Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GWISR) is expanding its mission services into Newnan, Georgia during a critical time in our nation’s history. On Tuesday, May 12, Goodwill will open its new Career Center located inside its recently renovated retail store at 228 Bullsboro Drive. The opening will kick off with a VIP Open House from 11 a.m.-noon, giving invited guests the opportunity to tour the new facility. Then at noon, to mark the official grand opening of the Career Center, Goodwill will release 2,197 butterflies into the air. Each butterfly represents a person GWISR placed into employment in 2008. Collectively, these placements generated an economic impact of $48.1 million.

“While other organizations are being forced to cut services and employees during these tough economic times, we are excited to be able to expand our mission services, especially to those areas of the state that are among the most in need,” said GWISR’s President and CEO, Jane Nichols. Unemployment in Newnan, according to the Georgia Department of Labor’s most recent reports, stands at 10.6% while nearby LaGrange bears the highest unemployment rate in the state of 14.6%. Both exceed the national average of 8.5%.

Goodwill’s goal is to provide another outlet for people who need job placement assistance. “Hopefully, this will help take some of the burden off of local unemployment offices,” added Nichols.

  Goodwill’s expansion was made possible because of you, the Goodwill donor, as all Career Center services are funded through the sale of your gently used donations in Goodwill’s retail stores.

This means Goodwill’s Career Center will provide all residents of Newnan, Coweta County and surrounding communities with free employment services. Anyone, no matter their age, economic status, educational background or place of residency will be able to walk into Goodwill’s Career Center and get help. Goodwill’s qualified, professional staff will provide individuals with job leads and job referrals based on their interests and skills sets. Resume preparation will also be available. Additionally, 16 computers, phones and a fax machine will enable job seekers to not only search for jobs, but connect with employers to set up interviews and submit applications. Free services will also be available to employers to assist with recruitment.

Goodwill’s Newnan Career Center has already gained positive attention from local nonprofit, business and political leaders, many of whom will be attending the May 12 opening. This includes Newnan’s Mayor, Keith Brady, and State Representatives Lynn Smith and Billy Horne.

Goodwill’s Career Centers and staff have the ability to change a life for a lifetime. Just ask Ronald Beavers. He’s among the thousands that have already benefited from GWISR’s other Career Centers in Albany and Valdosta, Georgia. “My self-esteem and self-worth is just out of this world,” said Beavers. Beavers’ journey began when his marriage of 20 years ended and he decided to start a new life in Albany. He only had a small savings account and four boxes of clothes. “She got everything; it’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth.”

Beavers found himself living in a men’s shelter, unemployed and using a bicycle to get around town. Then he discovered Goodwill’s Career Center.  Within a few short months, the staff at Goodwill helped him find a job. Now competitively employed, his savings account has grown. He has moved out of the men’s shelter and signed a lease on his own apartment. He no longer gets around on a bicycle, having saved enough money to buy a truck.

About Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GWISR) is a 501(c) 3 covering 50 counties in West Georgia and East Alabama. GWISR operates 11 retail stores, 3 job training centers and 3 career centers. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers is an autonomous organization and is separate from Goodwill Industries of North Georgia, which covers a majority of the metro Atlanta area. Both organizations do, however, have the same mission of putting people to work. Both also operate career centers and are member affiliates of Goodwill Industries International.

Goodwill is a social enterprise because it sells your gently used donations in its retail stores to fund its job training, placement and advancement programs, which help put people work. In 2008 through its mission based programs, GWISR placed an unprecedented 2,197 people into employment, generating an economic impact of $48.1 million. For more information about GWISR visit: www.gwisr.org

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