North Louisiana, LA - The Governor's Office of Disabilities Affairs will be recognizing Lynn Stevens on Wednesday, December 7th at 2pm in the Old State Capital as part of the Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards Ceremony. The Annual GOLD Awards is an opportunity for Louisiana to pay tribute to the achievements and dedication of individuals in the disability community.

Lynn Stevens has been selected as this year's Patsy Barrett Memorial Award Winner. Patsy Barrett was a human rights activist, and initiated the GOLD Awards in 1982 to recognize people who work for equality, justice and dignity for people with disabilities. Ms. Barrett was also involved in policy development at the national level and worked with leaders who helped formulate the Americans with Disabilities Act into Federal Law.

"Ms. Stevens, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana's Director of Workforce Development, was selected for her leadership abilities and achiefvements as a disability advocate. Her inspiration and positive changes in the community have made North Louisiana a better place for all people", said Lillian DeJean, Senior Coordinator of Office of Disabilities Affairs.

This year's program will be livestreamed on the Governor's Office of
Community Programs' YouTube channel, as well as shown on local public stations across the state in the months following the GOLD Awards.
Other recipients of the 2022 GOLD Awards are: Distinguished Merit Award: Kathy Dwyer, Metarie; Ken Vince Memorial Award: David Green, New Orleans; Educator of the Year: Dr. Charles Michel, Gray; April Dunn Youth of the Year: Garrison St. Martin; Family of the Year: The Billings-Roger Family, Baton Rouge; Volunteer of the Year: Kathleen Cannino, Covington; Direct Support Person of the Year: Rodricka Winn, Shreveport; Elected Official of the Year: Representative Rodney Lyons, Harvey; Public Servant of the Year: Dr. John Schweitzer, Baton Rouge; Service Provider of the Year: Family & Youth Counseling, Lake Charles; Veteran of the Year: Sgt. Billy Robbins, Gonzales; and Employer of the Year: Families Helping Familes of Southwest Louisiana.
For more information or questions on the GOLD awards, contact the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs at disability.affairs@la.gov or 225-219-7550.
Goodwill wants to ensure that all individuals who want to work can work, and that they have access to services that enable them to do so. Further, people with disabilities are a dependable and valuable workforce who have higher rates of employee retention, which reduces hiring and training costs.

In 2021, Goodwill organizations across North America placed more than 140,000 people with disabilities into employment. Goodwill organizations also provide support services like rehabilitation programs for people with injuries or illnesses, occupational skills training, and job readiness and soft skills training.

To commerate the importance of this month to the community, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will be hosting an Inclusion Job & Resource Fair on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 10am to 2pm. The event is being sponsored by Healthy Blue Louisiana.

Goodwill's Job Centers operates daily to assist those with disabilities find employment or move up the career ladder. For more information, contact us today at 318-868-4701or visit www.goodwillnla.org.


About Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana:
Founded in 1926, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is provide education, training and career services to individuals who face barriers, disadvantages or have a disability. Since 2005, Goodwill has helped 50,000 achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.

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.

North Louisiana, LA - Throughout October, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana joins employers, government agencies and nonprofits in honoring the contributions of workers with disabilities by celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

As our economy works to recover from the effects of the pandemic, companies have a critical need for skilled and reliable workers of all backgrounds. To help companies recover, Goodwill Industries is calling on employers to consider hiring people with disabilities and adopt inclusive policies and practices in the workplace.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that just over 22.5% of Americans with disabilities participate in the labor force. That compares with more than 67% of people in the general population who are working.

Goodwill wants to ensure that all individuals who want to work can work, and that they have access to services that enable them to do so. Further, people with disabilities are a dependable and valuable workforce who have higher rates of employee retention, which reduces hiring and training costs.

In 2021, Goodwill organizations across North America placed more than 140,000 people with disabilities into employment. Goodwill organizations also provide support services like rehabilitation programs for people with injuries or illnesses, occupational skills training, and job readiness and soft skills training.

To commerate the importance of this month to the community, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will be hosting an Inclusion Job & Resource Fair on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 10am to 2pm. The event is being sponsored by Healthy Blue Louisiana.

Goodwill's Job Centers operates daily to assist those with disabilities find employment or move up the career ladder. For more information, contact us today at 318-868-4701or visit www.goodwillnla.org.


About Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana:
Founded in 1926, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is provide education, training and career services to individuals who face barriers, disadvantages or have a disability. Since 2005, Goodwill has helped 50,000 achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.

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.

Shreveport, LA - On March 30th, 2022, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host an in-person Job Fair at its Job Center located at 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Companies will be onsite accepting applications, doing interviews and hiring on-the-spot for more than 300 open positions. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 2pm.

"More and more individuals have started coming back to our Job Centers knowing that the increased unemployment assistance is ending this month. We are focused on making it easy for them by having many employers onsite to help ease this process and get individuals back to work," stated Lynn Stevens, Director of Workforce Development.

All applicants will be required to complete a health screening form and those who not vaccinated, masks will be available onsite. Since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Goodwill has sponsored numerous job fairs.

Shreveport, LA - On March 30th, 2022, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host an in-person Job Fair at its Job Center located at 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Companies will be onsite accepting applications, doing interviews and hiring on-the-spot for more than 300 open positions. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 2pm.

"More and more individuals have started coming back to our Job Centers knowing that the increased unemployment assistance is ending this month. We are focused on making it easy for them by having many employers onsite to help ease this process and get individuals back to work," stated Lynn Stevens, Director of Workforce Development.

All applicants will be required to complete a health screening form and those who not vaccinated, masks will be available onsite. Since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Goodwill has sponsored numerous job fairs.

Shreveport, LA - On March 30th, 2022, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host an in-person Job Fair at its Job Center located at 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Companies will be onsite accepting applications, doing interviews and hiring on-the-spot for more than 300 open positions. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 2pm.

"More and more individuals have started coming back to our Job Centers knowing that the increased unemployment assistance is ending this month. We are focused on making it easy for them by having many employers onsite to help ease this process and get individuals back to work," stated Lynn Stevens, Director of Workforce Development.

All applicants will be required to complete a health screening form and those who not vaccinated, masks will be available onsite. Since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Goodwill has sponsored numerous job fairs.

Shreveport, LA - In celebration of Women's History Month, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host a free, virtual discussion on women in leadership and honor the contributions women have made to the community and society.

The webinar will take place on Friday, March 25, 2022 beginning at 11:30am and is open to the public. Featured panelists include:
Sarah Giglio, President of the Junior League of Shreveport Bossier
Dr. Evelyn Baraco Pryor, Medical Director at Ochsner LSU Health Ambulatory Care Center and Internal Medicine
Anjanette Brundrett, Human Resources Director at Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana

Marquel Sennet, Director of Communications for the City of Shreveport, will moderate the lunch hour event, which is being sponsored by Goodwill's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Registration is free and capacity is limited. To register to participate, please visit: https://bit.ly/DEIWomensHistory.

Shreveport, LA - On March 16th, 2022, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host an in-person Job Fair at its Job Center located at 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Companies will be onsite accepting applications, doing interviews and hiring on-the-spot for more than 300 open positions. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 2pm.

"More and more individuals have started coming back to our Job Centers knowing that the increased unemployment assistance is ending this month. We are focused on making it easy for them by having many employers onsite to help ease this process and get individuals back to work," stated Lynn Stevens, Director of Workforce Development.

All applicants will be required to complete a health screening form and those who not vaccinated, masks will be available onsite. Since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Goodwill has sponsored numerous job fairs.

Shreveport, LA - On February 24th, 2022, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana will host an in-person Job Fair at its Job Center located at 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Companies will be onsite accepting applications, doing interviews and hiring on-the-spot for more than 300 open positions. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 2pm.

"More and more individuals have started coming back to our Job Centers knowing that the increased unemployment assistance is ending this month. We are focused on making it easy for them by having many employers onsite to help ease this process and get individuals back to work," stated Lynn Stevens, Director of Workforce Development.

All applicants will be required to complete a health screening form and those who not vaccinated, masks will be available onsite. Since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, Goodwill has sponsored numerous job fairs.