“Goodwill Industries of the Valleys” announced a significant donation of $10 million from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International (GII) and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. This investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. This gift will enable Goodwill Industries of the Valleys to expand its direct efforts and deliver its mission locally to equip individuals with the skills they need to get back to work and onto sustainable career paths.
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys responds to people’s most pressing needs in Central, Southwest and Southside Virginia, and is dedicated to closing the skills gap and eliminating the associated challenges created by inequities. Goodwill Industries will deploy these resources over a 3-year period to support mission, business and human service needs with a focus on serving individuals with obstacles to employment and providing individuals with opportunities for greater independence.
“We are uniquely positioned to lead the way in ensuring that every individual, regardless of challenges and backgrounds, has access to the skills and services they need to face today’s economic situation,” said Bruce Phipps, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. “We are humbled, grateful and overwhelmed by MacKenzie Scott’s transformative contribution, which will address the growing need for skills training for job seekers and help them move onto career paths, while building access to opportunity and equitable hiring nationwide as millions of community members continue to face historic hardships during this pandemic.”
Goodwill’s mission-based model is proven. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys provides a breadth of services that range from job readiness, skills training — including digital skills, certifications and credentials — and employment placement, as well as access to holistic wraparound services such as housing, child care, financial education and transportation. This financial gift builds upon Goodwill’s partnerships with like-minded organizations for more than a decade, including corporate leaders who work in collaboration and strategically with Goodwill, whether through hiring events, assessments, or other technology.
With more than 17 offices across Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia, we project more than 60,000 individuals will be served by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in 2020 including 2,500 individuals earning employment and helping individuals attain 5,000 industry recognized credentials that will allow them to be more competitive in their job search and to find higher paying employment.
Learn how you can partner with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive at www.goodwillvalleys.com or email development@goodwillvalleys.com.
