March 25th, 2022 at 11:30am

Shreveport, LA - It takes many individuals to make Goodwill Industries' mission succeed: employees, board members, donors, shoppers, clients, students, and community partners. Each one is necessary and vital to help Goodwill run smooth and effectively.

To culminate the end of May as Goodwill Month, Goodwill will be hosting its 95th Anniversary Community Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:30am at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino.

As part of the event, several business and community leader volunteers will be honored and recognized for improving people's lives through the power of work. This year's businesses and individual honorees includes: Arthur J. Gallagher; Heard, McElroy & Vestal; Dollar Mania; Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA); Mrs. Bonnie Moore, City of Shreveport Community Development Director; Former Senator Ryan Gatti; and Caddo Commissioner John Atkins; Mr. RJ Johnson; Ms. Sarah Brossette and Ms. Kasei Collins.

In 2020, even in spite of the COVID pandemic, more than 1,075 individuals people visited a Goodwill Job Center seeking employment assistance in one of the 20 different workforce development programs offered throughout the 26 parishes of North Louisiana. Goodwill knows that the work conducted each day at our Job Centers makes a real impact on the community and lives are changed forever because of it.

To learn more about the event, to sponsor or purchase tables or tickets, please visit Goodwill's website at: www.goodwillnla.org or via Eventbrite at: https://bit.ly/3ais7Fz.

The following is a news release from Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana:

The recent articles on NPR and the AP newswires, have compelled Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana to assure our generous community: Goodwill absolutely wants your "junk." And, on behalf of our fellow local, nonprofit leaders who, in this community fund critical programs and services by selling donated goods, they want your gently used items too.

Goodwill would like to address any confusion that may have resulted from this story. While an executive with Goodwill Industries International was quoted in the story to confirm the wonderful increase in donations being enjoyed by the 156 locally governed, independent Goodwill territories across the country, no one from any charity that sells donated goods "admonished" the public about the quality of their donations.

While you may no longer want what you donate, we most certainly do. Goodwill, and other such social enterprises, depend on donated goods to support mission services. To oversimplify, we get stuff, we sell stuff, and we change lives. At GINLA, none of your generous donations go to waste. Items not sold or not saleable in our stores and online platform are recycled or baled and sold as salvage. We do all of this in a socially responsible way, always diverting what would typically be sent to the landfill.

No matter how we sell your donations, we generate revenue to fund the reason why we do what we do - create job opportunities for people with barriers to employment. Every day your donations are converted to revenue that is critical to our mission. Your donations are transformed into real money invested into our community's programs and services.

This leads to measurable and meaningful results for North Louisiana. Over the past three years, Goodwill has served almost 5,600 area residents just through its various job training programs. Whether it is an unemployed person who may have a disability, a neighbor recovering from substance abuse, or someone who may have served prison time for a nonviolent crime, Goodwill is proud to help them overcome their barriers to employment.
We are not alone. Collectively, the largest social enterprises that operate retail outlets in our region rely on your donated goods so they can also convert them into revenue to support their respective work in the community. Together, our impact is important - and impossible without your donations.
The scale on which Goodwill receives and sells your donated goods and put the proceeds to work serving the nation's communities, is staggering. Goodwill Industries is comprised of more than 3,300 independently operated retail locations, nationwide.

Last year, the sale of your donated goods led to 288,000 people getting back to work. Our friends at nonprofit community resale services and GINLA rely on your donations to continue this important work.

In the midst of the 'shecession' and immense job loss, corporate America and nonprofit joining forces to put people back to work.

Shreveport, LA - Goodwill, the leading workforce provider in North America, today announced a new, first-of-its-kind coalition called Rising Together™, which will work to create an equitable economic recovery and provide job seekers with the skills and supports needed to access sustainable jobs. Joining Goodwill with a goal of empowering one million people to access sustainable careers by 2025 are Fortune 50 companies and global philanthropic and business leaders, including the Anthem Foundation, Coursera, Google, Indeed and Lyft.

Together, Goodwill and its partners are providing resources to address the widening skills gap and the negative impact of the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic. The Rising Together™ coalition will provide a combination of holistic workforce services and supports, as well as build and expand upon programs that address the inequities and systemic barriers facing workers in our society the most. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2.3 million women have left the labor force, a phenomenon that is being called the 'shecession,' and many others remain out of work and without the skills needed to gain new employment. Nationwide, pandemic-related job loss has also had a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men and women as well as those who do not have post-high school education.

These powerhouse brands are on the frontlines of America's workforce, hiring thousands of new employees each year. The coalition will use its combined hiring strength to support the holistic needs of job seekers - from providing essential transportation and broadband access to offering training opportunities and job search skills.

Rising Together™ jump-starts a vision for a future where there is a pathway to opportunity that is accessible by all. Together with Goodwill:
Anthem Foundation will launch a healthcare career path training that will benefit thousands of individuals over the course of two years. The program will build healthcare employee pipelines while supporting healthcare workers affected by the pandemic. The training will ultimately lead to credentials, job placements, wage increases and benefits.

Coursera, through its social impact program, will provide 2,000 scholarships to those hard-hit by the economic turndown, including people who are impacted by the criminal justice system, veterans and youth learners. Scholarship recipients will have free access to 4,000 courses as well as hands-on projects and professional certificates that teach job-relevant skills across business, technology and data science.

Google will continue to support Goodwill in its efforts to deliver digital skills training across the United States through programs such as Google Career Certificates, which help job seekers prepare for in-demand jobs in less than six months without the need for a college degree or prior experience. Since 2017, more than 100 local Goodwill organizations have implemented the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator® in their communities, equipping more than one million people with digital skills and placing more than 170,000 of those individuals into employment.

Indeed will help job seekers who are often overlooked or face challenges to finding work with skills-based assessments, job seeker support and employer hiring events. Indeed will work with Goodwill on a fellowship for women who have had to leave the workforce or were reduced to part-time work due to COVID-19 (either voluntarily or involuntarily). Goodwill's collaboration with Indeed will also include the launch of the Indeed + Goodwill Digital Resource Guide, which will equip Goodwill organizations with best practices and recommendations on how to help people find jobs at Goodwill organizations and other employers.
Lyft will continue investing in its LyftUp Jobs Access program, which launched in 2019 with a coalition of partners including Goodwill, to provide individuals access to the transportation they need to get to interviews, job training and/or the first weeks of work. To date, the program has supported job seekers with access to tens of thousands of rides.

"As we celebrate Mother's Day, millions of women, mothers and families across North America are struggling, even as the country works toward recovery," said David Tinkis, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana. "We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in life, but, today, too many people are left out of that opportunity. We must ensure that people can equip themselves with the skills they need to compete for jobs in a changing economy. The Rising Together™ coalition is providing training and other critical services directly to the communities who need them the most."

Goodwill is embedded in every community across North America, and more than 24 million people receive support from the nonprofit annually. These supports include both in-person and virtual career supports, including job training, mentoring, career fairs, classes and job placement; and access to other assistance, such as child care and transportation. The Goodwill brand has a nearly 120-year history and can provide what is needed in times of economic crises, recessions and moments of social distress. Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana has been providing those critical services for 95 years.
To view Goodwill and its partners' commitments to an equitable recovery and to hear from the coalition's executives, visit Goodwill.org/Rising-Together.

"Providing in-demand skills and credentials in a field like healthcare will help people enter a career path that leads to economic stability," said Felicia Norwood, executive vice president and president, government business division for Anthem, Inc. "This is a huge step in empowering families struggling with housing insecurity, lack of access to food and healthcare, and much more. The Anthem Foundation is proud to work with Goodwill and the Rising Together™ coalition to help lift people up and provide the opportunity to thrive."

"Through the Jobs Access program and our work with Goodwill, we know that more than half of the program's participants are women," said Lisa Boyd, director of social impact at Lyft. "We also know that for women who are unemployed or underemployed, reliable transportation to a job interview, job training or the first few weeks of work can mean the difference between successful, long-term employment and lost opportunities, which is why continuing our partnership is critical to helping women get back to work."

"Too many women and families are being left behind amid the pandemic, and without robust solutions, it will be difficult for them to catch up," said Abbey Carlton, head of social impact at Indeed. "With Rising Together™, we are proud to offer access to key services such as job placement support, leadership training and development, and more to help empower people within their own communities to thrive."

"A growing number of well-paying, entry-level jobs require digital skills that can be learned online," said Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. "Together with Goodwill, our scholarship initiative will provide communities hardest hit by the pandemic with free access to job-relevant learning that prepares them to enter high-demand fields."

"Since 2017, Google.org has supported Goodwill with more than $15 million in grants to help advance their delivery of digital skills training to more than one million people across the United States," said Hector Mujica, economic opportunity lead for Google.org. "We are proud to continue to support Goodwill as they work to create greater access to high-growth, high-paying jobs in the digital economy through training programs, including the Google Career Certificates."

Shreveport, LA- Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, Inc. has safely reopened four of its Job Centers to start rebuilding our community and workforce.

Goodwill Industries provides vital community services through its Job Centers and Placement staff. "Now more than ever, Goodwill will play a critical role in assisting the most vulnerable segments of our community who have been laid off or dislocated from employment," stated David Tinkis, President and CEO. "We will still offer job placement services virtually, if desired, but there are many in our community without access to technology. Opening our Job Centers will allow us to accomodiate these individuals."

The four open Job Centers are: 800 W. 70th Street, Shreveport; 3158 Louisville Avenue, Monroe; 311 South Drive, Natchitoches; and 6501 Coliseum Blvd #700-C, Alexandria. Job Centers are open Monday though Thursday 8am to 5pm and Fridays 8am to Noon.

Goodwill is following CDC guidelines and reconfigured the computers to be 6 feet apart, along with limiting the number of job seekers inside each Job Center and sanitizing after each use. Individuals will be required to wear a mask, answer a health screening and have their temperature checked.

Goodwill will continue to provide help with immediate needs such as employment registration, community needs referrals, job search assistance, resume writing, interviewing skills and preparation and one-on-one case management. Goodwill can even connect you to free skills training as requested.

Providing these community services requires funding, and the Goodwill Retail Stores provide a direct financial source to support Goodwill programs and the Job Centers. Goodwill Retail Stores began reopening in May. For a list of store locations that are open, visit: https://goodwillnla.org/shopping-locations/.

Did you know that nearly all tobacco usage begins before an individual's 18th birthday? For decades, underage smoking and second hand smoke has been a major health threat among children and teens. According to Medline Plus, nearly 25 percent of high school students are smokers, and an additional 8 percent use smokeless tobacco products, such as snuff and dip. And with increase in vaping products and the lack of knowledge in teens about such products, the numbers which was slowly decreasing, has significantly increased. Today, 21% of all high school students use e-cigarettes.

In July 1992, Congress enacted the SYNAR Amendment, named after the Oklahoma Congressman Mike SYNAR. This act required states to implement and enforce legislative laws with the goal of barring tobacco products to those under 18. It also requires random, spontaneous checks be performed and an annual printed report produced explaining how the checks were performed and the outcomes of those visits. Last year, legislation was revised and raised the age limit to 21, based on data from the National Academy of Medicine stating this could save more than 223,000 lives and reduce lunch cancer deaths by 50,000 annually.

Louisiana has already seen a dramatic reduction of tobacco access to those under the age of 21. The rates of underage youth who purchased tobacco products from retailers has decreased by more than 25% and the rates of retailers in violation has decreased more than 32% overall. There has also been a major decrease in the number of underage smokers.

In 2015, the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) and Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana (GINLA) formed a partnership to help address the issues with underage tobacco use in North Louisiana, as well as to perform the required compliance checks.

From July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, more than 400 stops at retailers, such as drug stores, supermarkets, gas stations and franchise discount stores, were attempted or made in the 12 parishes of Northeast Louisiana. Goodwill Industries contracted with several youth who attempted to purchase a variety of tobacco products including cigars, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, such as e-vaper or chewing tobacco. Of these stops, only 5 were willing to sell tobacco products to underage youth.

Although there is no dedicated federal source of funding in implementing the SYNAR requirements, the partnership between NEDHSA and GINLA has been able to provide the data to the state to demonstrate the overall success in reducing youth access to tobacco products, and prevent youth tobacco use.

Goodwill Industries is proud to spotlight National Prevention Week and partner with NEDHSA in implementing comprehensive strategies to reduce usage of tobacco products. Without the SYNAR program and the random merchant inspections conducted throughout all of North Louisiana, we know that many more youth would have access to these products and the numbers would be even higher. If you are interested in learning more about how to quit, the SYNAR program or how you can get involved, please contact the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority at 318-362-3270.

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.