News

The latter part of 2009 marked a time of great progress for Goodwill’s youth programs.

During that period, nine youth participants ranging in age from 18-24 were certified as green specialists after undergoing Certified Green Specialist Certification Training and Testing. As a result, the youths are positioned to be the consultants, advisors, officers and/or technicians in a green industry that will have an abundance of jobs for years to come.

In addition, Goodwill of Central Arizona forged a partnership with the Maricopa County's Juvenile Public Defender's Office to help youth participants get their records expunged, sealed and or set aside so they will not face the roadblocks that materialize once potential employers found out that they committed criminal offenses in the past.

Plans to Open Prescott Career Center; Offer Individualized Job Training in 2010

Goodwill of Central Arizona continues to break records in our efforts to provide job training programs and employment services for disadvantaged youth and adults who need a “hand up” as our nation's economy continues to rebound.

In 2009, Goodwill of Central Arizona's Workforce Development team served 25,333 individuals and placed 6,721 people into jobs. Furthermore, our Career Centers registered 105,319 visits from individuals looking for assistance with job training and educational opportunities. A huge success for Goodwill and for our Central Arizona community in need.

Have you heard about the 2010 azcentral.com BEST Readers' Choice nominations?

For the fourth year, azcentral.com is asking users to nominate and vote on their favorite people, places, businesses and things to do in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

We are encouraging our great clients and customers to consider nominating Goodwill of Central Arizona as the "What is the best place to find bargain clothes" choice. Chances are you already KNOW what great bargains, value and treasures you find in our stores. So won't you please take a moment and vote before March 10? It only takes a few minutes!

In an effort to upgrade its effectiveness in bringing qualified employees together with local employers, Goodwill Staffing Solutions has launched its own Website - goodwillazstaffing.com.

Goodwill Staffing Solutions is a full-service staffing agency operated by Goodwill of Central Arizona. By developing partnerships with local businesses, Goodwill Staffing Solutions is able to recruit, screen and place qualified employees in a wide range of positions on a Temporary, Temp-to-Hire or Flexible Staffing basis.

Goodwill of Central Arizona was recently named to GreatNonprofits' List of Top-Rated nonprofits that provide job training or placement based on user-reviews.

Goodwill of Central Arizona received this honor after sending invitations to our e-mail subscribers and our Facebook community in January. As a result, Goodwill received a total of 19 positive reviews in less than a week. Nonprofits with 10 or more positive reviews are included on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Job Training and Placement Nonprofits list.

Goodwill literally weathered one of the biggest storms in Arizona's history to raise much-needed funds for youth and adults who need a “hand up” to get ahead.

Before the rain and wind blew through the Valley in January, Goodwill was on cloud nine about our exciting opportunity to auction off a vintage, pristine 1958 Thunderbird on January 24 at the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions in Scottsdale.

The U.S. Department of Labor's $7.3 million award to Goodwill Industries International as a part of its Pathways Out of Poverty Grants program will provide a will provide a major boost in needed operations funding to Goodwill of Central Arizona's efforts to Put People to Work.

Goodwill of Central Arizona is one of six member organizations that were included in the Goodwill Goes Green (G³) proposal. According to Lisa Kizer, Vice President of Workforce Development, our agency will receive $1.5 million in funds that will allow Goodwill of Central Arizona to serve about 200 people.

Jason Kerns, 25, is confident that his experiences with Goodwill during the past seven months have set him on a path of success for life.

Kerns, who has lived in Arizona for two years, was having a difficult time finding work before he visited the Goodyear Career Center in June 2009.

"I spent a lot of time looking for work on my own before I came to the Goodwill Career Center," said Kerns.

In partnership with the Maricopa County's Juvenile Public Defender's Office, Goodwill of Central Arizona supports youth offenders by putting the law to work on the side of youth program participants.

Consumers may drop off computers for recycling at any Goodwill location

Goodwill of Central Arizona and Dell have expanded the company’s existing ReConnect program, designed to enable consumers to responsibly recycle any brand of unwanted computers and computer accessories at no cost, to Arizona. Revenue generated from the recycled computer equipment supports Goodwill’s job training programs, workforce development and placement services and other community-based programs for people with barriers to employment.