCare student recently said, "I am grateful and excited to be a part of the GoodCare program. It has given me the opportunity to rise above obstacles and given me a brighter future."
 
Funding for the program is provided by Health Profession Opportunity Grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 
 
 
For more information on Health Profession Opportunity Grants,  click here.
 
For information on the GoodCare, contact: 
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107  |  Cell: (540) 525.5728

*HPOG is a study funded by the federal government which is being conducted to determine how these training opportunities help people improve their skills and find better jobs. During the study, all new eligible applicants will be selected by lottery to participate in these training opportunities. Not all eligible applicants will be selected to participate in these opportunities.
This document was supported by Grant 90FX0038 from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS.
BoardGoodwill Welcomes Three New Board Members
(All Areas)

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that provides vital support through guidance and fiduciary responsibility. The board is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and fairly represents the geographical regions served by the organization.
 

Goodwill is proud to welcome three new board members:

Matthew Churchill, Union Bank & Trust
Linda Edwards, Edwards Sikkema Associates
Craig Parrent , SunTrust Bank
 
For a complete list of the Board of Directors,  click here.
 
For more information on new board members contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications 
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107  |  Cell Phone: (540) 525.5728
E Goodwill Provides Job Seeker Services to Help the Community Get Back to Work 
(All Areas)
 
Goodwill hosts a variety of Job Seeker Services to help individuals in the community get back to work and improve their employment opportunities. Among these services are a variety of computer classes, workshops, job clubs, and job fairs. All events are free and open to the public with prior registration.
 
Events take place in Roanoke Valley, New River Valley, and Lynchburg and include:
  • Job Fairs
  • Computer Classes
  • Job Readiness Seminars
  • Job Clubs
  • And More
For a schedule of upcoming Job Seeker Services and Classes ,  click here.

For more information on Job Seeker Services contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications 
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107  |  Cell Phone: (540) 525.5728
FUpcoming Photo and Video Opportunities

Upcoming Goodwill Events:

"Real Goodwill" Tour:
8:30am, Roanoke Jobs Campus, 2502 Melrose Avenue NW, Suite B, Roanoke. 
  • August 4th
  • August 17th
8:30am, Madison Heights Jobs Center, 174 River James Drive, Madison Heights.
  • August 31st
For more information on Real Goodwill Tours, click here.

Job Fairs at the Melrose Jobs Campus:
2502 Melrose Avenue NW, Suite B, Roanoke. For more information, click here
  • August 16th , 1pm - 3pm, Multi-Vendor
Science Camp:STEM
2502 Melrose Avenue NW, Suite D, Roanoke
  • August 1st - 5th 8:30am - 11:45am 
    • August 1st - 3rd - Various experiments during the camp make for great photo and video opportunities!
    • August 4th - CSI Day with the Roanoke City Police Department (beginning at 9am)
    • August 5th will include a field trip to Virginia Transformer Corp.  
Reality Check: 
 From 9am to 2pm for more information on Reality Check,  click here . 
  • August 4th at Patrick Henry Boys Home in Campbell County
  • August 25th with Tazewell County Project SEARCH in Tazewell
For more information on upcoming events,  click here . 

For more information on Photo and Video Opportunities contact:
Kelly Sandridge , Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107  |  Cell Phone: (540) 525.5728
General Goodwill Information

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, a United Way partner organization headquartered in Roanoke, serves 31 counties and 13 cities in the New River, Roanoke, and Shenandoah Valleys. Its mission is to help people and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence. In 2015, Goodwill assisted over 45,000 individuals and in this difficult employment market placed nearly 4,300 people into jobs in our community. As of the end on June 2016, Goodwill had helped over 23,000 people who walked through the doors of the organization seeking assistance.
    

Connect with Goodwill Valleys on Social Media:


Goodwill Industries of the Valleys | www.goodwillvalleys.com

Goodwill Mission:
Helping people and families achieve a better life through work and independence.

Goodwill Vission:
Through the work of Goodwill, people will have the opportunity to achieve their greatest potential.