December 5, 2022
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.
