National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is recognized each October, marking the importance of ensuring all people have equal opportunity to contribute their skills and talents. At Goodwill, we recognize that every Associate adds crucial value to our organization.
This year’s theme for NDEAM is Advancing Access and Equity. These are two core goals of Goodwill’s AbilityOne program. It provides individuals with differing abilities the opportunity to develop their work readiness skills through on-the-job training, education, and development. This program is designed to build confidence and expertise while preparing individuals for successful, competitive employment.
Jennifer is a Goodwill associate working within the AbilityOne program. She says her role at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick has taught her about attention to detail.
“That’s my main area, is cleaning the bathrooms really well.”
She says she appreciates the stability Goodwill and the AbilityOne program provides.
“It helped me when I separated from my husband so I could raise my children,” says Jennifer. “Overall, I’ve had a good experience with Goodwill. That’s why I kept coming back.”
On October 18, Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson recognized the work of Jennifer and the entire AbilityOne team working at FLETC during the City Commission meeting. Jason Marshall, the Executive Director of the AbilityOne program at Goodwill Southeast Georgia, accepted the proclamation reading from Mayor Johnson as he declared October NDEAM Month in Brunswick.
“The thing that we want to say as the City of Brunswick is that we are thankful for those who have committed their life to working alongside those individuals (with differing abilities), who not only prop them up but also let them know that they have soldiers in the fight, fighting along with them. We thank you for the time and effort that you and your staff have committed to that,”
You can listen to more of what the Mayor of Brunswick had to say below about the importance of equal access to opportunities in the workplace.
We are proud to partner with Brunswick and FLETC leaders to advance the important message that people with differing abilities add value and talent to our workplaces and communities.
Goodwill Southeast Georgia also operates AbilityOne contracts in Savannah and Hinesville. Stay tuned for more stories from our Associates and how we are raising awareness in those communities this month.
Interested in learning more about the AbilityOne program?
Review the training program, accepted documentation, and apply today!
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