Former Chicago Cub, Chris Singleton, to Highlight Annual Luncheon
North Louisiana – Everyone has heard of Goodwill and knows the thrift stores, but many do not understand why the stores exist. During the month of May, Goodwill focuses our efforts to better educating the community on its mission and how it takes many individuals to make Goodwill Industries’ mission succeed: employees, board members, donors, shoppers, clients, students and community partners. Each one is necessary and vital to help Goodwill run smooth and effectively.
Goodwill has a whole month of activities planned including Campus Cleanout Events, an Annual Luncheon highlighting the 2023 outcomes, and a large Community-Wide Job Fair.
The month began yesterday at Grambling State University with our first Campus Cleanout Event where students and faculty lighten their loads as they moved out of the dorms and classrooms for the summer. As part of Goodwill Month, the following future Campus Cleanout Events are planned:
May 7th at University of Louisiana Monroe, 10am to 3pm
May 8th at Northwestern State University, 10am to 3pm
May 10th Louisiana State University at Alexandria, 10am to 3pm
May 17th Southern University at Shreveport, 9am to 1pm
May 30th Louisiana State University at Shreveport, 10am to 2pm
In addition to the Campus Cleanout Events, Goodwill will be hosting its 98th Community Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 16th. During the event, several business and community leader volunteers will be honored and recognized for their role in helping our mission be successful. Former Chicago Cub, Chris Singleton will be the featured keynote speaker at the event. Zoom interviews can be scheduled with Mr. Singleton on May 7th from 8am to 10:45am. Please email Lynn Stevens if you are interested in this opportunity.
This year’s businesses and individual honorees includes: Parish of Caddo, Care Free Janitorial, Johnny’s Pizza House, Healthy Blue, Freedom Church – Benny Walker Helping Hands Ministry, Highland Ministries, Ms. Vita Riner, Ms. Penny Butler, Mr. Danzel London, and Mr. Jaron Gray.
2023 Highlights includes:
- Providing job placement and training services to 2,525 individuals
- Placing 416 individuals into employment earning an average wage in excess of $12.28/hour
- Providing 397 employers with employees
- Graduating 29 youth and adults from HiSET/GED classes
- Provided employees to 343 unique employers
- Helped 9 individuals obtain post secondary credentials, including CDL’s and forlift.
- Saving more than 7,354,704 pounds of donated goods from landfills
- Providing an Economic Impact of $9,962,536 to North Louisiana
Individual tickets can still be purchased online through Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 at https://goodwillnla.org/annual-awards-luncheon/. Individual Tickets are $75/person, and table and sponsorships are also available.
Finally, on Wednesday, May 22nd, Goodwill will be teaming up with multiple companies to host a large onsite Job Fair at its newly renovated Job Center, located at 800 West 70th Street, Shreveport. More than 15 companies have already committed to be onsite during the event. The event is free and open to the public from 10am to 1pm; no appointments are necessary. If you are interested in participating in the Job Fair, please contact Darlene Robinson at 318-629-5925.
About Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana:
Founded in 1926, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is provide education, training and career services to individuals who face barriers, disadvantages or have a disability. Since 2005, Goodwill has helped 55,000 achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana’s, nine retail locations provide not only affordable goods and services, but also employment to those in need and a revenue stream to support Goodwill’s charitable mission. In addition, a wide range of business services, including janitorial and grounds maintenance, allows Goodwill to expand further employment opportunities by contracting with federal, state, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Goodwill also offers multiple job resource centers, equipped with job-search experts, computers, Internet access and telephones. Goodwill believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves this chance. For more information on Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana programs or services, or to find a location near you, visit www.goodwillnla.org.
About Chris Singleton:
Chris Singleton is a former professional athlete who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017. Following the loss of his mother in a racially motivated mass shooting, Chris has now become an inspirational speaker and best-selling author who shares his message of unity and racial reconcillisation with NFL and NBA teams, as well as multiple Fortune 500 caompanies across the country. Chris resides with his spuse, Mariana, and 3 children in Charleston, SC.