Retailers nationwide are feeling the pinch as customers are choosing alternatives to walking into traditional brick and mortar retail stores. Goodwill is no different. Throughout 2016 Goodwill's retail sales have struggled to meet targets. But for the non-profit the missed targets don't represent unrealized profits; instead it means those dollars are not available to support job training and employment programs.

In 2015 nearly 68% of the organization's revenues came from the sale of goods generously donated to the organization. This resulted in service to more than 45,000 people in central and southwest Virginia who walked through the doors of Goodwill in need of assistance. These revenues also enabled 4,261 individuals to find work as the result of Goodwill programs.

"Like many retailers locally and across the country we are seeing a decline in the number of customers visiting our stores," states Mindy Boyd, Goodwill's Vice President of Donated Goods. "Those who are shopping are buying, but with fewer customers in the stores we are looking at ways to attract more people to come back to the traditional retail stores, but also meeting them where they have chosen to shop . . . online."

Already this year Goodwill has held two sales, a first for the non-profit, in an effort to attract more shoppers. The latest sale took place on September 3rd & 4th and allowed customers to take advantage of buy one get one free on summer clothing. Jim Forer, Manager of Hollins store in Roanoke stated, "Customers were not just shopping sale but the entire store. And they appreciated that Goodwill was offering lower price options and the ability to save even more." Another sale is planned for
 the Holiday Season.
 
shopgoodwill.com Logo
Goodwill has also launched an online shopping experience. What  be gan  as an out let for books and other media that did not sell in the traditional retail stores has now expanded to the ShopGoodwill.com platform. ShopGoodwill allows customers to find vintage collectibles, unique finds, high end jewelry, and many other items. "When a donor entrusts items to Goodwill, they expect that we are going to be good stewards of their gift to us," comments Boyd. "The online auction experience of ShopGoodwill allows the public to determine the fair price, while also allowing for the support of Goodwill programs. But we also want to make sure that our stores still have the treasures that shoppers are accustomed to finding. It's a balance and we are excited to be able to offer the same high quality, low cost shopping experience both in the stores and online."

For more information on Goodwill's Retail Stores, contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107 | Cell: (540) 525.5728
SCSEP Goodwill Honors America's Older Workers During National Employ Older Workers Week 
With older workers making up a large portion of America's workforce, Goodwill is celebrating National Employ Older Workers Week - September 18 - 24, 2016 - which recognizes the achievements of workers age 55 and over. The annual commemoration is intended to increase awareness of and employment strategies for older workers. 

"Older workers have the experience, the know-how and the motivation to be productive, valued employees," said Mary Ann Gilmer, Vice President of Workforce Development.  "In many cases, all they lack is an updated set of skills, which they can easily obtain through Goodwill's training and employment programs."

"Goodwill is a great organization," states Charles Johnson who found work through Goodwill Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). "They care. If you are having difficulties, there is someone there to listen and help. Goodwill gave me the opportunity to change my life." 

An AARP Life Reimagined survey, released in July 2016, showed that nearly 70 percent of workers age 35 and older hope to retire by the time they reach 65, but slightly more than half say they don't actually expect to retire by that age - or at all. That finding is consistent with a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which indicates workers ages 55 and over are expected to make up nearly 25 percent of the labor force in the year 2024, up from about 22 percent in 2014. This will become the fastest growing segment of the workforce, with a rate of growth of 1.8 percent per year, or more than 3 times the growth rate of the overall labor force. 

Goodwill is one of only 15 national nonprofit organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor to administer SCSEP to provide assistance to older workers. When seniors come to Goodwill, job coaches deliver thorough needs assessments, create individual employment plans, administer basic skills classes and assist in job training, placement and eventual transition to non-subsidized employment. Goodwill's SCSEP efforts have helped more than 8,502 older adults in local communities nationwide since 2006. 

SCSEP, which was authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965, is the only federally sponsored employment and training program targeted specifically to unemployed individuals with low incomes, aged 55 and older. Through SCSEP, these individuals receive paid training through part-time, service-oriented positions in their communities. The program aims to promote community service while helping participants achieve fiscal self-sufficiency.

SCSEP is currently enrolling seniors who need assistance re-entering the workforce. Interested individuals should call (866) 681-0850 or e-mail [email protected].

For more information on Goodwill's SCSEP Program, contact:
Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107 | Cell: (540) 525.5728
Re-Entry Prisoner Re-Entry Program - Arrange a Personal Interest Story
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is dedicated to providing effective, comprehensive employment services to men and women with criminal convictions. Our highly structured and supervised Prisoner Re-Entry services help returning citizens regain and discover the skills and confidence needed for a successful transition to a stable, productive life.

Goodwill's Re-Entry program is fully funded through the Round Up program in stores and through retail sales. There are many individuals who have participated in the Re-Entry program who are now employed with Goodwill in our stores and other positions within the organization.
 
To arrange a personal interest story with an individual who has been involved in Goodwill's Prisoner Re-Entry program and has successfully obtained employment and made the transition, please contact:

Kelly Sandridge, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 107 | Cell: (540) 525.5728
 
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: Blue Ridge and Piedmont 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 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 .
JobSeekerGoodwill Provides Job Seeker Services to Help the Community Get Back to Work
 
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 Staunton, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and include:
  • Job Fairs
  • Computer Classes
  • Job Seeker Workshops
  • 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


Upcoming Goodwill Events:

Job Fair - Charlottesville Workforce Center  (2211 Hydraulic Road):
  • September 21st, 1pm - 4pm, Multi-Vendor 
For more information, click here.

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. At the end of August 2016, Goodwill had helped over 30,000 people who walked through the doors of the organization seeking assistance.










Connect with Goodwill Valleys on Social Media:

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn  Find us on Pinterest  View on Instagram  Visit our blog  View our videos on YouTube  Find us on Google+ 
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.