BUY LOCAL
SUPPORT LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
Did you know that 90 cents of every dollar you spend or donation you make to Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana Inc. supports local jobs and employee development programs?
GOODWILL OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR:
YOUTH | JOB PLACEMENT | CONTRACT SERVICES
Have you ever felt unwanted or unneeded? Imagine a world in which you want to contribute but your skills and knowledge are insufficient. You cannot obtain a job. You exist day after day without purpose. How would you feel about that? Would you be sad? Would you be angry? Perhaps you’d be both? In an opinion piece for the New York Times, the Dalai Lama and Arthur Brooks wrote, “In America today, compared with 50 years ago, three times as many working-age men are completely outside the work force. This pattern is occurring throughout the developed world — and the consequences are not merely economic.
Feeling superfluous is a blow to the human spirit. It leads to social isolation and emotional pain, and creates the conditions for negative emotions to take root.” They go on to write, “Leaders need to recognize that a compassionate society must create a wealth of opportunities for meaningful work, so that everyone who is capable of contributing can do so. A compassionate society must provide children with education and training that enriches their lives, both with greater ethical understanding and with practical skills that can lead to economic security and inner peace.
A compassionate society must protect the vulnerable while ensuring that these policies do not trap people in misery and dependence.” In a July 2017 report, the U.S Department of Labor stated that 20,000 people in North Louisiana were unemployed. Of course, this only accounts for the people who are actively seeking work and does not account for those who have given up seeking employment. There is no easy solution to helping those 20,000 neighbors but Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana Inc. (GINLA) is doing all we can to reduce that number.
GINLA is one of the largest workforce development providers in the State of Louisiana, assisting thousands of our neighbors annually since 1926. GINLA started in the basement of Shreveport’s First Methodist Church by assisting unemployed people with disabilities find dignity and independence through the refurbishing and recycling of used goods for resale.
Today, our stores continue to be a resource for training individuals for retail jobs and for generating revenue that can be used to support our various workforce development activities. Each year, GINLA helps thousands of individuals in the 26 parishes that we serve prepare for work. Simply put, GINLA is in the business of providing employment solutions for both individuals and businesses alike.
Working together, we make our communities stronger. It is our purpose to help our neighbors find purpose through employment and by gaining employment feel valued and needed. This work to strengthen North Louisiana can only happen because of all the people that support GINLA each day through generous donations and patronage at our stores.
Thank you for your support of Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana Inc. We will continue to work each day to assist our neighbors in this community that needs a hand up to a better life. Sincerely, David Tinkis President & CEO
Workforce Numbers:
Served: 3726
Placed: 615 Retention: 77% Youth: 415 Disabled: 370 Ex-Offender: 634 Average Wage: $8.42 Average Hours: 30 per week
3 Reasons To Choose Goodwill
1. Our stores and services help change lives right here in Northern Louisiana. When you donate or purchase products at one of our stores, you’re directly impacting your community. All of the donations received stay in Louisiana. We employ Louisiana residents and use the money we make in our stores to teach Louisiana youth and adults how to keep a job.
2. We’re a nonprofi t. The only people benefi t- ing from the purchases and donations of Goodwill are our own customers, employees and program participants.
3. We’re a great place for recycling. If you’re conscious of your environmental footprint, Goodwill is a great place for you. Our gently used items are available for purchase, meaning they aren’t piled up in landfi lls.
Visit us or call today to learn more about Goodwill and our efforts to benefi t our community.
2017/2018 BOARD OF DIREC TORS
Charles C. Coleman
Chair of the Board
Gloria Washington
Vice Chair
Mike Ferrell
Treasurer
David R. Tinkis
President & CEO
Marisa Roberson
Secretary
Carolyn Tillman
Past Chairman
Lynn Cawthorne
Claire Childs
Sherron Douglas
Anita Dubois
Gayle Flowers
David Hoey
Kevin McCrary
Michael Melerine
Bonnie Moore
Brad Nichols
Dr. Karen Pendleton
Blane Skiles
Craig Toys
Dennis Wills
