South L.A. County employers acknowledged for providing job opportunities to Goodwill participants with barriers to employment

[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Goodwill-event.jpg” credit=”Courtesy Goodwill SOLAC” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”From left, 64th District Assemblymember Mike Gipson presents a certificate of recognition to Ben Espitia, director of Workforce Development for Goodwill SOLAC during an employer appreciation luncheon ” captionposition=”right”] About 120 people representing companies throughout Southern Los Angeles County joined together at an employer appreciation luncheon on Nov. 5 organized by Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (SOLAC). Held at the scenic Hotel Maya in downtown Long Beach, the luncheon was organized to thank employers for providing job opportunities to Goodwill SOLAC’s participants with barriers to employment.
Sixty-fourth District Assemblymember Mike Gipson, who served as the event’s keynote speaker, praised Goodwill SOLAC for its work in providing job training and placement for the unemployed, underemployed and working poor.
“I’m encouraged by the work Goodwill does day in and day out because truly you are a drum major for justice,” Gipson said. “Truly you are changing people’s lives.”
Two Goodwill SOLAC participants also spoke during the event to share how the organization helped them get back on their feet after falling on hard times. Salvador Medina expressed how grateful he is to Goodwill for helping him find steady employment after spending several years struggling to find work since getting laid off from his longtime technical job. Jeannette Chism revealed that she battled with alcoholism before enrolling in the Culinary Arts Program at Long Beach City College, where Goodwill offers employment services that helped her establish a career in the food-service industry.
Some of the employers represented at the event were 24-Hour Home Care, Alamitos Belmont Rehabilitation Hospital, Broadway By The Sea, Cambrian Homecare, Christina’s Uniforms Company, Edgewater Skilled Nursing Center, HSG Inc., Living Well Home Care, Rite Aid, Savor SMG, and Securitas USA.
For more information, visit ThinkGood.org .