In the News
Goodwill Starts New Advisory Council
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (GICT) with their board of directors sought input on implementation of their new Advisory Council which included members of the community representing area businesses, government and entertainment plus religious and educational leaders.
Board Director Joe Farmer opened the first meeting on Thursday, April 3, and Goodwill President Jerry Davis followed with an overview of Goodwill’s mission and how the new Advisory Council plays a crucial part in making this mission a reality.
The flow of ideas is so important to a community organization such as Goodwill, and so often it is taken for granted that people involved in the system have all the answers.
The Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable (ATCRR) spoke at the luncheon focusing on the workforce re-entry of disadvantaged people with criminal backgrounds. They have been critical in engaging and sustaining relationships with stakeholders around this critical issue.
A first person testimonial was presented at the luncheon from an individual who has had to face these very complicated issues of finding gainful employment after being released from prison. She expresses the second chance given to her to be successful which she is, and more people with this barrier too, can be successful if they were given a chance.
Two important questions were then posed to the leaders at the meeting:
- What strategies do you think would assist Goodwill in placing people with criminal backgrounds into employment?
- What policies at your company currently prohibit or encourage people with criminal backgrounds from getting interviews or hired?
Often time community leaders bring up a concept that has been overlooked by the people involved in the process. Goodwill and ATCRR truly need input and ideas and appreciate any advice received.
Recently, President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress took an important first step towards slowing the rate of criminal recidivism. With the signing of the aptly named Second Chance Act of 2007, the nation will provide comprehensive and coordinated services to help ex-offenders reintegrate and become productive members of society.
Efforts of Goodwill to hire and place people with a criminal background include:
- Hiring - open to interviewing and hiring people with a criminal background
- Client Services - in 2007 GICT served 937 people with criminal backgrounds in Workforce Development Services
Goodwill serves on the Reentry Roundtable and does background checks, helps consumers obtain photo ID, provides employment related skill training, helps locate employment, provides case management, reinforces attachment to work and job retention, makes referrals and offers ongoing staff training.
Research shows that seven out of 10 people released from jails and prisons each year will commit new crimes within three years. New ideas could help stem the tide of this chronic failure in the system.
Get involved by contacting Goodwill Industries of Central Texas and help us by being a part of the Advisory Council where very real issues in our community could use real solutions.
April 2008