Goodwill Southeast Georgia’s efforts to support advanced learning and employment opportunities received additional support with a grant from Bank of America.

“Goodwill’s workforce development efforts help alleviate poverty and increase economic mobility,” said Patrick O’Neil, Savannah market president for Bank of America. “Our partnership will help further these efforts and provide educational support resources for job training in the Savannah community.”

The $30,000 grant is part of the bank’s $1 billion, four-year commitment of additional support to help local communities address economic and racial inequality accelerated by a global pandemic.

“We are honored to have the support of Bank of America in delivering critical services to our community,” said Michael Winckler, president and CEO of Goodwill Southeast Georgia. “These funds will help individuals who lack access to stackable credentials and online learning. We know that access to learning and credentials is the proven solution to achieving long-term financial and family stability.”

Goodwill of Southeast Georgia has helped its community achieve economic independence since 1965 and has a proven success history. To address these needs, the Opportunity Center at Goodwill ensures individuals are poised and ready not merely to get a job but to thrive and grow in a career.

The educational support at the Opportunity Center will help remove barriers and define career goals, give meaningful training and education, and provide employment services connecting individuals to Goodwill’s employer partners.

The program will:

· Utilize existing community partnerships to reach the target populations in Savannah

· Identify readiness benchmarks to deliver individual support, meaningful education, and employment opportunities.

· Offer foundational skills through alliances with Google Digital Skills, Accenture, and Microsoft.

· Provide advanced certifications in high-demand careers through our partnership with Savannah Technical College.

· Provide fully equipped laptops to access online learning.

· Provide scholarships for testing, credentials, and post-secondary

· Utilize existing educational programs, including Google Digital Skills, Accenture and Microsoft, and post-secondary education partnership with Savannah Technical College.

“We are committed to helping individuals achieve their individual goals whatever and wherever that may be,” said Veronica Styron, director of career services at Goodwill. “We urge people ready to build a new or better career to contact the Opportunity Center at Goodwill to register for services and prepare to join the January 2021 program.”

Call or visit the Opportunity Center at (912) 446-1605 or 7220 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah.