December 19, 2019

SHREVEPORT, La. - The Better Business Bureau held its 15th Annual Torch Awards at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport on Thursday. The groupo honored 26 nominees in the Shreveport/Bossier market.

The special guest speaker was Teddy Allen, Louisiana Tech Writer - University Communications. It was emceed by Sonja Bailes, Public Relations Liaison, Bossier Parish School Board.

The awards were presented to four different categories, Integrity Award (businesses that maintain a solid commitment to ethical business practices); Customer Commitment Award (business with outstanding customer service programs); Good Neighbor Award (businesses and employees who play a significant role in their support and involvement in local charities); and Not-For-Profit Award (non-profit organizations that have positively impacted the communities of Shreveport/Bossier and other surrounding parishes).

BBB recognized three finalists in each of the categories:

Winner of the Integrity Award was Basinger Family Dentistry. Other finalists in this category were Career Adventures and Lee Michael Fine Jewelry.

Winner of the Customer Commitment Award was Educator Alexander Consulting. Other finalists in this category were Morgan Tool & Supply and Murray's Auto Group.

Winner of the Good Neighbor Award was Barksdale Federal Credit Union. Other finalists in the Good Neighbor category were Origin Bank and Shreve Memorial Library.

Winner of the Not-For-Profit Award was Providence House. Other finalists were Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier, Renee's Run and Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana.

Also recognized at the luncheon were BBB Scholarship recipients, Carmencita Coniglio, LSU Shreveport; Corbin Phillips, Bossier Parish Community College; Charles Edward Wilson, Jr., Southern University - Shreveport; Gin Pau, Centenary College; Thomas Celles, Northwestern State University and Josie Bush, Louisiana Tech University. The profits from the Torch Awards will continue to be used to establish BBB scholarships to assist business majors pursuing an MBA.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - 74 years ago, Congress designated the first week in October to recognize people with disabilities.

Now, throughout the entire month of October - the contributions of workers with disabilities are honored with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"Employers don't realize there are so many employees out there now that need a second chance," explains Goodwill Industries' Director of Workforce Development Lynn Stevens.

"They have a small disability, not so drastic, severe, or physical," Stevens said, who helps find and place over 2,000 eager job seekers with available jobs, every year.

"I'm one of those disabilities and I go to work every day."

At age 21, Stevens was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy shortly after giving birth to her firstborn.

"Shocked," Stevens remembers. "It's like when someone says you have cancer, you don't know what to say, or what to do."

And three years ago, her then-teenage son was also diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

Despite losing the ability to walk a few years ago, Stevens remains very spirited in her work, helping those with disabilities.

"It really thrills my heart because some people had given up hope a little bit. And here we are, cheering them on, every day," Stevens said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the jobless rate among workers with disabilities is double that of those without disabilities.

"Goodwill not only celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities - but we also want to bring awareness to issues they face in gaining meaningful employment," adds David Tinkis, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana.

Tevin Persley of Shreveport, a college graduate, credits Goodwill for helping him find a job as an auditor at a local casino. Persley was the focus of a 'The Good Stuff' segment earlier this year titled, 'Second Impressions'. Earlier in October, KSLA News 12′s Doug Warner also featured Tony Jones in a 'The Good Stuff' segment titled, 'Love before first sight.'

Jones, diagnosed with macular degeneration, was given extensive guidance by the Louisiana Association for the Blind in preparing for his future without sight, and landing a job as a print shop employee.

Spencer Harrison, highlighted in 2018′s 'The Good Stuff: What can Brown do for Spencer', also overcome his special needs diagnosis, and is set to return to work with UPS again this holiday season.

The United Parcel Service eventually offered his seasonal employment during the 2018 Christmas season after learning of his love of UPS.

Copyright 2019 KSLA. All rights reserved.

Shreveport, LA - On Thursday, September 19, 2019, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana and Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College will host a job fair at the NLTCC-Shreveport Campus located at 2010 North Market Street, Building E, Shreveport.

Caddo Parish Schools, Continental Drilling & Services, Preferred Care at Home, Red River Sanitors, Adecco, Sabre Industries, Teleperformance, US Census Bureau, Cricket Wireless, Frito Lay, Primerica, AAFES Exchange and the Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen are just a few of the companies that will have representatives accepting applications, doing interviews and filling open positions by job fair attendees. This event is free and open to the public and will be from 10am to 1pm.

"Goodwill's focus is on putting people to work in stable, competitive employment and giving them the skills needed to stay in those jobs," Darelene Robinson, Open Placement Manager says. "A job fair is a great way to introduce our clients to employers who are needing to fill positions, and hire the right people on the spot."

Goodwill believes that giving people a hand up is much more valuable than a hand out. Opening doors to people who need jobs, not only empowers the citizens of Shreveport and all of the communities we serve to succeed, but also helps the city as a whole by providing a well-trained and inspired workforce.

About Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana
Goodwill is a nonprofit leader in providing education, training and career services to individuals who face barriers, disadvantages or have a disability. Goodwill has been on Forbes' list of top 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years, the only nonprofit featured on that list. Since 2010, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana helped place more than 50,000 individuals people into employment.

Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana's, ten retail locations provide not only affordable goods and services, but also employment to those in need, and a revenue stream to support Goodwill's charitable mission. In addition, a wide range of business services, including janitorial and grounds maintenance, allows Goodwill to expand further employment opportunities by contracting with federal, state, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Goodwill also offers multiple job resource centers, equipped with job-search experts, computers, Internet access and telephones. Goodwill believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves this chance.

For more information on Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana programs or services, or to find a location near you, visit www.goodwillnla.org.