Louisville, Ky. — Goodwill Industries of Kentucky placed 1,654 people in jobs in the first seven months of fiscal year 2011, just three shy of the total number of placements the organization achieved in 2010. The job creation, training and placement agency for Kentuckians with disabilities or other barriers to employment also paid out $9,222,566 in mission-related wages from September 2010 through April 2011, slightly up from 2010.
“At this time last year, we had placed 773 individuals in jobs, which was an increase over 2009,” said Roland R. Blahnik, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. “We expect to see our placement figures follow this upward trajectory for the remainder of the year as the number of people who come to Goodwill for job training and placement assistance continues to rise.”
While the primary function of Goodwill’s donation and retail centers are to create jobs and job training opportunities, the centers also generate revenue to support a variety of employment and placement programs throughout the state. The agency served nearly 10,800 individuals in 2010 and is on pace to exceed that number in 2011.
“Individuals with disabilities or other disadvantages face barriers that are magnified in a struggling economy,” said Blahnik. “Goodwill’s job placement services help narrow the gap and put Kentuckians to work.”
Goodwill operates 59 donation and retail centers in 39 counties. In 2010, the agency built new centers to replace older facilities in Burnside, Bowling Green and Louisville, while a new location opened in Columbia in October. In 2011, Goodwill has relocated centers in Louisville (Middletown) and Hopkinsville and opened a new location in Paris. Goodwill expects to open a donation and retail center in Barbourville later this year.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
As one of the largest Goodwills in the country, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky accepts a variety of donations, including used clothing and other household items, which are sold in its stores. Donations are tax deductible and receipts are available. Goodwill Industries of Kentucky has helped place 1,654 Kentuckians in jobs and paid more than $9 million in mission-related wages in during the first seven months of fiscal year 2011. Kentucky’s Goodwill has 59 centers throughout the state that provide jobs and job training. Goodwill also provides employment services and post-employment support to help people with disabilities or other disadvantages achieve and maintain employment to gain a better quality of life. For your nearest donation center or retail store, visit www.goodwillky.org.
