Goodwill, West Broad Street YMCA, Step UP Savannah and the Live Oak Library Partner to help Job Seekers
(SAVANNAH, GA) A new employment resource will be available to community members
in Savannah, thanks in part to a dynamic partnership of 3 United Way Agencies and the Public Library.
Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, West Broad Street YMCA, Step Up
Savannah and the Live Oak Library, are partnering to provide employment training
opportunities with the addition of a new Job Connection Career Center.
The Job Connection Career Center is located in the West Broad Street YMCA (1110 May
Street). The grand opening will be held Monday, November 26 at 10 a.m.
The Job Connection Career Center offers many free resources and employment services to both employers and job seekers. For example, the center offers applicant screening. Employers can
provide job descriptions and the Job Connection Career Center can match qualified applicants out
of their database for the employer to interview. The center can also provide office
space for interviewing and job fairs at no charge. “The training opportunities that this
partnership will provide are a much needed service in this community,” says Peter
Dobiler, Executive Director/CEO of the West Broad Street YMCA.
Resources, technology and support services have been designed to help job seekers
secure and maintain employment. The center will be a resource for job searches,
offering help with resumes and interviewing skills, as well as a phone bank, printer,
and copier. Educational seminars will also help with job skills as well as areas such
as health and wellness and financial well-being. “With unemployment rates at historic
highs, a new career center is a bright spot and free service for people who are
unemployed,” explains Daniel Dodd-Ramirez, Executive Director of Step Up Savannah.
Job seekers can expect the Job Connection Career Center to offer resume writing
class and work with job seekers to develop interviewing skills, so that they feel
confident when they walk into an interview. There will also be networking opportunities
and job fairs, and applicants will be able to view job postings that are available in
the community. “Visitors can connect to sites in order to apply for jobs with onsite
computers,” explains Christian Kruse, Executive Director of Live Oaks Public Libraries.
“We know education is the key to lifting people out of poverty,” believes Mohsen
Badran, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire. “The goal is to
help them see their world in a different way and see what they can become. Goodwill
helps individuals meet their needs and achieve goals.”
In order to offer all these services for free, we rely on help from community
volunteers. “Volunteers are crucial,” Brenda Pollen, Interim Vice President of Mission
Services “volunteering is a great opportunity for citizens to give something back to their
community.” Call 912-354-6611 to learn how you can volunteer, train or take advantage
of the many services available at the job Connection.
About Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire
Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of assisting
people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to live independently and
become employed. The not-for-profit organization employs 550 people, provided
services to approximately 17,000 people and placed about 650 people in real jobs
in our community this year. Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire serves 33
counties in Georgia and South Carolina and operates 14 retail locations in the region.
Goodwill accepts tax deductable car donations and operates an online store at
shopgoodwill.com. For more information on Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire,
please visit www.goodwillsavannah.org.
About The West Broad Street YMCA
“The West Broad Street YMCA is one of five Heritage Y’s remaining in the country. Founded in 1942 to serve African Americans denied services during legalized segregation, the Y is currently located between Kayton and Frazier Homes. It serves as the community center for local residents providing an early learning program, after school, and summer enrichment. As Savannah’s downtown Y it is open to anyone, but its program services are focused on helping families end generational poverty.