Goodwill Receives Grant to Support Homeless Veterans

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Goodwill of Central Illinois has been awarded a grant for $200,000 from the Department of Labor. The money will be used to assist homeless veterans with job training and job placement. The grant was awarded under the DOL’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). Goodwill of Central Illinois is the only grant holder for this program in Illinois, south of Cook County.

Any homeless veteran with a discharge, other than dishonorable, is eligible for the program. Goodwill staff will assist the participants with computer training, job readiness training and job placement. Each veteran receives one-on-one instruction on Microsoft Office computer programs, resume writing, interviewing skills and job search methods. A Goodwill job placement specialist works with local business to find employment that fits each veteran’s skill set.

In 2011, under a previous HVRP grant, Goodwill placed 52 homeless veterans into jobs. “We are grateful and excited to be able to continue this program,” said Patty Fuchs, President and CEO of Goodwill of Central Illinois. “We have been serving local veterans for three years under this grant and we look forward to continuing this important work. These men and women deserve all of the resources we can provide.”

Goodwill of Central Illinois is a non-profit organization that provides job training, career and vocational services to veterans, individuals and families who are working to better their lives. Revenues from the sale of donated or recycled items support the Vocational Services programs of Goodwill.  For more information visit www.goodwillpeo.org or call the Administrative Offices at (309) 682-1113.

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