Goodwill: Partners in Business

Thinking about making a career move in 2012? Our Good Careers Academy can help you gain an advantage!

Before enrolling in classes at a local college or university, consider this: Good Careers Academy has an 87% placement rate. That means you're increasing your income and using your skills sooner. Guess who has the advantage now!

Plus, our colloboration with Alamo Colleges allows us to provide first-class instruction with excellent wrap-around services such as intimate classes, lower tuition rates, job readiness training and individual career coaches!

Here are a few of the classes that are currently enrolling at Good Careers Academy:

Medical Assistant
Prepares the student for entry-level employment in a clinical/medical setting of a health facility.
Class Starts: March 5th, GCA Downtown Tech. Campus
Class Schedule: Monday through Thursday. 9:00am- 2:00pm
Length of Course: 36 Weeks

Computer Support Specialist
This course prepares students for A+ and Net+ exams by building on your end-user background knowledge as you acquire the specific skills to install, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair PC hardware components and systems.
Class Starts: April 16th, Bitters store
Class Schedule: Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Length of Course: 28 Weeks

For more information or to enroll in courses, call 210.924.8581. Our mission is to provide training, education and employment opportunities to start, retain, or advance careers. What career are you hoping to jump start in 2012? Tell us on our Facebook page or connect with us on Twitter.

2011 was a momentous year for everyone at Goodwill!
Last Friday, we hosted our 2012 Annual Meeting at the Pearl Stable to recap some of the successes and highlights of last year.
We are excited to report that Goodwill set a new record in the total number of people served in 2011. Not only did we help more than 51,000 people overcome obstacles to employment, but we also helped place more than 2,100 people into jobs. That translates into an estimated $46 million in annual earnings!
But that's not all. Some other notable accomplishments include...

• 639,000+ donations of merchandise or monetary gifts in 2011
• over two million shopper transactions
• Goodwill managed 15 government service contracts that yielded nearly $12 million dollars in payroll and benefits for 300 employees and their families
• Goodwill was able to help 29 families purchase automobiles at reasonable interest rates
• More than 10% of the people served in 2011 took advantage of health care services at Goodwill, including immunizations, health screenings and mammograms, offered through Goodwill's partnerships with public health providers.
• Since opening in 2009, more than 500 students have enrolled and 355 graduated from Good Careers Academy, with 87 percent of graduates being placed into jobs upon graduation.
• Recycled over 12.5 million pounds of computers, clothing, shoes and other items, over 2.2 million involved hazardous computer e-waste that was responsibly recycled.

Bob Dugas, President/CEO of Goodwill says "Not only was it our best year yet, but it's also poised us to expand on our current offerings in the coming years."
So how will you help Goodwill this year? Will it be forging a partnership between your business and Good Careers Academy to create training opportunities for students? Or could it be a monetary gift to Goodwill? It can even be as simple as taking household items to your nearest Goodwill donation station or liking us on Facebook. Whatever form it takes, your support helps create a strong foundation for us to help change lives through the power of work!

Our partner University Health Systems will be providing FREE health screenings to anyone at the following Goodwill location:

• Culebra & Loop 1604: Wednesday, February 22nd, 8:00am - 10:00am

There is no appointment necessary and we will raffle $50 in gift cards at each location. The FREE screenings are open to anyone 6 months and older and include:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol checks
• Height/Weight (BMI)
• Glucose checks (These are best done on an empty stomach)

For more information on locations or assistance, dial (210) 924-8581.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) will have FREE Income Tax Preparation at several Goodwill locations:

• 281 & Bitters
  Monday- Thursday, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.


• De Zavala & IH-10
  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Sundays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.


• Fredericksburg Rd. at Vance Jackson
  Monday - Thursday, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.


• Laredo (IH 35 at Mann Rd.)
  Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

VITA volunteers are IRS certified members who can help navigate your income tax return through credits, deductions and possible tax savings available to you. For more information, dial (210) 924-8581.

Goodwill Industries of San Antonio also serves the communities of New Braunfels, Seguin and Laredo through retail stores and job placement services.

In Laredo, this service goes an extra step with Workplace training skills such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Workplace Literacy classes. This is made possible through a partnership with Laredo Community College (LCC).

Goodwill is a satellite learning center for the ESL/Workplace Literacy Training classes, facilitated through Laredo Community College. The curriculum goal is to boost English language proficiency and overall job readiness.

The initiative, formed in March, was developed by the LCC Economic Development Board to provide work and industry-driven programs that allow adults to gain skills that will help them to be more confident and productive in the job market. The next series of classes begins in January:

• Basic ESL/Workplace Literacy starts January 9th and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Intermediate ESL/Workplace Literacy starts January 10th and meet Mondays and Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 11 a.m

If you are interested in learning more or for registation info, dial (210) 924-8581 or (800) 483-9455.